The research project is the most important assignment of the semester, combining research, persuasive writing, documentation and original thought into one product. It offers each student the opportunity to choose to explore a topic within his/her field and to offer to others the knowledge gained as well as insights especially developed by the writer. All papers must observe the ethical standards supported by the University and the English Department on plagiarism and on dual submission of papers.

The research project should develop an argument related to the relationship between a new technology and the student's major and/or career choice. Topics can include ANY technology originated within the last ten years, not just those related to the internet. A music major, for instance, might consider how the advances in cochlear implants have enabled children previously considered deaf to hear and participate in music performance. Topics should be narrowed so that they can be effectively argued in a short paper of 5-7 pages. MP3 files, as an example of a topic f r music majors, can be approached in multiple ways. Material on how they differ from WAV files--their predecessors--does NOT constitute a persuasive paper, but rather a report. Neither does a paper on music file sharing: unless further defined, the topic is too large and has been written upon exhaustively. However, an exploration of the the efffect of "lossy" technology such as MP3 on production standards for electronically distributed music could be a successful choice. So could the way that the huge success of the iPod and its imitators (as storage devices for individually selected tracks) has altered the previously dominant concept of the music "album."

GOALS

• To explore current developments in each student's career field
• To make an independent contribution to the current state of knowledge on your topic
• To develop an original thesis supported by solid research
• To incorporate a variety of sources, found both in and out of academia
• To practice online as well as library research techniques
• To employ appropriate tone and vocabulary for an academic audience
• To demonstrate mastery of APA or MLA format as appropriate

LENGTH

The paper should contain 5 to 7 pages of text, double spaced. If using MLA format, assemble final product in this order:

1. text
2. endnotes if used
3. any graphics or appendices
4. works cited

If using APA format, a correctly formatted cover page is required. Also, graphics or appendices are placed after the References page.

FORMAT--APA OR MLA

MLA is appropriate for topics in English language or literature, history, foreign languages, the arts, government, business, or any topic with unusual nontraditional sources

APA is appropriate for topics in economics, psychology, mathematics, the sciences, medicine, or any area of research where recency of data is crucial.

Engineers may use engineering format and biologists may use biology format if cleared with the instructor IN ADVANCE.. Turabian (also known as Chicago) format is NOT recommended.

REQUIRED ELEMENTS

1. a clear thesis, arguing or persuading in favor of one particular point of view
2. some original contribution to the topic (New procedure, comparison or combination or elements not joined by others, analysis of strengths and/or weaknesses of a plan or position, etc.)
3. a minimum of ten well-chosen sources
4. clear attribution of sources used for text, concepts, numbers, statistics, or graphics, either by traditional endnotes/footnotes, or by mentioning the source in the text
5. use of a high-quality printer for a polished, professional appearance

GRADING

Most important to know is that--as it says on the syllabus--you cannot pass English 302 without completing this assignment. A late paper will be penalized one letter grade for every day that it is late, unless by special PRIOR arrangement with the instructor.

In order of importance, papers will be evaluated on

• clear thesis
• original thought supported by evidence
• inclusion of both general principles and specific, concrete support for same
• selection of authoritative sources related to the topic
• documentation of sources
• powerful use of source materials, whether as quotations, examples, statistics, graphics or whatever

DUAL SUBMISSION OF PAPERS

Research papers may be submitted to two professors in the same semester under guidelines established for students by the university.
Click here to go to Guidelines for Dual Submission

REFERENCE SOURCES

Students are encouraged to seek sources in the professional and academic worlds to bolster their research. While library research may be helpful, online research will be essential for all papers, given the recency of findings on student topics. Choice of sources should depend upon their appropriateness to the topic and their credibility as experts. Sources which are clearly biased may be used judiciously: as long as that bias is acknowledged and forms an essential part of the argument of the paper.

Return to the top of this page.

Return to the Syllabus for Section H01, Spring 2007

Return to the Syllabus for Section N14, Spring 2007

Return to Joyce Johnston's Home Page