Research Assignment Instructions

The Researched Argument Paper

The research paper is a kind of capstone assignment in English 1, a chance to combine your interests and ideas with the skills of writing and research you have strengthened week after week this semester. Before you embark on your research journey, you need to choose one of the prompts below– Prompt A or Prompt B. Each prompt calls for an 8-10 page research paper with a minimum of six sources, but the questions asked are different. While Prompt A is open-ended and calls upon you to define your own research question and approach to answering it, Prompt B sets forth a clear structure to your inquiry and may offer a more predictable strategy for developing and organizing your paper.

Prompt A

Choose a current specific issue that sincerely interests you and write an insightful argumentative paper on that topic. I highly recommend that you choose an issue that is specific, detailed, and multi-faceted. Whatever you choose, you will use your own insight as well as scholarly research to establish the critical and creative terms of your inquiry. Ideally, your approach will problematize, or challenge established views of the topic you have chosen. While this is a research paper, it is still a thesis-driven, argumentative essay. I want to read your thoughts about the issue(s), and I want you to convince me of your opinions. The topic you choose and the position you take should invite debate and differences of opinion. Your paper should not merely report facts; rather, it should show that you can use facts and critical thinking to persuasively support your position on the issue. It may help for you to write your own prompt in order to keep your essay focused and argumentative. If you do this, please make sure that it is open-ended and invites ideas, not just facts.

Prompt B

If a less-open ended prompt appeals to you, consider using the problem-solution model for your project. A problem-solution paper asserts that X is a problem and that Y is the best solution to that problem, offering evidence to show that X is a problem and to prove that Y is the best solution to it. In this assignment, your purpose is to persuade your reader that a specific and significant problem (of your choosing) exists. Then, you should identify at least three potential solutions to the problem, evaluate and/or defend these solutions (using refutation), and persuade your reader to accept your evaluation of which solution (or solutions) is/are most useful. In response to Prompt B, be sure to do the following in the body of your essay:

1. Establish that a specific problem exists. Examine the causes of the problem. Provide detailed support to prove that the problem is significant. Explain to readers how this problem affects them. Be sure to present only ONE problem.

2. Present three solutions to the problem. Describe and explain the solutions. Provide detailed support to persuade readers that your solutions are effective. Begin with the least effective approach (the first solution could even be a solution that you think is ineffective) and end with the most effective solution.

3.Use refutation to evaluate the effectiveness of the solutions.You might concede when

evaluating the first solution that it is ineffective. This is a good way of criticizing a contemporary popular solution that you find ineffective. Then, in the refutation of your second solution, you might concede and refute the critics. Presumably, in your refutation for your final and best solution, you will focus on defending your solution against objections. The general movement of refutation should be as follows: 1) identify and summarize objections to your solutions; 2) then, concede (partially); and/or 3) refute the objections.

For Both Prompts

What Ill Be Thinking When Evaluating Your Researched Argument:

Is your thesis clear, complex, but unified, and strong?

Does your thesis statement offer an insightful, dynamic point of view (one that does not merely echo one of your sources)?

Does the rest of your essay follow the map outlined in your thesis paragraph?

Is your research relevant and strong? Are you using it accurately to support your argument?

How well do you use quotations?

Are your introduction and conclusion effective? Memorable? Distinctive?

Do you stay on topic? Is the writing organized and not repetitive?

Are you using the elements of counter-argument or refutation to deepen the thinking about the topic?

Are there too many grammar/usage/structure errors that distort or confuse meaning?

Do you properly cite and document your sources using MLA in-text citations and a works cited page?

Have you used at least three scholarly/professional sources and three popular sources?

Crucial Information

The research process is unpredictable and ideas often evolve over time. Dont be surprised if your original ideas change and get more detailed and specific . The direction of your own arguments and opinions may surprise you! For example, someone may intend to write about driverless cars and how they will improve city traffic, but after the research process, she may come to the conclusion that driverless cars can only safely reduce traffic if they are used widespread for fleet usage going at low mph.

It is imperative that your argument be specific: a claim about reality TV shows would be better than one looking at television programming, but an analysis of The Voice and one of its imitators would be the best of the three.

