RESEARCH PROJECT
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Research Project Proposal Part I (5%):
Revised Description & Annotated Bibliography
Due: Saturday, January 31, 2012 at 11:59pm (EST) 
SUBMIT VIA KSU Google Docs

Decide upon a focus for your project. The focus must involve an analysis of something directly related to one of the two novels we are reading this semester. The focus must also tie directly to one of the two movies we are viewing this semester. Finally, the focus must tie directly to the course theme. Describe the direction you think, or hope, your research will take you: the themes or facts you may be researching, the ways that your focus tie directly to the course theme, and the ways that your focus tie directly to one of the two novels we're reading.
DESCRIPTION REQUIREMENTS IN A NUTSHELL:
~~ 200 words,
~~ well written,
~~ must anticipate how it will include one of the two course novels as a main part of the content,
~~ must anticipate how it will directly relate to the course theme (human rights) as a main part of the content.
ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY REQUIREMENTS IN A NUTSHELL:
~~ You must generate a bibliography of eight quality sources Three of these sources must be books! Novels, dictionaries, encyclopedias and similar reference materials do not count.
~~ You must provide complete bibliographic information for each entry.
~~ You must provide two-to-three sentences describing how you think you might be able to use this source.

Part III: Peer Commenting (5%)
Must be completed by April 26, 2012 at 11:59pm (EST)

• You must work with one other student in the class.  I will assign partners when I grade your first draft, but if you have a strong desire to work with someone, please let me know as soon as possible!
• Share your Draft One with the other student--as well as with me--via KSU Google Docs. 
• Edit your partner's paper. Put your initials beside any comments that you make directly onto the paper. 
• You must provide constructive criticism on your partner's work.

  • Help the author to further develop arguments.
  • Question the author's arguments in terms of logic and support.

  • Help the author to further develop coherence and depth of thought.
  • Make sure that the proportion of argument to support is appropriate (roughly 2/3 argument to 1/3 support).

   

Part IV: Multimedia Version (5%)
Due: Thursday, May 3, 2011 at 11:59pm (EST) 
EMAIL THE URL TO ME!

• This must be a blog (that can be anonymously generated): it may be a single blog entry, or it may be multiple entries--it's your choice. (I will show you how to make a blog in class.)
• It must include the entire text of the final draft of your paper--as a single entry or as several entries (sections).
• It must include at least five links within the text that further supplement the depth of the text.
• It must include at least two images and/or video clips (links to them if they are not yours).
• You should try to have some fun with this assignment. The purpose is to develop skills in incorporating simple text into the multimedia world.

 

Part V: Final Draft (15%)
Due: Thursday, May 3, 2011 at 11:59pm (EST) 
SUBMIT VIA KSU Google Docs

• This draft must demonstrate significant improvement over the previous draft--there is no guarantee that the grade will be either better than or even the same as it was for the First Draft!
• Remember that this is to be an 8-10 page (1600-2500 word length) paper, but quality is more important than quantity.
• Remember that it must make an argument (a claim) about what you have discovered in your research; take a stand on a particular aspect; make a claim in your thesis statement.
• Remember not to simply write a report.
• Remember to at use least five of your eight quality sources, in addition to whichever novel you choose to include.
• Be sure the paper addresses the class theme and the chosen novel significantly.
• It must be formatted in MLA style (unless otherwise approved).