Academic Reading and Writing Discussion

ENGL 135: Academic Reading and Writing

Research Essay (and related assignments and materials)

Word Count: 1600-2000 words

Overview of deadlines and materials you need to review:

· Watch “Starting Your Research” video series and listen to the C.R.A.A.P. method (transcript available)

· Complete Annotated Bibliography with Reflection assignment; get feedback on Wednesday July 22 and submit Sunday July 26.

· Complete Practice Assignment Three: Introduction to UVic Libraries Resources by Friday July 24

· Attend the Research Consultation on the date you signed up for, and then submit the summary of the meeting for grading by Friday July 24

· Submit your Introduction, Thesis & Outline for peer review by Wednesday July 29, and submit for comment and grading by Friday July 31.

· Research Essay with Grading Reflection due: August 10 (may change based on classroom poll results).

· Final Assessment (Revision with Grading Reflection) due: August 17.

Please do not skip assignments. Each one is designed to help you complete the major Research Essay assignment.

Research Essay overview:

Research is at the foundation of all work that goes on at a university. What’s more, it is a crucial part of the life-long learning educated people undertake when they encounter an important new subject or issue. Writing a research essay offers you an opportunity to become an expert on a topic of your choice and to develop an effective argument on that topic. In the process, you will learn skills that will be important to advanced work in university classes.

And note that there are a number of employability skills you gain from writing a paper like this:

· Project planning;

· Logical organization and critical thinking;

· Developing ideas and articulating them effectively;

· Research skills;

· Interacting with professionals (e.g. library staff, Centre for Academic Communication);

· Creative and critical thinking skills.

The ability to create a thesis, find reliable information, and defend your position is a major skill set.

Your final research essay assignment will be the culmination of all the work you have done over the course of the term in ENGL135. Thus, you should expect to bring analytical, rhetorical, and stylistic as well as research skills to bear on this project.

Choosing your topic:

To begin with, you need to identify a broad research area that interests you. Please choose a subject from this list:

· Immigration

· Wellness and Health

· Education

· Student Mental Health

· Ocean and Biodiversity

Note that it is possible for you to work on a topic that doesn’t fit neatly with any of the subjects listed here – but you must have instructor approval for that topic before proceeding with your research.

Note that a research area or subject isn’t the same thing as a topic. It’s up to you to find a controversial or debatable issue related to the general research area around which to focus your research. How will you discover such a topic? You could simply think of this as a chance to explore a debate within a subject area that has always seemed interesting to you. You might have a conversation with a professor or TA about their current research and the topics that seem compelling to them. You might have come across big questions or exciting debates in other university classes. You might consider exploring some high-quality periodicals for general audiences (such as national newspapers or news magazines) to find discussions of current issues that relate to the general subject. And you could even start with a question that relates to a conversation with a friend or something you read as a social media post.

Your topic needs to be controversial or debatable because your job in this essay isn’t merely to report on what others have said and written – instead, you need to take a position, argue in support of a thesis.

Your research:

Your research will be guided by your topic, and it’s possible that you will need to shift or refine your topic as your research gets underway.

That being said, there are some recommendations and requirements you should keep in mind as you conduct research related to the Research Essay project.

Recommendations as you proceed:

· Because you are writing an academic essay, peer-reviewed academic sources are likely to be the most appropriate places to find up-to-date, authoritative information and arguments.

· Any other types of sources that you rely upon for information or to represent key arguments should be authoritative and reliable. Reputable sources are likely to be high-quality newspaper articles, newspaper articles, government reports, and websites synthesizing academic or nonprofit organizations’ research. Think critically about whether a source is reputable.

· You can use other types of sources, including those that aren’t at all reputable. (For example, a tweet posted by a celebrity might be evidence that lots of people are interested in a topic although the tweet isn’t an authoritative statement of a fully-developed argument.) But such sources need to be used very carefully.

· Yes, you need to find sources that offer information and even arguments that support your thesis. It’s important to note, though, sources that claims you think are wrong or information that contradicts your conclusions can’t be ignored. Seek out sources you disagree with and think about how you can push against and disprove them in your essay. (In fact, sources you disagree with can be really helpful when you’re trying to clarify your own arguments!)

