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A prospectus is a good way for me to see that you have considered your topic carefully, have the start of a hypothesis (and sometimes thesis), and are ready to develop the topic in a more complex way. I can also give you advice and guidance that will help you make important rhetorical decisions BEFORE you begin the actual paper. The prospectus is still considered an academic paper, so you must put it in the form of an essay.
You will also want to introduce some of the sources you will be using in your research essay. You will also need to turn in an annotated bibliography along with your prospectus (directions are on the following page. ) This prospectus is intended to give you a clear starting point for researching a problem or analyzing a part of our culture or community. You can use either use a community-based issue (see the following page) OR discuss an issue that is prevalent in popular culture (media, stereotypes, gender, race, ethnicity, etc. ). On the following page, I will list some possible prompts to help you get started.
Both papers (prospectus/research paper) must be completed in ML format. Ugh For the Prospectus: Part 1: Write a statement of the problem you see in the community or an analysis of the cultural issue you will be discussing. Avoid oversimplifying the Issue. Consider the impact of the problem on the community and on other communities – consider as many perspectives as you can think of. Deal with assumptions: If your view of the problem is based on assumption, you’ll need to clearly identify those assumptions and go on to say what you’re going to do to check out those assumptions to be sure they’re true. In other words, duodenum’s to inclusion without investigating the truth of those assumptions). Part 2: State the question that you will guide your research. The question must be specific enough that you will be able to provide in depth answers and analysis to the question. (For example: Do nutrition labels on packaged food influence a buyer’s purchase? ) Part 3: Describe at least ten questions that you will need to look into and research, followed by a brief explanation of why you think the questions are relevant to your topic. For example: Are the calories listed on nutrition labels based on a particular calorie diet for an average-sized person? This is a question will need to look into because there is a very big difference between a child’s calorie intake and a man’s. I believe the calorie value would either decrease or increase based on the person. This could mean the nutrition label is misleading). Part 4: You must integrate the use of at least one source in the prospectus. You can use the sources at the beginning when you introduce the issue or within the body as you discuss the questions you will be asking throughout your research.
You need to use ML format for the prospectus and the research paper. Part 5: The prospectus is not an argumentative paper. You are only presenting a problem and discussing perspectives. You should include possible solutions to the paper, but not argue for a specific solution. When you write the research paper, you will still include multiple solutions, but you are allowed to argue for one solution over another. In other words, you may want to list the solutions in your questions, but do not need to include a written analysis of those solutions in your prospectus.
Part 6: You will need to include an annotated bibliography in a Works Cited format. You should have at least one resource listed and a description of the resource. See below for an example annotated bibliography. Further Details for the Prospectus: 1 This needs to be written in ML format. 2 Use at least 1 sources 3 2 pages in length (essay format), NOT including the annotated bibliography. 4 This is a formal academic assignment. It should be written in Standard Academic English -? no slang or colloquial language. Avoid using a subjective tone (“I think,” “l feel,” or other personal examples). 5 Email it to me by Monday, March 17.
I will read it and give you feedback before you start the actual research paper. This assignment will be worth 50 points of your search paper grade, so make sure you turn it in. 6 You will not need to revise the prospectus, but my comments should help you begin your essay. DUE DATES: Prospectus and annotated bibliography Monday, March 17, 1 1:PM Research paper first draft on the Group Discussion Board and Smartening Monday, March 31, 1 1 :PM Final research paper DICE Monday, April 21, 1 1 :PM In addition: will also be available through the chat window to discuss your assignment by appointment.
This isn’t an easy assignment, and I’d like to ease any concerns you have early in the process. Please email me if you’d like to chat with me online. I need day and time preferences as soon as possible. Or, as always, you can email me. For the Annotated Bibliography: “WHAT IS AN ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY? An annotated bibliography is a list of citations to books, articles, and documents. Each citation is followed by a brief (usually about 1 50 words) descriptive and evaluative paragraph, the annotation. The purpose of the annotation is to inform the reader of the relevance, accuracy, and quality of the sources cited.
