Assignments

Reading notes (100 points)

The purpose of this assignment is to promote critical reading and class discussion. You have to be prepared to participate in the class discussion and workshops. Over the one semester, you will keep a reading blog. For each assigned reading assignments, write a reading notes in two paragraphs (250-500 words).  In these writings, you will collect your reactions, observations and critical reviews about the reading we are doing for the class.  Blogs will be graded on a weekly basis, so it will be necessary to keep up.

In the first paragraph, you will summarize the key points of the reading. I want to see here that you've done the reading and understand what it is about. Do not simply write down chapter headings or guess from the first and last paragraphs. Discuss/explain one point that you think is important or significant theories or topics and write a reflection in the second paragraph. You can discuss your own experience in writing experiences or can relate with other subjects.

Reading response should be posted before the class on the due date. Please title the posts with RR #1, RR #2, etc.

6 RR posts x15 points each = 90 points

1 Reflection paper 10 points

RESEARCH PROJECT

Topic Memo (40 points)
Topic: For the research paper project, you will choose an argument topic that interests you. It is important to find a topic not only interest you but your audience.  If it isn't important or interesting to others, you will have a hard time with the persuasive report especially; it is hard to persuade someone who is disinterested.
*  Audience: Your audiences will be classmates and your purpose is persuading them. Be critical and consider about your audiences when you write the paper.
In your topic memo, you will describe what topic/issue you want to investigate this semester in your primary and secondary research. Your memo (please use memo format) should be about 1-2 page(double-spaced, 12 pt Times New Roman). In it, you should consider the following questions:

·         Why do you want to research this topic/issue?

·         Why do you think this topic/issue needs to be studied more? What isn't known about it?

·         Why is this a good time to study this topic/issue?

·         Why are you the person to research this topic? What skills or access do you have that might help?

·         Who would be interested in what you find out? How will you make this topic appeal to your classmates?

·         Will you be able to find sources (other academic research) on your topic pretty easily?

You should convince me that your topic is something you should write about in an academic paper.

Research Journal (60points)

For the entire semester, you will write a research journal for all the sources that you might use for the paper. A critical part of research is the ability to gather and evaluate sources. For your research paper, you will need more than 12 sources. You will submit your research journal 3times during the semester (4 sources x 3times = 12 sources) Research journal will be consisted of 3 parts.
1.      Part A

 In this part, you will list all the possible sources you will use for your paper.  From the list,    classify your list depending on your topic and present what each section is. You can use color-code or add annotation on each list. You don’t have to write down something, list the title of articles or citation (MLA).
2.       Part B
Print out your articles and read. After reading, write a short summary of each source in your
own words. I’m not asking you to copy and paste the abstracts from the articles. If your articles are too long (longer than 15 pages), you can just add those pages you plan to use. If you choose books, just photo copy those pages you will use. Highlight the sentences and take notes.
3.      Part C

Write down your reflection (do you dis/agree with it, how you might expand upon the idea) and thoughts based on what you done at part A and B. You should consider and evaluate the reliability of your sources and examine how it fits in into your paper. You can develop your thesis statement from those works. This work will help you write research proposals.
   **You must use dividers between sections.

Research proposal (80points)

Based on your chosen topic, you will plan for a research writing project. And you will compose 4-5 page formal research proposals (double-spaced, 12 pt Times New Roman). The research proposals are designed to organize your thoughts to help you solidify your topic and move into the next stage of the research process: writing the research paper. In your research proposal, you will make an argument for why you want to research your topic, why you are the person to do the research, and why research on your topic has value. You will also explain what research has already been done. You will want to be as concise and to the point as possibly while still demonstrating your interest in the topic.

There are several core elements that you have to include in your research proposal.

·         In the introduction, identify your topic issue and research questions. Describe your purpose and significance of research.

·         Provide a review of literature. You’ve already done your research; include 12-15 sources for your research proposal.

·         Define your primary sources and secondary sources and present overview of key information. 

·         Explain how you will you collect information. Identify a research plan and method.

·         Delineate a detailed timeline. Explain how you will schedule your work. 

·         Present a working thesis. Your thesis can be changed in your research paper.

