Topic Sentence/Bibliography Assignment clarification:
The point of this assignment is to deepen your research and to start the process of shaping your argument. Here you begin to create an original claim or thesis, etc. (eg. When Frank Lloyd Wright spoke of nature, he really meant human nature, as shown in his transformation of the prairie house in Broadacre City into the Usonian home).
Your assignment should include the following:
1. A clear thesis statement written as a complete sentence. If you need more than two sentences, you likely have not yet boiled your idea down to a thesis.
- This should clearly and cogently express the central idea that you are going to convey in your paper. We encourage you to be creative, original, and to take risks; but make sure that the thesis is one your research can substantiate.
- The thesis will probably evolve as you develop your paper, so don't worry about being locked in. Nonetheless, the submitted thesis should reflect that you have done a substantial amount of research into your topic and have begun to critically analyze the material.
2. Bibliography
A list of 8-10 sources, fully formatted according to MLA bibliographic style. The list should not look like an unfocused "fishing expedition." Rather, it should be made up of resources that are clearly integral to the paper and which you are likely to cite in the final product.Indicate which sources you have read and what you hope they will contribute to your paper.
Note: While Wikipedia articles can contain useful leads for further research, it is not in and of itself a legitimate source for an academic paper; any assignment that cites Wikipedia will receive zero credit.The same goes for websites of questionable authority.
Due: Thursday, May 8th in class. Late assignments will be docked a grade each day they are late.