REQUIREMENTS:

Your Research Essay must cite (in the text of your essay AND in your Works Cited/References list) a minimum of four (4) sources.

· At least two (2) of these sources must be peer-reviewed academic sources;

· Up to two (2) can be other reputable sources;

· You may NOT use dissertations or book reviews as sources for this assignment.

Let me briefly explain these requirements further. You will probably use more sources than four – and that’s fine. You may wind up using more than three peer-reviewed sources, and that’s okay. The sources that will be appropriate for you to use depend on your topic. In your Research Consultation, whoever you meet with (me, a TA, or a CAC tutor) will give you advice about the sources you need.

Audience:

Imagine that the audience for your essay comprises university students from a variety of faculties. Please do not consider your instructor as your audience and do not assume your audience knows a lot about your topic. You can only assume that they have common knowledge (e.g. humans are bipedal). You are to use a formal style. (Note that this does not mean using passive voice, complex phrasing, or elevated vocabulary at the expense of clarity.)

Checklist:

When you have finished writing your paper, be sure to go through the following checklist before submission:

· Does your essay develop a thesis?

· Have you adequately defined terms used within your argument?

· Did you explain your argument fully enough?

· Have you taken into consideration the values, beliefs, and opinions of your audience?

· Have you written in an inclusive and culturally sensitive style?

· Have you acknowledged and refuted opposing arguments?

· Have you supported your claims with evidence?

· Have you established scholarly credibility through your effective use of language?

· Have you documented/cited all information that was not your own?

· Have you been fair to those who occupy a range of positions on your topic?

· Have you constructed logical arguments?

· Have you avoided logical fallacies?

· Have you provided your readers with adequate background information?

· Have you presented your points in a clear and concise manner and organized them understandably?

· Have you included the grading reflection?

Submission format for your Research Essay:

You are expected to submit the paper as a .docx or .pdf file using either the MLA or APA formatting instructions for research papers. Each documentation style also provides exact guidelines for spacing, margins, and other formatting information. Please follow these guidelines.

Rubric:

This rubric contains detailed information about the research and writing expectations for your final paper. Please read this rubric carefully: your grade depends on it.

Note that your ability to express your ideas in writing is assessed based on this rubric: https://www.uvic.ca/humanities/english/undergraduate/resources/firstyeargrading/index.php

90-100:

The thesis statement clearly, concisely, and memorably states the paper’s purpose and argument. The thesis maybe one or several sentences, but it is engaging and thought-provoking. The writer has left no doubt as to what the argument is and how the writer will prove their argument. The introduction is engaging and forecasts or previews the structure of the paper. The paper follows appropriate formatting guidelines for research papers in the student’s field. There may be more than the required number of sources, and all sources used are extremely well-chosen, relevant, and incorporated. The writer is in control of their sources at all times. Claims are developed in ways that will convince the intended audience agree with the author’s overall argument. There are no or very few noticeable errors at the sentence level; expression is clear and perhaps even stylish, memorable, or eloquent. The writer demonstrates logical and subtle sequencing of ideas (a 100% paper will show a level of sophistication unexpected for a first year student) achieved through well-developed paragraphs and excellent transitions. All sources are correctly cited in a recognized format (e.g. APA) parenthetically and in the bibliography.

85-90:

The thesis statement clearly and concisely states the paper’s purpose and argument. The thesis may be one or several sentences, but it is thought-provoking. The writer leaves the reader in no doubt about what the argument will achieve. The introduction is well-organized and forecasts what the reader can expect in the rest of the paper. The paper follows appropriate formatting guidelines for research papers, as per the chosen documentation style. There may be more than the required sources or the sources, and all sources used are relevant, appropriate, and well-handled. Claims are developed in ways that will persuade the intended audience to generally agree with the author’s overall argument. There may be some sentence-level errors, but none of them impede comprehension. The writer demonstrates logical sequencing of ideas that is assisted by the deft placement of transitions. All sources are correctly cited in a correct and relevant format parenthetically and in the bibliography.

