Research Narrative Essay Assignment (ENC-3311)
Assignment Description
The research narrative is an essay that conveys the "story" of your research project to
date and helps you build your final research paper.
The research narrative is similar in some respects to an annotated bibliography and
"review of literature": in other words, it involves an evaluation of sources, and calls for
formal documentation in MLA style (in-text citations and a "Works Cited" list).
However, think of the research narrative as a personal essay as well. Its overriding goal
is to tell a compelling "story" of your research project to date, from its conception,
through the research that you have completed, to its current status.
Narrative Organization (Opening, Middle, and End)
Opening (approximately 2 or 3 pages): Good narratives always start with a compelling
presentation of a problem or issue that draws readers into the "story." The research
narrative is no different. Start by presenting the problem or issue driving your project.
Make your presentation as engaging and reader-relevant as you can.
An effective opening also should address your source of interest in and connection to
the problem. The opening should state the goal of your project and present the key
question or questions that you will attempt to answer through your research.
Middle (approximately 6 pages or more): The middle section of your narrative will review
the research that you've done to date—in other words, analyze the value and relevance
of your sources, and what you've learned or haven't learned.
To be compelling, this part of the essay needs to be more than a report. It should be
detailed and probing, and engage the reader in your inquiry by demonstrating that you
are delving into the complexity of the research problem, synthesizing complex
information and different points of view.
End (approximately 1 or 2 pages): The ending of the essay should provide closure for
the reader—not necessarily a thesis or solution to the research problem, but an
indication that you have moved the project forward in a meaningful way. Typically, the
ending will evaluate how close you are to a final thesis, what you project the thesis to be,
and what research remains to be done to support it ideally and conclusively.
If your inquiry is still inconclusive and you cannot project a thesis, your ending should
include a review of questions that you still need to answer, along with plans for ongoing
research.
Grading Criteria:

A compelling opening that involves readers in your project, and makes an
effective case for its relevance and complexity.
Exploratory Essay
2

A credible and probing examination of sources that are substantial in quality and
sufficient in number.

A meaningful conclusion that projects a provisional thesis or questions that still
need to be answered, and lays out needs and objectives for further research.

Effective in-text citations and a "Works Cited" list in correct MLA style (see the
"MLA Documentation section in your Everyday Writer handbook).

Effective writing—clear, coherent, well-edited and reader-friendly.
Length: 8 pages or more (i.e., 2000 words, double-spaced, 12 pt. font).
Late essays: Essays are due in class, in printed form, on the due date.
Late essays will receive a 5% letter grade reduction for each class day late. Essays will
not be accepted more than one week after the original due date unless documentation of
a medical emergency is submitted.
Grade weight: See the "Dates and Reminders" page on the course web site.