Topic selection is crucial to the eventual papers quality. Some topics will require you to think, to stretch, to make a difficult case; those are the good ones. Others, sometimes very tempting, will seem obvious, free of challenge; those you should avoid, as theyll very likely produce bland papers. Students often choose absurdly straightforward thesis statements (such as that smoking is unhealthy and should be discouraged); and, because such claims dont need to be proven, the research paper flops.

Dont expect the rough draft to be perfect. You should be prepared to make major changes between the rough and revised drafts.

Sources

This assignment requires that you incorporate a total of six sources, minimum, into your paper, including one scholarly source. Of course, you are welcome to have more than six sources! But what is a scholarly source? A scholarly or academic source could be an article from a scholarly journal, a chapter from an academic book (i.e., a book published by an academic press), or statistical data from a government database. A non-academic source would be an article from a magazine, newspaper, or website; an editorial from a newspaper, a film, a popular book, a music album, etc.

The annotated bibliography assignment will help you engage your sources early enough to get something meaningful out of them, or, in some cases, to decide that the source is not worth using in your paper. As you already know from previous assignments, the annotated bibliography is a scholarly tool that will help your project stay on track and help me to see your progress toward a viable project. AND

For this assignment, you will need to present a proposal for the topic you are intending to use for your end-of-semester research project. You can find the instructions for that assignment

Your research proposal will need to include a couple of things:

• Topic
• Question that you want to answer/Problem you are addressing
• Sample Source (You can use the inspiration article or another source)
• Working Thesis

Unlike other completion assignments, you will have to complete this one to move on with your research project. This may mean more than one submission to get it right, so consider starting early on this and giving yourself enough time so that you can complete it and begin working on your research project as soon as we are done with Unit 3. You are encouraged to use my office drop-in hours to help in your search for the right topic – I love brainstorming

!INCLUDE BOTH ASSIGHMENTS

Assignment Overview

This lab represents our third exploration of our personal definitions of heroism. You began with Lab Exercise #1 – Defining Heroism #1, in which you developed an initial, personal definition of heroism. Following that, you refined your definition as part of Lab Exercise #7 – Defining Heroism #2. In this lab, you’ll return to those definitions to consider how your understanding has evolved further and how the various materials and exercises we’ve covered in this class have helped shape that definition.

You will use your definition from this lab as part of your Initial Post for Discussion #5 – Definitions of Heroism and Vision.

Assignment Directions

For this activity, please answer the following questions in a submission of 200-300 words.

What was your definition of heroism from Lab Exercise #7 – Defining Heroism #2? Summarize your definition of heroism from that lab in 1-2 sentences. This is once again a good opportunity to practice the skills we reviewed in Lab Exercise #6 – Summaries!

Think about your definition from Lab Exercise #7 and the work you’ve done since then. Based on the thinking and reading you’ve done since Lab Exercise #7, what parts of your definition of heroism remain the same? What parts have changed?

Include in your responses to the above questions a discussion exploring how at least one of the materials we’ve covered in this class influenced your definition. For this part, you can use a reading, including non-fiction or fictional texts. Refer to ENGL 1B Reading Calendar for a reminder of the texts we’ve read so far. You can also reference a class video or discussion forum or a particular assignment. The goal of this portion is simply to encourage you to explore how your work and reading in this class has influenced your definition.

In Lab Exercises #1 and #7, you explored an example of someone who could be seen as a hero. Do you still see that person as a hero or has your view changed?

Finally, do you have any new questions about heroism or ideas you’re looking forward to exploring more?

Adding video in one sec

Your should be good in excel comparisons

PART 1

Post Discussion: Chapter 1 and Reply to a Classmate

Watch this video.

Then, post your thoughts (hit the reply button below) on Sport Nutrition and whether or not it applies to the topic in the video. Be very specific and compare to one of the specific topics covered in the video. After your post, reply to at least one of your classmates original post (hit the reply button below their original post). Do not reply to a reply.

20 points for your original post and 10 points for replying to your classmates.

