{"id":600,"date":"2017-11-21T15:40:39","date_gmt":"2017-11-21T15:40:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-ecc-collegecomposition\/chapter\/course-long-research-project-materials\/"},"modified":"2017-11-21T15:40:39","modified_gmt":"2017-11-21T15:40:39","slug":"course-long-research-project-materials","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-ecc-collegecomposition\/chapter\/course-long-research-project-materials\/","title":{"raw":"Course-long Research Project Materials","rendered":"Course-long Research Project Materials"},"content":{"raw":"
Instructor note: I have students work on one extended research project through the entire course, building in various related essays (like the Source Evaluation Essay), projects (like the Annotated Bibliography), and staged drafts along the way. \u00a0Below are all the assessment instructions for each stage of the actual research essay. \u00a0Depending on the length of the term, I sometimes split up the initial drafts into three stages: 750 words\/ 1500 words\/ 2250 words.<\/div>\n\u00a0\n

Discovery Draft<\/h2>\nA discovery draft is a great opportunity to figure out what you know, and what you still need to find out, in order to build a real research essay.\u00a0 This is a very informal assignment, and what you submit will not be judged in terms of length, grammar, presentation, or even content.\u00a0 I simply want to see that you have spent one solid hour<\/strong> working on your research project.\u00a0 This quiz will record your time.\n\nEveryone's submissions will look very different, and that's fine.\u00a0 Remember, this is primarily to serve your own needs, so decide for yourself what your top priority is right now.\n\n\u00a0\n

1000-word Draft<\/h2>\nWord count is the name of the game, here.\u00a0 If the document you submit reaches 1000 or more words, then you'll get full credit for the assignment.<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0 If it doesn't, you won't get any credit.\n\nThis assignment is intended to build directly off of the other work you've already done in preparing to write the Research Essay.\u00a0 You're welcome to incorporate any text you've already written during the Discovery Draft, any of the discussion forums we've done so far, or any other assignment for this class.\n\nI will encourage you to be keeping some kind of notes to yourself as you work, in terms of citation.\u00a0 You don't have to have complete in-text citation yet, but you'll thank yourself later if you include which source you're using when you use it. Putting notes like (Source 1) or (McMillan source) is fine.\u00a0 Or you can go ahead and do the whole MLA in-text citation, if you prefer.\n\nSince this is a working draft, feel free to stop at certain points and make notes to yourself.\u00a0 Skipping around in the order of things is perfectly fine, too.\u00a0 Just put something like \"insert more research about population changes here\" and keep rolling.\u00a0 It helps if these notes are a different color, font, or size than the rest of the draft, just so you don't get confused.\n\nI won't be reading these for content, only to check that they reach the assigned word count.\u00a0 If you have questions about anything you've written, please note them at the top of the draft or message me about them separately.\n\n\u00a0\n