Research proposals will be evaluated on entire organization and how compelling an argument you make for why you want to and should research your chosen topic.

Research-based argumentative paper (100points) and presentation (20 points)

 You will compose a research paper which is the most important goal in this course. The intent of the paper is creating and completing a research project which involves generating a research question, engaging in critical/analytical reading, developing an argument with evidence and documenting sources appropriately. So far, we have a plan and prepared for our final results: research paper. Based on your research proposal, write 8-12 page (double-spaced, 12 pt Times New Roman, 2,000-3,000 words) research paper including minimum 12 sources from your research proposal sources: primary sources and secondary sources.

 Define your audience, purpose, and thesis in your research paper. Consider these questions:
    ·       What argument do I want to deliver to my audience?
    ·       What is my goal and purpose of the paper?
    ·       What is my thesis and is it effective and strong to persuade the audience?
    ·        Did I answer the questions that I asked on the research proposal?
Remember, your paper is an argumentative essay to persuade your audiences. While you are writing your paper, focus on each body paragraph and overall organization. Use a diverse organizing pattern and you may consider write paragraphs by using these: chronology, description, cause/effect, pro/con, comparison/contras and etc. And use your sources for supporting details effectively. When you cite your sources, make sure to write appropriate MLA in-text citation to avoid plagiarism. This paper will be evaluated how you make a clear and firm thesis and make a convince arguments. I will also looking for an integration of sources with proper citation.

Before turning in your final draft, you will give a presentation to the class about your research as a way getting feedback from your peers. This presentation will be less than 10minutes including Q&A. You have to be prepared to give clear presentation to your classmates using powerpoint or handouts. You will be charged with reporting on your topic in detail, findings, your own analysis, and its significance. And I expect you to participate in workshop actively to give feedbacks and comments to your peers (Your participation will be graded). Presentation will be 20 points. 

 
This I believe audio essay (60 points)

For this assignment, you will write a source-based multimodal essay that addresses an issue of your choice. You will analyze your readers in terms of their needs, interests, values, beliefs, and knowledge about the issue. For the project, you will choose appropriate material including written texts, personal experience, and, if appropriate, field research (scholarly journals, image, video, and sound). Then you will synthesize material from chosen sources and provide clear, well-supported discussion or argument for their readers in multimodal form. You will be required to read out loud your essay and record it. You recorded essay will be posted on your blog.

This I Believe
 Based on National Public Radio’s This I believe series, you will create an audio essay about a principle or idea in which you believe. You can talk about how principles and ideas originate and then spread among individual and cultures. Before you start the project, check This I believe essays to get some ideas (thisibelieve.org). For this assignment, you will be expected to combine traditional personal essay and the This I believe series to include research about the cultural origins of a principle or belief. In terms of research, you will evaluate and choose appropriate material from a variety of sources, including written texts, personal experience, and, if appropriate, field research, to help audience learn more about the idea or principle. Then synthesize material from chosen sources and provide a clear, well-supported discussion of the principle or idea.
  In addition to the origin of the principle or idea (or in the case that sources on the origin cannot be found), you can research how the principle or idea has changed over time, how it is viewed in cultures outside their own, or how the media portrays the principle or idea. You might also conduct field research by interviewing family members if the principle or idea is one held by the family or by interviewing members of a community, congregation, or association who also share the belief. For instance, students might focus on their beliefs about democ­racy or the “right” to bear arms and investigate the origins thereof. Or they might present on their beliefs about appropriate treatment of women and investigate how attitudes toward treatment of women have evolved over time or how they differ among various cultures. 
  Regarding purpose, make it clear that the goal of this assignment is to inform, not to argue — and especially not to convert the audience to believe in the principle or idea. The purpose of NPR’s This I Believe series is to foster dialogue and respect for differing beliefs. Furthermore, the audience for this assignment can be narrow (such as your class) or broad (such as your campus as a whole or even NPR listeners) — you decide. Regardless of the scope of the audience, you should flesh out the audience’s needs, interests, values, beliefs, and knowledge about the principle or idea they are researching. 

Your essay should be between 500-700 words. That’s less than 5 minutes when you read aloud at your natural pace.