Final Research Paper

WR150: Global Documentary

The final research paper is the culminating assignment of WR150 and the two-semester writing requirement. In this assignment, you are called upon to deploy all of the skills that we have been honing this semester: effective research, argument, critical analysis, synthesis of multiple sources and viewpoints, and revision. One of the primary objectives of this assignment is to develop an argument in which you have a personal interest and stake. To that end, I’m enthusiastic about your plans and encourage you to design one so that the whole experience is intellectually and personally enriching (really). In fact, you may choose to revisit films and ideas that you’ve explored in previous papers, although I expect to you to approach them in more complicated and innovative ways.

This paper needs to be motivated by a question that clearly establishes its motivation. In other words, why are you asking the question that you’re asking? Has somebody said something about the film with which you disagree? Does the film seem to say one thing, but ultimately deliver something else? Does the film take the theories of one critic and disprove them? Is there a broader concern in society informing the film’s issues? Etc. Think of it this way: How does your claim contribute to the existing conversation about this film (or these films), the issues it explores, and/or documentary film in general? I encourage you to focus on one film in the final paper so that you can explore your ideas in a more trenchant, complex way.

Some specifics

  • The paper’s length is 10-12 pages (~2500-3000 words).
  • It should engage with a considerable number and range of sources (at least 6—the films don’t count as sources, although they should be included in your Works Cited page). More than half of your sources should be scholarly. Part of this paper’s grade will be determined by the quality (scope and depth) of its research.
  • Keep track of every source that might have bearing on your paper. As we will review, you might make reference to these sources in a content note, which will necessitate that you include them in your Works Cited page, even if you don’t directly quote them.
  • Sentence-level issues will factor more into your grade this time. While we will continue to review style and grammar in the coming weeks, if grammar has been a consistent problem for you, consider scheduling a tutoring appointment at the CAS Writing Center. Sign up early; they fill up fast.
  • Post every part of this process on Digication, even if I don’t ask you to. You might even start to annotate some of these artifacts for inclusion in your final portfolio.

Schedule

DATE / ASSIGNMENT / DETAILS
Mon., March 25-Wed., April 3 / Day o’ reading at Mugar / Some time during these 9 days, devote a few hours to reading and researching without an agenda. Please do this in the library so that you have access to books as needed. Keep a log of the sources you read (even those you read partially) and any key terms/ideas that emerge. Post on Digication.
Mon., April 1 / Skeletal draft of prospectus and annotated bibliography / Due in class for discussion.
Fri., April 5 / Final prospectus/annotated bibliography (3 key sources that you located yourself) / Posted to Digication.
Fri., April 5-Fri., April 12 / Oral presentations / 10 minutes: 5-6 minutes of presenting, 4-5 minutes of feedback. Presentations can’t be rescheduled.
Wed., April 17-Sat., April 20 / Group conferences / Draft of paper due (via email) to me and fellow peer reviewers by 9 am one day before your scheduled conference.
Tues., April 23 / Full draft due / Email your assigned peer reviewer a full draft by 3 pm.
Wed., April 24 / Feedback for peer reviewer due / You’ll meet with your partner in class and review his/her draft in detail.
Sat., April 27 / Final paper / Posted to Digication by 5 pm; strict late paper policy.