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English 102: Intermediate College Composition
Instructor: Cathy Love
Instructions for Assignment 3: I-Search Assignment
Due dates: 1st draft due (two copies) in class AND on Blackboard by class time on Monday, Feb. 15. Final draft
due Monday, Feb. 22, in class and on Blackboard. Revision (optional) due in class on Wednesday, March 31.
Overview: This assignment will give you an introduction into finding and evaluating sources. You will choose
several sources from the library and internet and narrate the process of finding these sources. The topic will be your
choice, but the purpose of this assignment is to lead you towards a topic for your research paper. Therefore, you
should explore issues related to technology and ethics. It would probably be best for you to choose something
related to your intended field of study. You should familiarize yourself with the research paper prompt in order to
begin thinking about a viable topic. You may use the topic you choose in this assignment for your research paper,
but you don’t have to.
Goals: This assignment is designed to:
1) Give you an introduction to finding and evaluating sources,
2) Help you think critically about using and finding sources,
3) Build skills you will need in future college work, in and out of this class,
4) Give you an early step in preparing for your research paper, and
5) Allow you to take an active role in researching a topic of your choice.
The Assignment:
The I-Search paper will be written in four integrated sections (you may also use sub-sections):
I. The first section of the paper tells how you came to engage in the project and to choose your particular approach.
Explain how you developed an interest in this work, what you wanted to learn, and how you began to
envision the scope of your research. If you spend a significant amount of time determining your focal point
or your approach, you might discuss the brainstorming or other processes you use along the way, and you
might also explain the development of research questions, working hypotheses, and/or interdisciplinary
connections.
II. The second section describes and evaluates some of your sources. Here you note any problems encountered
while accessing information or using specific sources. You also describe how you followed promising
“leads” in your research to find the sources that were most helpful or interesting to you—or perhaps
abandoned certain avenues when you decided they were not fruitful. In addition to evaluating your
sources, explain how you pursued your original lines of research, or changed the focus or research methods
during the course of the project.
III. The third section focuses on your major findings or conclusions. Here you provide examples, tell stories, or
argue points to explain your findings or conclusions, and explain how your findings relate to your original
assumptions or research plan. Also discuss any further research you recommend or hope to pursue in the
future. What further questions or related topics might be pursued? What further knowledge or new
conclusions might result?
IV. The fourth section explains the project’s significance for you as a researcher, describing the parts of the process
that were most challenging and/or most satisfying. Also, you’ll discuss how your work has affected the
way you look at your research work as the assignment nears completion.
V. The last section of your paper is the one formal section of the paper. Begin a new page to list your sources in
standard MLA, APA, or CMS format—or in another format that you and I agree would be appropriate for
your work.
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Requirements:
 4-6 pages (1000-1400) words
 Follow formatting guidelines in syllabus.
 You must have a total of 7 sources.
o No more than one source can be from a “.com” website.
o At least one source must be from a book (you can use just one chapter).
o At least one source must be from the library databases.
o The other sources are your choice, but you should evaluate them carefully to ensure they are
appropriate for your topic.
 You must have a Works Cited Page (not included in word count)
o All sources used in this paper must be cited in alphabetical order.
o If you quote anything, you should also use parenthetical citations.
o Follow MLA format.
Evaluation Criteria:
Your analysis will be evaluated using the following criteria:
Criteria
Goal
Analysis/Argument The writer chooses an appropriate research question and makes a compelling argument about
50%
how their knowledge regarding the topic has changed or grown. The essay shows that the
writer is beginning to consider viable ideas for his or her research paper. The essay addresses
all elements of the prompt.
Research
The writer chooses the correct number and type of sources. The sources are given enough
30%
explanation to show how they address the research question. The guidelines of the prompt
are followed.
Organization
The essay has a clear thesis and clear, argumentative topic sentences. Each paragraph
10%
contains one main idea and appropriate transitions are used to connect main ideas. The essay
covers all of the required sections.
Completeness & The paper is formatted correctly, and it contains no grammatical errors that interfere with the
Mechanics
reader's ability to understand the argument. The style is efficient and clear.
10%
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Instructions for Assignment 3: Annotated Bibliography
Due Dates: First draft due in class (two copies) AND on Blackboard by Friday, Mar. 5. Final draft due on Friday,
Mar. 12. Revision (optional) due on Friday, Apr. 9.