As a reminder on your replies:

10 points for your replies to a classmate original posts, not on a reply they left for another classmate. (Click “Reply” at the bottom of their main post):

Your reply to a classmate must be at least 3 substantial sentences. The items below are example of brief, vague or “throw-away” response statements and will not receive credit. It is okay to include them in addition to your 3 substantial sentences, but not instead of your 3 substantial sentences.

1. • • • Hi David.
       • Nice to meet you.
       • I like your post.
       • Have a good semester.
       • I posted the same thing.
2. Your replies must be written in proper sentence for with emojis, emoticons, or text abbreviations (e.g. LOL)
3. Your reply must relate to what they posted, not only what you posted.
4. Your reply must be respectful, but may disagree.
5. If you post that you agree, disagree, like, or dislike something in their post, you must state what the item was and why you felt that the way you did.
6. Vague or short replies will receive very little credit.
7. Asking a question does not count as one of your 3 sentences, but you may ask a question in addition to your required response

PART 2-

Slide Practice

Background: What To Do and Why

Our semester long project is a presentation on a health topic you will choose. I provide a template for each week that you will need to work with. I want you set-up for success so we will practice making slides for fun first!

This week you will create a slideshow about yourself using the templates I offer you here. This will make sure you know how to use and share PowerPoint or Google Slides for the project.

This way, we can see if you are comfortable making slides and adding slides to a presentation. You will create slides each week adding each week together to create your Public Health Masterpiece Project!

Instructions

LOOK at both TEMPLATES and MY EXAMPLE to see the flow.

You will create a 3 slide presentation using the headings and prompts in my templates. You can use my background or create your own slide. I want to make sure you can edit slides and take slides and add them to a presentation. You will be doing this each week so this is just fun practice.

1. Read my example presentation below
2. Open the template steps one (2 slides) and two (one slide)
3. Fill out the indicated areas on the templates. Not sure if you’re correct? Look at mine to compare! Make sure to leave the prompts in. Just remove the red instructions.
4. Join the three slides into a presentation. Why are we practicing this? Because each week you will be 2 -3 slides to the slides from the week prior, so you need to know how to add slides to an existing presentation.
5. Upload the final 3 slide PowerPoint Presentation or if using Google slides, upload AND share with me. (make sure to give me permission-details on how to in “Need Help”)
6. If you do not have PowerPoint (ppt) you can use . It is free here.

Example

.Download Here is my example presenta

Notice how all the red instructions are gone! And I put the two templates together. If you can do these things, you are prepared for the assignment!)

What You Need to Accomplish

1. Use the two templates to create 3 slides of your own
2. Follow the template exactly
3. Join the slides as a 3 slide presentation
4. Upload the .pdf, .ppt or google slide link
5. If google slides, make sure I have permission to view it

PART 1-

Your Assignment

We’ve probably all heard the expression, “I don’t know about art, but I know what I like.” In this discussion, we’re going to put that to the test.

In this discussion, you will introduce yourself to your classmates and learn about the kinds of art they like (and hate). This is your opportunity to begin to get to know each other.

Please follow the steps below, and keep your post to around 400 words.

This Discussion is worth 50 possible points. Please read the instructions and Grading Rubric before you begin.

Due Date

• Your contributions to this Discussion are due by Sunday, Feb. 8 at 11:59 p.m
• Your responses to posts by at least two different classmates are due by Sunday, Feb. 15 at 11:59 p.m.

You must post in the Discussion before you can read your classmates’ posts.

In addition, I will use this assignment to determine who is present and active in ART 100 and who is not. As such, you need to post by the end of the first week of the semester, but don’t worry, this is an easy one.

Step One: Post in the Class Discussion

Your post is worth 40 possible points. Please use the first “reply” box you see below the instructions.

Part 1 – Introduction

Start with your name and your major, if you have one, and write a sentence or two about who you are and where you’re going.

Then state the reason you’re taking ART 100, and what you hope to learn. FYI, I already know you need the transfer units.

Part 2 – Your Creative Journey

In this section, you will discuss your creative journey and how art has impacted your life. Has it?

In what area are you the most creative? Is it in art? Another area? Describe one or two skills or activities that you are especially good at, and explain how they show off your personal brand of creativity.