2000-word Draft for Peer Review (as a Discussion Forum)<\/h2>\nInstead of submitting your draft to a dropbox, we'll be sharing it in a discussion forum.\u00a0 You'll be getting comments from your group members on your draft this time.\n\nThis discussion assignment has 2 graded components, and 2 due dates.\n\nThe 2000 word draft will be due Monday.\n\nYour replies to ALL other members of your group will be due the following Friday.\n\n\u00a0\n\nWord count is the name of the game, here.\u00a0 If the document you submit reaches 2000 or more words, then you'll get full credit for that component of the assignment.<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0 If it doesn't, you won't.\n\nDrafts are supposed to be a mess, so don't worry too much if yours isn't perfect yet.\u00a0 Yes, you'll be sharing them with several other people next week, but theirs will be messy, too.\u00a0 You'll have a very sympathetic audience, believe me.\u00a0 Don't worry about the formalities of editing or formatting yet.\u00a0 In-text citation isn't necessary, either, but I would like to see SOME indication of sources as they are used in the draft.\u00a0 Putting notes like (Source 1) or (McMillan source) is fine.\u00a0 Or you can go ahead and do the whole MLA in-text citation, if you prefer.\n\nSince this is a working draft, feel free to stop at certain points and make notes to yourself, or ask questions of the people who will be reading it.\u00a0 Skipping around in the order of things is perfectly fine, too.\u00a0 Just put something like \"insert more research about population changes here\" and keep rolling.\u00a0 It helps if these notes are a differentcolor, font, or size than the rest of the draft, just so we don't get confused.\n\nUnlike earlier drafts, we will be sharing this version with others for Peer Review in the next module.\u00a0 While this is still considered a rough draft, it should have a little more polish to it, since you've had time to comb through the versions you've already done for a bit of refinement.\n\nNo late work will be accepted for the rough draft posting.<\/strong>\u00a0 If you don't have a draft that reaches the minimum word count before the deadline, I encourage you to go ahead and submit what you have.\u00a0 You won't get credit for this assignment, but you will be eligible to get feedback from others next week, and earn points for reviewing theirs.\n\n\u00a0\n\nYou've been assigned to a group based on the Peer Review Sign-up Sheet you all completed recently.\u00a0 Click the link to remember who's in your group.\u00a0 The peer review responses for ALL group members will need to be submitted before midnight, FRIDAY.\n\n\u00a0\n\nYou are not required<\/strong> to comment directly on your group members' drafts, though you are welcome to.\u00a0Please use the \"Comment\" feature rather than changing their text in the essay body, so that it's clear where your comments appear.<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0 To comment using Google Docs, highlight the passage you'd like to comment on, and right-click your mouse.\u00a0 You will see the option for \"comment\" to appear.\u00a0 (This is what I do when I grade your essays.)\n\nYou ARE required<\/strong> to complete the following questionnaire for all of your group members who submitted a draft on time.\u00a0 Reply to their post with the answers to the following questions.\n\nReviews can be completed, even if you didn't submit your own draft.\u00a0 Reviews are half of the point value for this assignment.\n

PEER REVIEW QUESTIONNAIRE<\/h3>\n
  1. After reading your partner's draft, do you feel that the introduction was effective? \u00a0What specifically made it effective? \u00a0What could be changed to make it more effective?<\/li>\n\t
  2. Overall, what is your general impression of this draft? Did you find this essay interesting and engaging? Please explain. \u00a0Also, how could the writer improve the draft, generally speaking? \u00a0How could it be expanded to meet the final page requirement? \u00a0Please offer at least two specific suggestions.<\/li>\n\t
  3. Do you consider this draft to be persuasive (meaning that it makes a clear, logical argument)? Please explain. \u00a0If you don't feel this draft is persuasive, what specific \u00a0suggestions do you have for the writer to make it more so?<\/li>\n\t
  4. Looking carefully, find at least two confusing sections of the draft. This may be at the word, sentence, or paragraph level. \u00a0For example, perhaps you found an incorrect word or odd punctuation, or maybe a few sentences are awkward or too long. \u00a0Describe why you found each of these particular sections confusing and offer concrete suggestions to help clarify the writing.<\/li>\n\t
  5. What is your favorite aspect of this draft and why? \u00a0What was the most interesting thing you learned by reading this draft?<\/li>\n\t
  6. What aspect of this draft do you feel needs the most attention and development before it is finished? \u00a0Why do you feel this way?<\/li>\n\t
  7. Comment on the use of sources in this draft. \u00a0Does the draft have clear in-text citations in every place it seems to need them? \u00a0If not, point out a couple of spots that will need them before the final draft. \u00a0Did you feel convinced by the authority of the sources used? \u00a0Point to one or two areas of the paper where more explanation about the sources, or context of the material quoted\/paraphrased, could be used.<\/li>\n\t
  8. Any other comments? \u00a0Please include them as well.<\/li>\n<\/ol>