THE PROCESS Creating an annotated bibliography calls for the application of a variety of intellectual skills: concise exposition, succinct analysis, and informed library search. First, locate and record citations to books, periodicals, and documents that may contain useful information and ideas on your topic. Briefly examine and review the actual items. Then choose those works that provide a variety of perspectives on your topic. Cite the book, article, or document using ML or PAP Style. (You can consult the Norton textbook, Writer’s Reference, or the “ML” or “PAP” format folders under “Resources” from our homepage).
Write a concise annotation that summarizes the central theme and scope of the book or article. Include one or more sentences that a) evaluate the authority or background of the author, (b) comment on the intended audience, (c) compare or contrast this work with another you have cited, or (d) explain how this work illuminates your bibliography topic. SAMPLE ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY ENTRY FOR A JOURNAL ARTICLE Almost, Anne. Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life. New York: Anchor Books, 1995. Print. Lamppost’s book offers honest advice on the nature of a writing life, complete with its insecurities and failures.
Taking a humorous approach to the realities of being a writer, the chapters in Lamppost’s book are wry and anecdotal and offer advice on everything from plot development to jealousy, from perfectionism to struggling with one’s own internal critic. In the process, Almost includes writing exercises designed to be both productive and fun. Almost offers sane advice for those struggling with the anxieties of writing, but her main project seems to be offering the reader a reality check regarding writing, publishing, and struggling with one’s own imperfect humanity in the process.
Rather than a practical handbook to producing and/or publishing, this text is indispensable because of its honest perspective, its down-to-earth humor, and its encouraging approach. Chapters in this text could easily be included in the curriculum for a writing class. Several of the chapters in Part 1 address the writing process and would serve to generate discussion on students’ own drafting and revising processes. Some of the writing exercises would also be appropriate for generating classroom writing exercises. Students should find Lamppost’s style both engaging and enjoyable.
You will need to do an annotated bibliography for each of the resources you will be using in your prospectus and research paper. This will be attached to back of your prospectus in ML format AND your final research paper. Completed, the annotated bibliography should be about 2-3 pages, AND this doesn’t count toward your 7-10 page research paper. What sources are required and acceptable for the paper: 1 Two of the sources should be from the West Hills College database or library. These are scholarly, academic journals, magazines, newspapers, and books. Under “Resources” from our homepage, you’ll find a “how-to” on both the databases and annotated bibliography). 2 Additional resources can be an online source AS LONG AS it is not a commercial website (websites ending in “corn’) unless I Okay it; “. Org” and “. Gob’ are Okay to use; “-net” websites need y permission. DO NOT use a website that pushes an agenda. You need to read through the website thoroughly before using it as a source. Wisped is not concerned a scholarly source by many instructors, so find an academic encyclopedia source from the library databases. Also, personal interviews are allowed as long as the person has authority on the issue. For example, if you are doing a paper on the lack of nurses in California, you may interview an administrator at a hospital who can give you a first hand account. Research takes time. You CANNOT wait until the last minute to begin researching and writing your essay. This is one of the reasons you turn in a prospectus and annotated bibliography prior to your complete research paper. You may use any material from your prospectus and annotated bibliography in your final research paper.
Prospectus/Research paper Ideas: 1 What are some issues in your community and how do you see people addressing them? For example, obesity in the United States, addiction, border patrol, teen pregnancy. Does the media influence any of these issues? And if they do, what is being done to resolve the problems? 2 Choose a popular culture topic (remember, analysis does not always have to be of Ritter material, but of the world around us). Here are some possible ideas: a Television: 1) Do we really watch television to “escape reality’? In what ways do producers try and remain “real’?