Don’t limit yourself to visual arts, but think of any activities that you do especially well. By activities, I mean active, not passive or receptive pastimes such as listening to music, reading, gaming, etc. These can include sports, music, writing, public speaking, computers, math, gardening, working with animals, working with people, building things, or anything else you can think of.

You may find it helpful to read about

Part 3 – Most Loved Art

Do you have a favorite work of art, a favorite artist, a favorite style?

Select a work of art that means something to you and explain why it matters. It can be something you made, something a friend or family member made, something you saw in a museum, something you saw walking around town, or something you spotted online. It can be anything, really, including something other people may not consider art. Think out of the box. Surprise us.

What about it do you like the best? The way its made? The message?

Part 4 – Most Hated Art

Find a work of art that you really can’t stand, and explain why you hate it so much. Do you think your opinion of it could ever change? What would it take to change your mind? Briefly explain.

Posting Images

Some of you may want to post images. This is not required, but it can be fun. If so, check out this link for a how-to:

Step Two: Respond to Your Classmates

Each post is worth 5 possible points (10 points total)

Next, review the posts of your classmates. Post clear and thoughtful responses to the posts of two different classmates (at least 100 words each). Be sure to use the correct reply box.

Respond to the response. If someone asks you a question or provides some other insight, please respond thoughtfully and courteously.

Earn a High Grade

This Discussion topic is broadly framed and there is no right or wrong answer. Instead, you will be graded on the thoroughness and clarity of your post.

1. Before you begin, please read all the instructions.
2. Write concise and complete sentences that clearly convey what you intend to say.
3. Include your own insights that support your key points.

Assignment Feedback

I care very much about the quality of the work you submit and I will carefully read, evaluate, and provide feedback to your post within approximately one week after you submit responses to your classmates (usually sooner).

As you can imagine, this takes time, and I appreciate your patience while I assess your work.

Click this link for instructions on how to

Plagiarism Warning!

All student submissions are rigorously checked for the inclusion of AI generated text. This includes your initial post and responses to your classmates. You will receive zero points for every assignment you submit which includes any AI generated content, with or without citation. This includes, but is not limited to, using generative AI tools (e.g. ChatGPT, Grammarly) to ideate, pre-plan, edit, translate, or otherwise create material you claim to be solely your creation. Do your best work, but keep in mind that it doesn’t need to be perfect. I will give you a fair score for submitting your own, original work, even if it has flaws, because it tells me that you care about learning and that you are trying.

For more information please read the

Submission Resources

PART 2

Philosophy?What is Philosophy?

This week, I want you to think about what you expect to get out of this class. After doing the readings, imagine that a friend or family member has asked you why you are taking a philosophy class. They may be wondering what philosophy is, what it is good for, or why you would want to learn about it. In this discussion board, answer them by explaining what you’ve read from our first two readings.

Since you need to post two responses each week, make one of your posts play the devil’s advocate. Now YOU can be the inquisitive friend or family member who isn’t yet convinced that philosophy is worthwhile. Challenge one of your classmates to answer/defend the importance of philosophy.

Finally, what do you really think? Is philosophy worthwhile? Why or why not? (I promise I won’t mark you down for being honest! 😉

PART 3-

Journal 2

Overview

In the Module, we have been looking at the connection between reading and writing. For this assignment, we are going to apply that connection. We are testing the hypothesis that reading gives us something about which to write. TheJournal is going to be a practice run for your first Response, which is due next Sunday (Feb. 15). Writing a brief practice response should give you the chance to figure out what you do and do not understand before submitting that assignment.

In this module, we also learned, or reviewed, that argument is everywhere and that we read to inform our ideas. Yes, we have opinions and thoughts of our own, but when we read others’ ideas, our thoughts might modify slightly, or extensively, as we see a new perspective. Conversely, the information we read might simply reinforce what we already believed. In either case, we read these ideas and perspectives to enhance our writing and our credibility.

(Photo by Felipe Souza/Unsplash)

Instructions:

To begin this assignment, compose your Journal 2 answering the following prompt:

NOTE: After you click the article link below, it will prompt you to log into the library; here are the .

Library Log In:

birthday (use 6 numbers: mmddyy).