    \n

    Final Draft<\/h2>\nBy now, you should have a pretty good idea of what the research essay needs.\u00a0 But here's a recap of the most important requirements:\n
    • Present a persuasive thesis, which takes a stand on a particular issue and attempts to bring readers into agreement with that thesis.<\/li>\n\t
    • Be in the range of 2500-3000 words.\u00a0 A little more is fine, but must meet that minimum threshold to be considered successful.<\/li>\n\t
    • Utilize at least 7 outside sources, of any type.\u00a0 Those sources should be high-quality and present the best information or opinions available on the matter at hand.\u00a0 At least one of those sources should adopt a viewpoint which is different from your thesis.<\/li>\n\t
    • Include at least 2 visual elements: 1 chart\/table\/graph & 1 photo\/image\/drawing.\u00a0 Those visual elements should include captions as well as explanations in the essay of the text, and be properly cited.<\/li>\n\t
    • Follow a clear structure designed to have the most positive impact on your thesis.<\/li>\n\t
    • Follow MLA page formatting and citation guidelines (in-text and Works Cited).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\u00a0\n\nYou have a lot of leeway for tailoring these essays to your individual subject matter's needs.\u00a0\u00a0 The primary goal is to be persuasive, and whatever supports that goal is up to you.\n\n\u00a0","rendered":"
      Instructor note: I have students work on one extended research project through the entire course, building in various related essays (like the Source Evaluation Essay), projects (like the Annotated Bibliography), and staged drafts along the way. \u00a0Below are all the assessment instructions for each stage of the actual research essay. \u00a0Depending on the length of the term, I sometimes split up the initial drafts into three stages: 750 words\/ 1500 words\/ 2250 words.<\/div>\n

      \u00a0<\/p>\n

      Discovery Draft<\/h2>\n

      A discovery draft is a great opportunity to figure out what you know, and what you still need to find out, in order to build a real research essay.\u00a0 This is a very informal assignment, and what you submit will not be judged in terms of length, grammar, presentation, or even content.\u00a0 I simply want to see that you have spent one solid hour<\/strong> working on your research project.\u00a0 This quiz will record your time.<\/p>\n

      Everyone’s submissions will look very different, and that’s fine.\u00a0 Remember, this is primarily to serve your own needs, so decide for yourself what your top priority is right now.<\/p>\n

      \u00a0<\/p>\n

      1000-word Draft<\/h2>\n

      Word count is the name of the game, here.\u00a0 If the document you submit reaches 1000 or more words, then you’ll get full credit for the assignment.<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0 If it doesn’t, you won’t get any credit.<\/p>\n

      This assignment is intended to build directly off of the other work you’ve already done in preparing to write the Research Essay.\u00a0 You’re welcome to incorporate any text you’ve already written during the Discovery Draft, any of the discussion forums we’ve done so far, or any other assignment for this class.<\/p>\n

      I will encourage you to be keeping some kind of notes to yourself as you work, in terms of citation.\u00a0 You don’t have to have complete in-text citation yet, but you’ll thank yourself later if you include which source you’re using when you use it. Putting notes like (Source 1) or (McMillan source) is fine.\u00a0 Or you can go ahead and do the whole MLA in-text citation, if you prefer.<\/p>\n

      Since this is a working draft, feel free to stop at certain points and make notes to yourself.\u00a0 Skipping around in the order of things is perfectly fine, too.\u00a0 Just put something like “insert more research about population changes here” and keep rolling.\u00a0 It helps if these notes are a different color, font, or size than the rest of the draft, just so you don’t get confused.<\/p>\n

      I won’t be reading these for content, only to check that they reach the assigned word count.\u00a0 If you have questions about anything you’ve written, please note them at the top of the draft or message me about them separately.<\/p>\n

      \u00a0<\/p>\n

      2000-word Draft for Peer Review (as a Discussion Forum)<\/h2>\n

      Instead of submitting your draft to a dropbox, we’ll be sharing it in a discussion forum.\u00a0 You’ll be getting comments from your group members on your draft this time.<\/p>\n

      This discussion assignment has 2 graded components, and 2 due dates.<\/p>\n

      The 2000 word draft will be due Monday.<\/p>\n

      Your replies to ALL other members of your group will be due the following Friday.<\/p>\n

      \u00a0<\/p>\n

      Word count is the name of the game, here.\u00a0 If the document you submit reaches 2000 or more words, then you’ll get full credit for that component of the assignment.<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0 If it doesn’t, you won’t.<\/p>\n

      Drafts are supposed to be a mess, so don’t worry too much if yours isn’t perfect yet.\u00a0 Yes, you’ll be sharing them with several other people next week, but theirs will be messy, too.\u00a0 You’ll have a very sympathetic audience, believe me.\u00a0 Don’t worry about the formalities of editing or formatting yet.\u00a0 In-text citation isn’t necessary, either, but I would like to see SOME indication of sources as they are used in the draft.\u00a0 Putting notes like (Source 1) or (McMillan source) is fine.\u00a0 Or you can go ahead and do the whole MLA in-text citation, if you prefer.<\/p>\n