In what ways do they ignore reality? For this paper, you would discuss the overall of effect of “reality’ on an audience. You should pick a specific show or shows to discuss and find the research that asserts your assumptions. 2) You could also do an analysis of a show you feel is “bad” or “good. ” b Race/Ethnicity: 1) Trace the evolution of the portrayal of race and/or ethnicity in a particular medium – television, movies, art, public pace. Has it changed in your lifetime? Why or why not? Other paper topics could include 2) doing research on the nature of prejudice. What do researchers say about its nature? ) Watch two television shows, one with a largely white cast, one with a largely African-American cast. Compare how each deals with the idea of race or ethnicity. 4) Look at commercials. How do they construct a view of race? C Movies: 1) Write an essay on a director’s body of work. Choose someone who has done several films. Is there an overarching theme to their movies? How has the director contributed to film history? To American culture? ) Write an essay in which you explore issues of gender in one or two recent movies. Perhaps you can pick a movie directed by a woman and on directed by a man.
How are women represented? How are women’s bodies presented or framed? Male bodies? Do the women have strong roles, or are they limited, stereotypical roles? Do the women have good jobs and healthy lifestyles? (You can explore anything here) d Gender: 1) Write a paper in which you examine and debunk three stereotypes about gender. 2) Write an argumentative essay about certain texts that you think are harmful in terms of how they perpetuate stereotypes. ) Write a paper on daytime television. What messages do the commercials and programming send to women (and men) about women (and men)? ) Discuss events, like “Miss America”, the “Superpower”, major league sports, cultural icons, music, media, and how they affect our American culture and women, men, children. (This is a little broader – so you should let me know what you are thinking about). E Technology: 1) What single technological advance do you think has been the most important in our lifetime? Why? In the last fifty years? In the last 200 years? Ever? Do you notice a trend in this development? 3) What genealogical advances do you think have been the most harmful in our lifetime? Do these advances have advantages too?
How should we balance the strengths and weaknesses of technology: Through the free market? Government intervention? 3 Choose a more local issue. “No Child Left Behind Act”: Has it had a positive effect on our schools? A negative effect? 4 What about pedophilia and dangers of social networking websites? 5 Overcrowded prisons: What is the cost to California? 6 You can also choose a controversial issue: legalizing marijuana, lowering the drinking age, medical coverage for all American citizens, how CA should deal tit illegal aliens, the fiscal changes our country is facing, etc.
Choose a topic that is interesting to you and that you will enjoy researching. You’ll be stuck with this issue for a while. This is the topic you will be discussing in your 7-10 page research paper, so you should have a lot to say. The prospectus only needs to be 2 pages, and if you’re having difficulty meeting the page limit, you may need to rethink your topic. Prompt for the Research Paper Develop an essay in which you put your sources into dialogue with each other and with your own thoughts and analysis.
This is “going under” an issue and explaining it more carefully than what you did in your prospectus. The paper should do the following: 1 Define the problem or issue; describe the situation: the causes and effects. 2 Describe and discuss the positions of each of the perspectives involved. 3 Identify possible solutions to the problem. 4 Identify possible limitations to those solutions. 5 After going through this exploratory process, discuss what is most important, what are the critical aspects to solving or lessening the impact of the problem or issue.
You may now choose to argue for a specific solution, though you could discuss several solutions. 6 use ML format and have a omelet annotated bibliography. 7 Your final draft also needs to be 7-10 pages (not including the annotated bibliography or prospectus). 8 You should have at least 5 sources for your research paper. What you need to consider when writing this paper: 1 This is not the type of paper to rant an opinion without the support of evidence. You need to consider your research, perspectives, and audience. 2 This is not a “report”, which is solely informational.
It is also not about locating evidence that solely supports your view. (a. K. A. “I’m right and everyone else is wrong. “) Instead, this is about asking questions, conducting search to answer those questions, and letting your opinion develop out of the dialogue between your ideas and those of other scholars and citizens. First draft DUE on your Group Discussion Board: Monday, March 31, 11:PM Final draft DUE in the Dropped: Monday, April 21, 11 IMP Accessing Library Materials Login to the West Hills portal (not Advanced).