General Project Guidelines: As the culmination of your ENG 102 experience, this assignment is a dense research paper—with a complementary in-class presentation—that explores a chosen and narrowed topic selected by the student (and approved by me) that critically explores a comprehensive thesis and presents a nuanced, well documented argument. The paper must demonstrate a solid understanding of conducted and applied research, synthesis of focused original argumentation with outside critical voices, and a solid understanding of required format. You can choose any academically relevant topic you like as long as it fits within those requirements and is approved by me (so really think about what you’d like to examine about the world). This document must be typed (12-point Times New Roman font), double-spaced, with a correctly formatted MLA Works Cited page or APA References page. It must contain at least SIX total outside sources (THREE of which must be scholarly). You may also include some primary research/sources (surveys, interviews, etc.) if applicable, but it is not required, and it will not replace the mandatory outside secondary sources. If you do choose to include something like that, though, let me know ASAP so we can discuss it.

Research Plan Discussion: You should come to class on April 18th ready to discuss:

Who [is involved with and/or affected by what you’re researching and proposing]?

What [are you researching and proposing / what is your argument/point]?

Where [is this subject happening and/or where will it happen]?

When [is this happening and/or will it happen]?

Why [is this happening / are you interested in exploring and possibly resolving this subject]?

How [will you go about researching for and finalizing your argument/paper]?

Also consider

Details about the source

1. Author/work you want write about:
2. Genre:
3. Something it makes you think or feel:
4. A recurring theme or symbol that intrigues you:
5. Another work this one reminds you of:

Questions that arise

What do you wonder about? Write three questions that you have about your work/author that could help you better understand the who, what, when, where, why, or how it is significant:

Search terms you could use

Write keywords for searching, based on what you know, and what your questions are about:

Research Proposal: Basically, this is a formal document that covers everything in the Research Plan Discussion, including Works Cited citations and explanations for at least TWO sources (what makes them reputable/useable and how will they help your argument)?

Research Log #4: You should submit a Microsoft Word document by April 26th that addresses:

1) How has your argument/thesis changed since the discussion/proposal, if it has, and why/how? 2) Likewise, what do you now hope to discover/prove/accomplish with your research? 3) An annotated bibliography for all SIX sources that includes:

* The proper works cited dictation for your sources. * An explanation (1 – 2 sentences) of why each source is authoritative and appropriate. * An explanation (1 – 2 sentences) of how each source will contribute to your argument.

4) A description of how you’ll present your findings to the class during your presentation (and why you’ve chosen to do it that way).