Overview: According to your textbook, “annotated bibliographies describe, give publication information for, and sometimes
evaluate each work on a list of sources. When we do research, we may consult annotated bibliographies to evaluate potential
sources” (Norton 112). This will be an evaluative bibliography, in which you’ll find sources for your research paper and
evaluate them in terms of their usefulness for your project. The broad topic for your research paper is to choose a topic that
relates to technology and ethics. In your research paper, you’ll evaluate a technology of your choice. You may either show how
this technology relates to your field, or explore an ethical issue related to this technology. You should, again, familiarize
yourself with the research paper prompt, in order to integrate this project into your preparation for that assignment.
Goals:
This assignment is designed to:
1) Give you scaffolding in writing your research paper,
2) Give you practice in writing to evaluate sources,
3) Give you an in-depth introduction to the sources you will be using in your research paper, and
4) Help you read your sources critically.
The Assignment:
This will be an evaluative bibliography, as described in Chapter 11 of your textbook. The purpose of the
assignment is for you to begin researching and thinking critically about your upcoming research paper. It is
intended that you will use most of the sources from the bibliography in your research paper. The bibliography will
include:
 A statement of scope, intended to introduce the topic for your research paper and show why you’ve chosen
these particular sources to research – at least 250 words.
 Bibliographic information for 5 sources – you may repeat sources used in your I-Search if they are relevant
 Complete citations, in the appropriate style for your field (APA, MLA, Chicago, CISA, etc.)
 A 2 paragraph description for each entry:
o Paragraph 1: A concise description of the work – at least 150 words for each source.
o Paragraph 2: Relevant and evaluative commentary – at least 150 words for each source.
Otherwise, you should follow the guidelines discussed in class and presented in Chapter 11 of your textbook.
Guidelines:
The assignment should:
Follow the formatting guidelines in the syllabus.
Be 1750-2000 words (since being concise is important in this assignment, it should not be over 2000 words).
Use appropriate parenthetical citations if quotes are used in the annotations.
Evaluation Criteria:
Your analysis will be evaluated using the following criteria:
Criteria
Goal
Paragraph 1:
This paragraph gives a concise and clear summary of each source, reporting the most relevant
Summary
information to the topic at hand.
30%
Paragraph 2:
This paragraph gives a critical evaluation of each source, clearly showing how and why the source is
Evaluation
useful, and showing that the writer has read the source critically.
35%
Statement of scope The statement of scope gives a viable proposal for the research paper, though it may need some
25%
tweaking, and the statement is in keeping with the sources chosen.
Completeness,
The paper was turned in on time and formatted correctly. It contains no grammatical errors that
formatting &
interfere with the reader's ability to understand the argument. The style is efficient and clear.
mechanics
10%
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Instructions for Assignment 4: Research Paper
Due Dates: First draft due in class (two copies) AND on Blackboard by Monday, Mar. 29. Final draft due on
Friday, Apr. 9. Revision (optional) due on Wednesday, Apr. 21.
Overview: Several times in class, we’ve discussed technology and ethical issues related to technology. We’ve seen
that technology often arises quickly, but ethics are slower to catch up with technology’s development. For this
paper, you will choose a technology and evaluate it. You may choose to evaluate a technology related to a field you
intend to study, or you may choose another technology you are interested in. You should evaluate the history of this
technology, including ethical issues related to technology. In other words, you will define the impact that
technology has on your field or on society, and evaluate how the technology’s ethical use should be changed, or
how the technology’s benefits outweigh its negativities.
For example, in The Truman Show, we saw how something that was perceived as harmless entertainment
led to individual ruin. We might evaluate the impact of finance and advertising in The Truman Show to examine
how these issues affect everyday lives. In addition, we might discuss the influence of television on society and
business. We could discuss the rise of television, its competition with film and growing influence of society, then
the rise of reality TV and that genre’s impact upon contemporary culture.
The Animatrix: The Second Renaissance Pts. I & II was a harsh critique of humanity’s dealings with
technology and machines. Here, we might do a further examination of the relationship between war and technology.
In addition, we could study environmental issues as related to technology.
The three films we’ve watched in class give us a broad idea of how to approach this project. You may build
your project off of the issues presented in one of the films or readings we’ve discussed in class, or come up with a
new topic to discuss.
Your paper should address four main questions:
1) How was the technology created? What need did it respond to?
2) What are the major points of interest in the development of this technology?