      Since this is a working draft, feel free to stop at certain points and make notes to yourself, or ask questions of the people who will be reading it.\u00a0 Skipping around in the order of things is perfectly fine, too.\u00a0 Just put something like “insert more research about population changes here” and keep rolling.\u00a0 It helps if these notes are a differentcolor, font, or size than the rest of the draft, just so we don’t get confused.<\/p>\n

      Unlike earlier drafts, we will be sharing this version with others for Peer Review in the next module.\u00a0 While this is still considered a rough draft, it should have a little more polish to it, since you’ve had time to comb through the versions you’ve already done for a bit of refinement.<\/p>\n

      No late work will be accepted for the rough draft posting.<\/strong>\u00a0 If you don’t have a draft that reaches the minimum word count before the deadline, I encourage you to go ahead and submit what you have.\u00a0 You won’t get credit for this assignment, but you will be eligible to get feedback from others next week, and earn points for reviewing theirs.<\/p>\n

      \u00a0<\/p>\n

      You’ve been assigned to a group based on the Peer Review Sign-up Sheet you all completed recently.\u00a0 Click the link to remember who’s in your group.\u00a0 The peer review responses for ALL group members will need to be submitted before midnight, FRIDAY.<\/p>\n

      \u00a0<\/p>\n

      You are not required<\/strong> to comment directly on your group members’ drafts, though you are welcome to.\u00a0Please use the “Comment” feature rather than changing their text in the essay body, so that it’s clear where your comments appear.<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0 To comment using Google Docs, highlight the passage you’d like to comment on, and right-click your mouse.\u00a0 You will see the option for “comment” to appear.\u00a0 (This is what I do when I grade your essays.)<\/p>\n

      You ARE required<\/strong> to complete the following questionnaire for all of your group members who submitted a draft on time.\u00a0 Reply to their post with the answers to the following questions.<\/p>\n

      Reviews can be completed, even if you didn’t submit your own draft.\u00a0 Reviews are half of the point value for this assignment.<\/p>\n

      PEER REVIEW QUESTIONNAIRE<\/h3>\n
        \n
      1. After reading your partner’s draft, do you feel that the introduction was effective? \u00a0What specifically made it effective? \u00a0What could be changed to make it more effective?<\/li>\n
      2. Overall, what is your general impression of this draft? Did you find this essay interesting and engaging? Please explain. \u00a0Also, how could the writer improve the draft, generally speaking? \u00a0How could it be expanded to meet the final page requirement? \u00a0Please offer at least two specific suggestions.<\/li>\n
      3. Do you consider this draft to be persuasive (meaning that it makes a clear, logical argument)? Please explain. \u00a0If you don’t feel this draft is persuasive, what specific \u00a0suggestions do you have for the writer to make it more so?<\/li>\n
      4. Looking carefully, find at least two confusing sections of the draft. This may be at the word, sentence, or paragraph level. \u00a0For example, perhaps you found an incorrect word or odd punctuation, or maybe a few sentences are awkward or too long. \u00a0Describe why you found each of these particular sections confusing and offer concrete suggestions to help clarify the writing.<\/li>\n
      5. What is your favorite aspect of this draft and why? \u00a0What was the most interesting thing you learned by reading this draft?<\/li>\n
      6. What aspect of this draft do you feel needs the most attention and development before it is finished? \u00a0Why do you feel this way?<\/li>\n
      7. Comment on the use of sources in this draft. \u00a0Does the draft have clear in-text citations in every place it seems to need them? \u00a0If not, point out a couple of spots that will need them before the final draft. \u00a0Did you feel convinced by the authority of the sources used? \u00a0Point to one or two areas of the paper where more explanation about the sources, or context of the material quoted\/paraphrased, could be used.<\/li>\n
      8. Any other comments? \u00a0Please include them as well.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        \nFinal Draft<\/h2>\n

        By now, you should have a pretty good idea of what the research essay needs.\u00a0 But here’s a recap of the most important requirements:<\/p>\n