TEXT & MEANING (SPRING 2019)
Text & Meaning Final Paper
Your final paper will count 40% towards your final grade. You will conduct selfdirected research and write up your findings.
Guidelines
Write a Research Paper of 1200-1500 words in academic writing style (APA) on
the topic, “Finding Meaning in a Favorite Text”. Your paper should:




Introduce and summarize your favorite text
Describe your initial impression of the text (why did you like it?)
Analyze your favorite text using two sets of analytical lenses
(e.g. intrinsic analysis, postcolonialism, feminism, etc.)
Conclude with how you currently feel about your chosen text
This Paper Aims to Get You To
 Think critically and analyze a text using tools learned in the course
 Make value judgments and develop a clear sense of argument
 Present complex ideas in a clear, coherent and concise manner
 Engage with academic sources, including your textbook
 Master the skills of formal undergraduate reading and writing
 Practice referencing an academic paper
Detailed Instructions
 Include four appropriate concepts you have learned in this class and
define them in your essay (e.g. patriarchy, bourgeoisie, hybridity, etc).
Underline each concept the first time you use it.
 Submit a ‘References’ page with a minimum of five references as part of
your work.
 At least one of the sources must be an academic journal.
 Use at least two relevant readings from class, including the textbook
(Eaglestone, 2009). Do not forget to properly cite the text you are analyzing
in addition to all supporting texts.
Due Dates
Deliverable
First Draft
Peer Review
Final Paper
Due Date
TUE APRIL 30
THU MAY 2
MON MAY 6
TEXT & MEANING (SPRING 2019)
Peer Review
The aim of the peer-review exercise is for you to get a glimpse into another
student’s research process and help your peer write a better final paper.
Please make sure the language in your peer-review is grammatically correct and
check for spelling and formatting as your advice is more credible and easily
understood if your peer-review itself is well written.
The peer review will be graded based on whether the student reviewing the work
has accurately evaluated the following aspects of the paper:
Criteria
Whether the writer has fully answered prompt
The thesis, structure and flow of essay
The correctness of grammar and mechanics
The use of sources and correctness of citations
Marks
25
25
25
25
Your final research paper is due on Turnitin (your lecturer will confirm the time
of submission). It will be evaluated according to the rubric below.
Final Paper Grading Rubric
Exceeds
Expectations
Meets Expectations
Below
Expectations
Introduction
20
14
6
·
Hooks the reader with a compelling
and accurate introduction
·
Introduces and summarizes the text
in a succinct way.
Explains what is to come and is
tailored for the ensuing analysis.
An engaging
and
compelling
introduction;
summary is
succinct and
tailored for
analysis.
Introduction
is appropriate
but not as well
developed;
introduction is
somewhat
engaging and
provides an
indication of
the ensuing
analysis
Poor or minimal
introduction; too
general; summary
reveals little or
nothing about the
writer’s analysis
Honest Self Reflection
20
14
8
·
Aims for insights that push against
clichés or regurgitated truisms
·
Shows a personal struggle with
conflicting values, alternative
explanations or theories, or
unsettling new ideas
·
Shows personal growth through
examination of questions and
complications
In depth and
thoughtful
self-analysis;
evidence of
personal
struggle;
articulates
the process
of thinking,
questioning
and
·
18
18
16
16
12
12
10
10
Some selfanalysis and
evidence of
personal
struggle;
moments in the
writer’s thought
and reflection
process come
through
8
6
4
4
2
2
0
0
Little or no
evidence of
personal struggle;
does not show the
writer’s thought
processes and
reflections
TEXT & MEANING (SPRING 2019)
reflecting
over time
Connection with Reading
30
27
·
Shows how or why the writer’s
thinking became more complex as a
result of engaging with the assigned
readings
·
Effectively applies and demonstrates
understanding of relevant concepts
·
Brings in relevant perspectives from
earlier or outside reading
Connection
to the
reading
shows a
more
nuanced and
complex
exploration
of the
favorite text,
concepts
used
correctly and
elegantly
Connects
analysis to the
reading in some
way; the
connection may
be
unsophisticated
or superficial,
concepts used
correctly
Little or no
incorporation of
content from the
assigned reading,
few concepts used
or concepts used
superficially or
incorrectly
Quality of Writing
10
7
4
·
Has clear, graceful, grammatically
coherent sentences
·
Is effectively organized with effective
transitions (reader is never lost)
·
Writing is almost completely free of
usage or punctuation errors
Clear,
graceful,
wellorganized,
error-free
prose
9
8
21
18
15
6
5
Mostly clear
and graceful
prose; some
unclear
moments or a
few errors
2
3
1
0
0
Has many unclear
or awkward
passages; meaning
marred by
distracting errors;
non-standard
formatting
A creative approach, original insight,
or a fun surprise in a paper that
stays within the bounds of the
question(s) and directions given
Paper stood
out; it was
fun to read!
·
Response is thorough
Directions were
followed and
question(s)
responded to
with adequate
thoroughness
Paper is not within
the bounds of the
question(s) and
directions given;
response is not
adequately
thorough
Referencing
10
7
4
·
Varied and
correct
referencing.
Total
6
3
6
·
8
7
9
10
9
8
12
Creativity, Originality, Surprise!
Correct referencing in text. Varied
referencing – paraphrasing, schools
of thought and direct referencing.
Corresponding list of references.
9
24
6
5
5
Directions were
followed and
referencing
carried out with
adequate
thoroughness
4
3
3
2
2
1
1
0
0
Referencing is not
correctly carried
out
/100