3) What is the contemporary debate about the technology (in your field or in society)?
4) How might your field or society modify our use of this technology in order to make it more ethical? OR How
are the negative aspects of the technology outweighed by its benefits?
Goals:
This assignment is designed to:
1) Give you practice writing the type of longer research paper that you will encounter as you move further in your
studies,
2) Allow you to think critically about technology and the uses of technology in your field,
3) Give you practice integrating research with your own words,
4) Help you deal fairly with opposing views, and
5) Allow you to use the skills you’ve learned in English 101 and thus far in 102.
The Assignment:
In this paper, you will choose a technology and evaluate its history and ethical issues related to this technology
within your field. You may also evaluate a technology outside of your field if there is another you are interested in.
You may interpret “technology” in a broad sense. You should consider the negative implications of the technology.
If you think the negative implications of the technology outweigh its benefits, you should take a strong stand to
support your claim. If you think the negative implications of the technology necessitate a change in its use, you
should make a clear argument for how the technology’s uses should be modified to make it more ethical.
Guidelines:
The assignment should:
 Follow the formatting guidelines in the syllabus.
 Be 2800-3500 words (8-10 pages).
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Include a Works Cited or references page using the appropriate citation style for the field.
Properly use parenthetical citations for all quotes and paraphrases.
Use at least 8 quotes from at least 4 sources. Sources from the I-Search and Annotated Bib. may be re-used.
Evaluation Criteria:
Your analysis will be evaluated using the following criteria:
Criteria
Goal
Evaluation
This paper clearly defines the impact of the technology on a field or on society, and evaluates
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the technology chosen for its ethical uses. The main points in the development of the
technology are clearly laid out. The evaluation shows that the writer has thought critically
about the technology, its history, and its use. A strong stance is taken on whether the
negatives outweigh the benefits or vice-versa.
Use of Sources The paper uses the required number of sources and quotes, and the quotes provide sufficient
30%
evidence to back up the writer’s argument. Multiple points of evidence are used to back up
the paper’s claims. The writer deals fairly with opposing views. The sources used are viable
academic sources that fit in with the paper’s topic.
Organization
The essay has a clear thesis and clear, argumentative topic sentences. Each paragraph
20%
contains one main idea and appropriate transitions are used to connect main ideas. The essay
answers each of the “four main questions” in a logical order, and the elements of the paper
are not intermixed so much as to impede understanding of the argument.
Completeness, The paper was turned in on time and formatted correctly. It contains no grammatical errors
formatting &
that interfere with the reader's ability to understand the argument. The style is efficient and
mechanics
clear. The paper meets length guidelines.
10%
Calvin and Hobbes, by Bill Watterson
Instructions for Assignment 5: Translation Project
Due Dates: Presentations will take place in class on Friday, April 16, Monday, April 19, Wednesday, April 21,
and during the final period on Tuesday, April 27, 2:30PM - 5:00PM.
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A sign-up sheet will be passed around on the day the Research Paper final draft is due.
Goals:
This project is intended to:
1) Broaden your knowledge of media literacy,
2) Allow you to think critically about your research paper as you translate it into another form,
3) Give you practice in visual rhetoric, and
4) Give you practice in presenting your work to a group.
The Assignment:
In this project, you will translate your research paper into a different form. You may choose a powerpoint
presentation, a speech, a poster, a handout, a creative narrative, or any other approved oral presentation
accompanied by visuals. For help, you should look at Part 6 of your textbook: Media and Design. You will make a
presentation in class in the ascribed time periods.
Guidelines:
Your presentation should:
 Be 5-7 minutes.
 Integrate a properly designed visual that supports the argument being made.
 Follow the argument given in your research paper.
 Take a form that is appropriate to your goals.
 Include a well-organized oral discussion (you may use cue cards, an outline, or anything else that helps you
remember and deliver the presentation).
 Be easy to follow and understandable.
Evaluation Criteria:
Your analysis will be evaluated using the following criteria:
Criteria
Goal
Oral Element
The oral element of the presentation is well-organized, follows a logical order, and is clearly
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understandable. The presenter lays out an argument that follows his or her research paper.
Visual Element The presentation incorporates a useful visual to accompany their presentation. The visual is
40%
well-designed and easy to understand. The presenter clearly explains his or her visual.
Completeness, Nuts The presentation stays within time constraints. It is clear that the presentation is welland Bolts
practiced.
10%