80-84:

This paper demonstrates aspects of the above two descriptions, but there may be more errors in language use and mechanics than in an A+ or A level paper. The sources are relevant, and there may be more than the required, but not every quotation or paraphrase is well-integrated into the argument (with lapses limited to one or two instances). Claims are developed in ways that will persuade the intended audience to acknowledge or even agree with the author’s overall argument. There may be some issues with the development and sequencing of ideas, but these problems are neither distracting, nor do they impede reading. Rather, these are small problems that simply bar a strong paper from achieving a higher level in the “A” category. This is still an excellent paper that is argued, written, and supported impressively well.

73-79:

This paper demonstrates aspects of an A- paper, but there are enough errors in language use and mechanics to distract the reader from what is being communicated. The sources are relevant and there may be more than required, but not every quotation or paraphrase is well-integrated into the argument (with lapses limited to two or three instances). There may be an inappropriate reliance on direct quotation rather than other strategies for presenting information from sources (paraphrasing and quotation). There may be some issues with the development and sequencing of ideas, but these problems are neither distracting, nor do they impede reading. Claims are handled in ways that will convince the intended audience to acknowledge the author’s overall argument is reasonable. As these errors accumulate, the grade will be reduced. This is still a very good paper that is argued, written, and supported well. The paper is cited and formatted properly following a recognized format (MLA or APA). The style of writing is almost always appropriately formal a piece of academic writing although there may be the occasional lapse.

70-72:

The idea presented in the thesis statement is clear, but expression may be wordy or unfocused. The introduction provides insight into the paper’s direction but may have errors in language usage, organization, and mechanics. The student has included the required number sources but may not exhibit control over the sources or may not integrate the sources effectively. There is very likely inappropriate overreliance on direct quotation. The paper is cited and formatted properly in a recognized format (MLA or APA). The writer demonstrates a sensible sequencing of ideas, but there may be lapses in logic or at least gaps that aren’t filled by transitions or effective paragraph development. Claims are not always handled in ways that will convince the intended audience to acknowledge the author’s overall argument is reasonable. The expression is more than competent. The style of writing is mostly appropriate for a piece of academic writing, but there are notable lapses.

60-69:

The thesis is unfocused but shows promise. Similarly, the entire paper shows promise either in the organization or expression of ideas, but the claims may be undeveloped and insufficiently supported, or the argument might not be relevant or convincing. While a minimum of six sources are cited, and at least three of those are peer-reviewed academic sources, the paper may not use relevant sources, or the sources are not integrated effectively into the argument. The paper attempts to follow a recognized format (MLA or APA), but there are obvious citation and formatting errors. A 69 indicates the student has achieved a satisfactory result, but as the errors in development or logic or written expression add up, and overwhelm the reader, the overall grade may be reduced to a C- level grade. Sentence-level writing is generally correct and competent, but the style is uninteresting or somewhat inappropriate.

50-59:

The thesis is unfocused and confusing. The introduction provides insufficient contextualization for the argument. The ideas in the paper are not relevant or may be inaccurate. The claims may be problematically underdeveloped (lacking supporting evidence) or inappropriately over-developed (excessively redundant). The student does not use relevant sources or the required number of sources. Sources are not handled well or cited accurately (although all sources used are listed in a Works Cited or References list). The paper attempts to follow a recognized format (MLA or APA), but there are numerous, serious citation and formatting errors. There are numerous errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. The style is inappropriate to the reader or topic. Some or all of these problems may result in a D level grade.

Fail:

The paper does not offer a thesis. It might merely report on research or simply fail to present a coherent, centralized argument. Little or no evidence is offered to support the argument being presented. The paper is actively hostile to or inadvertently insults the intended audience. If sources are used in this paper at all, at least half are inappropriate, unauthoritative, or inaccurate. The author sometimes profoundly misunderstands or misrepresents material from sources. The organization seems to a significant degree haphazard or arbitrary. Numerous and consistent errors of grammar, spelling, punctuation, diction, or syntax hinder clarity or even basic communication. Some sentences are incomprehensible.

In the event that an assignment earns a failing mark, the student will be given one opportunity to completely rewrite the paper on a different subject prior to the end of term. This rewrite can be submitted for marking on condition that the writer attend several meetings with the instructor AND the Centre for Academic Communication to strengthen the writer’s skills. The meetings are not optional. If the second paper does not show significant improvement, the failing grade will remain.

