Assignment Outcomes
Students will be able to demonstrate the ability to develop theses based upon their own observations while reading original texts as well as the work of other scholars in the field.
Students will be able to apply information literacy skills developed throughout the semester.
Students will be able to apply feedback from previous assignments.
Relevant Course Outcomes
Student will be able to identify and analyze the textual, historical, and cultural contexts of works of literature through literary analysis and critical evaluation.
Students will be able to read works of literature closely and thoroughly.
Students will be able to develop insights effectively through written communication, particularly via essay.
Students will be able to identify the steps of the research process and apply information literacy skills in a variety of contexts.
Link to Assignment Introduction Given in Class
Total Length: minimum of 3000 words plus Works Cited
Citation Style: MLA (see Purdue Owl for style guide)
Requirements: follow Writing Expectations; refer to the research that you completed for your Source Scavenger Hunt
Turn In: on Google Classroom; you should turn in one document with all parts included and clearly labeled
Option: You may turn in another Library Visit Form to earn 2 extra credit points on this assignment (to earn credit, form must be completed in full). To avoid overburdening the librarians at the Research Help Desk, consider scheduling an appointment. The librarian you meet with will have more time to prepare for your appointment and you won't have to wait for assistance if they are busy at the desk.
Instructions:
First, choose one of your Mini-Essays that you wish to expand for this assignment.
THINK: What interested you the most? On which Mini-Essay topic do you have more to say? On which Mini-Essay topic would you like to do more research? On which Mini-Essay did you receive the most interesting responses?
Section Requirements
500 words (minimum)
Summarize one primary, literary text we read during the semester which you will use in your Expanded Mini-Essay
Primary texts are those we have read on the Course Schedule that are included in our textbook; thus, your primary text(s) should be chosen from the list in the textbook here
No thesis required, but summary should follow conventions of effective writing and the course Writing Expectations
Outcomes: 1) demonstrate knowledge of chosen text and 2) get summary out of your system as, after this point, it will no longer be needed
2000 words (minimum)
Identify and define an argument that is in some way related to your selected Mini-Essay
You may take your Expanded Mini-Essay in your own direction. It may expand beyond the scope of the original question.
Thesis required: thesis will be a sentence identifying the argument and providing context for it
Defend the argument
Use a minimum of three credible, academic secondary sources to support your defense (by support, this may include a source you are arguing against)
RESEARCH: Going to the library and/or using a research database (I suggest MLA or JSTOR) or other appropriate venue, find at least three credible, academic sources to help you formulate or support your ideas. These sources might be ones with which you disagree – that can help you formulate your ideas too!
Sources should be credible (thus, typically from a respected journal or book)
Sources cannot be web sites (they can be sources found in electronic databases)
Your textbooks are not included in the number of required sources
Direct engagement (quotations) from your research is required
Feel free to use a custom Library Guide.
Should follow conventions of effective writing and the course Writing Expectations
Outcomes: 1) provide evidence to support why your idea is significant; 2) identify the credibility and usefulness of sources; 3) use sources effectively without letting them overwhelm your own ideas; and 4) demonstrate correct MLA citation style
500 words (minimum)
Identify your research style and name it (examples: The Citation Miner, The Database Jumper, etc.)
Discuss this style, citing specific examples from your research process to support the name
Thesis required: thesis will be a sentence identifying chosen name of research style and a brief definition
Should follow conventions of effective writing and the course Writing Expectations
Outcome: reflect on your own research process
Works Cited
Under each citation, provide a one to two sentence justification of the choice to use that source
Reminders: You will have at minimum four sources (the literary text you summarized and the three required sources)
Outcomes: 1) demonstrate correct MLA citation style and 2) demonstrate that choices of sources are deliberate and effective