Victor R. Lee, et al., in the essay, “” offer the readers an overview of AI in the classroom and whether it is cheating. As the title denotes, Lee, et al., share some basic background information and applications. Based on that somewhat abstract summary (I deliberately made it vague so that you would have to read it!), I have a question that I would like you to answer:

What do you think? Based on Lee, et al.,’s and your own ideas, is A.I. going to improve our academic lives, or is it going to lead to accusations of cheating? Be specific in your answer and offer personal examples.

In the Journal, give the author’s full name and “Essay Title.”

Write your answer in a short paragraph (100-200 words).

Submission

You may submit/upload this assignment as a .doc, .docx, .pdf, or .txt file.

When you have composed your Journal, name and save your document, then upload the file by selecting “Submit Assignment.”

Here, you will find instructions from Canvas on how to submit both a and

Grading

Please see the grading rubric for this assignment. If accessing this course by using the Canvas Student App, you will not see the icon. Instead, please use the menu to locate the rubric.

Rubric

The associated rubric will be used to provide feedback–please be sure to review the rubric before starting and before submitting your assignment.

Your Third Essay for our class will be a Research Essay. We save the Research Essay for last because this Essay combines the skills you’ve worked on so far:

Analysis: For the Research Essay, you will be developing an interpretation of heroism as it appears in King et al’s Vision. To develop and present this interpretation, you will have to engage in analysis of King et al.’s text.

Evaluation: For the Research Essay, you will be combining outside sources into your essay. To incorporate those sources effectively, you will have to evaluate the arguments in those sources to identify which arguments will best support your own arguments.

The Research Essay is your chance to show all that you’ve learned in this class. Successful completion of the Research Essay will demonstrate your growing skill with the importance academic activities of analysis and and critical analysis.

selective focus photography of light bulbFor the Research Essay, please develop an essay answering this question: who, if anyone, is the hero of Vision? Like the topics of our previous two essays, this one is complicated: there is no clear and obvious answer. While common possibilities include Vision himself, or Virginia or Viv or potentially even Victor, there may be other characters who you might consider the hero of the graphic novel. And of course, you might argue that there is no hero at all. Again, which answer you wish to argue for is up to you.

Regardless of your answer, and in keeping with the previous essays, here’s what I’ll be looking for:

An innovative, non-obvious thesis based on your response to the prompt above, supported with outside research. A key part of successful academic writing is supporting your interpretations with the interpretations of others. The Research Essay will allow you to continue to improve in this area.

The inclusion and usage of your personal definition of heroism. Through Lab Exercise #1 – Defining Heroism #1, Lab Exercise #7 – Defining Heroism #2, and Lab Exercise #13 – Defining Heroism #3, you have developed and refined your own personal definition of heroism. I want you to use that definition in this essay! After all, if you are going to argue that a particular character in Vision is a hero, or that there are no heroes in the graphic novel, then you need to tell the reader what definition of “hero” and “heroism” you’re using. This is a required part of the assignment.

Thorough explanations of your thought process and your sources: One common mistake students make in research essays is mentioning each source just once in order to tick the box, and then spending the rest of the essay just talking about the student’s own beliefs. In contrast, an effective Research Essay will regularly bring together sources and your own interpretations. Your sources should not just be one small thing somewhere in the introduction, never to be heard from again. Instead, your sources should be, as much as possible, a regular presence in most or all of your paragraphs.

Thorough descriptions of the parts of Vision that are relevant to your argument: In this essay more than any other essay I assign, I get drafts from students that make me wonder if the student has even read the assigned text: i.e. Vision. Please make sure to describe the moments of you chosen to analyze from Vision in enough detail that even someone not in our class can follow along, and so that I can be sure that you really have read and thought about King et al.’s work.

A focused essay that writes “a lot about a little”: to answer the prompt, focus your essay on just one or two parts of the graphic novel. Don’t try to explain all of Vision. Instead, try to explore just a few carefully chosen pieces of Vision.

“Parts” can mean either one specific moment in the graphic novel (a specific scene or character or image), or one specific idea that is then supported with different moments from throughout the graphic novel. Sometimes students ask me “Do I have to write about only one scene?” The answer to that question is no. You can include multiple scenes in your essay, but if you do, all of those scenes should be linked to one single idea.