ENGL 135: Academic Reading and Writing

Research

E

ssay

(

and

related

assignments

and materials)

Word Count

: 1600

–

2000 words

Overview of deadlines

and materials you need to review

:

·

Watch

“Starting Your Research” video series and

listen to the

C.R.A.A.P

. method

(transcript

available)

·

Complete Annotated Bibliography with Reflection

a

ssignment

;

get feedback on

Wednesday

Ju

ly

2

2

and submit

Sunday

Ju

ly

26

.

·

Complete

Practice Assignment Three

: Introduction to UVic Libraries Resources by

Friday

Ju

ly

2

4

·

Attend the Research Consultation on the date you signed up for

,

and the

n

submit the

summary of the meeting

for grading by

Friday

Ju

ly

2

4

·

Submit your

Introduction, Thesis

& Outline for peer review by

Wednesday July

29

,

and

submit for comment and grading by

Friday

July 3

1

.

·

Research

E

ssay

with

Grading Reflection

due:

August

10 (may change based on

classroom poll results)

.

·

Final Assessment (

Revision

with

Grading Reflection

)

due:

August 17

.

Please

do not skip assignments

. Each one is designed to help you complete the major Research

Essay assignment.

Research Essay overview:

Research is at the foundation of all work that goes on at a university. What’s more, it is a crucial

part of the life

–

long learning educated people

undertake when they encounter an important new

subject or issue. Writing a research essay offers you an opportunity to become an expert on a

topic of your choice and to develop an effective argument on that topic. In the process, you will

learn skills that

will be important to advanced work in university classes.

And note that there are a number of employability skills you gain from writing a paper like this:

?

Project planning;

?

Logical organization and critical thinking;

?

Developing ideas and

articulating them effectively;

?

Research skills;

?

Interacting with professionals (e.g. library staff

, Centre for Academic Communication

);

?

Creative and critical thinking skills.

The ability to create a thesis, find reliable information, and defend your

position is a major skill

set.

Your final research essay assignment will be the culmination of all the work you have done over

the course of the term in ENGL135. Thus, you should expect to bring analytical, rhetorical, and

stylistic as well as research sk

ills to bear on this project.

ENGL 135: Academic Reading and Writing

Research Essay (and related assignments and materials)

Word Count: 1600-2000 words

Overview of deadlines and materials you need to review:

 Watch “Starting Your Research” video series and listen to the C.R.A.A.P. method (transcript

available)

 Complete Annotated Bibliography with Reflection assignment; get feedback on Wednesday

July 22 and submit Sunday July 26.

 Complete Practice Assignment Three: Introduction to UVic Libraries Resources by Friday

July 24

 Attend the Research Consultation on the date you signed up for, and then submit the

summary of the meeting for grading by Friday July 24

 Submit your Introduction, Thesis & Outline for peer review by Wednesday July 29, and

submit for comment and grading by Friday July 31.

 Research Essay with Grading Reflection due: August 10 (may change based on

classroom poll results).

 Final Assessment (Revision with Grading Reflection) due: August 17.

Please do not skip assignments. Each one is designed to help you complete the major Research

Essay assignment.

Research Essay overview:

Research is at the foundation of all work that goes on at a university. What’s more, it is a crucial

part of the life-long learning educated people undertake when they encounter an important new

subject or issue. Writing a research essay offers you an opportunity to become an expert on a

topic of your choice and to develop an effective argument on that topic. In the process, you will

learn skills that will be important to advanced work in university classes.

And note that there are a number of employability skills you gain from writing a paper like this:

? Project planning;

? Logical organization and critical thinking;

? Developing ideas and articulating them effectively;

? Research skills;

? Interacting with professionals (e.g. library staff, Centre for Academic Communication);

? Creative and critical thinking skills.

The ability to create a thesis, find reliable information, and defend your position is a major skill

set.

Your final research essay assignment will be the culmination of all the work you have done over

the course of the term in ENGL135. Thus, you should expect to bring analytical, rhetorical, and

stylistic as well as research skills to bear on this project.