WIFYS Research Essay Assignment
Dr. Carla Kungl
Details: about 10 pages, MLA format
Description: For this research essay, you must choose a topic that interests you that is connected in some way to advances in technology. It can connect, in a loose way, to the issues raised in Feed, but it does not need to relate to that novel at all. You could do the latest advancements in technology as they relate to your major – for instance, the use of digital photography – or as it relates to an extracurricular activity, such as how instant replay affects sports or how current concussion protocols are impacted by technology. It really can be anything, but it is very important that you choose a topic that is meaningful to you.
Guidelines: The most important guideline is that this will be an argument paper, which means that you will need to develop a strong academic argument that is reasonable and able to be refuted. It should not merely be a summary of some kind of technology. We will spend time discussing how to build an academic argument with a clear, focused thesis. Second main guideline: you will find and incorporate atbout 10 solid academic sources from the library databases, incorporating the sources as you develop your argument.
Requirements: Use the library resources available. You will need to include between 9-11 credible academic sources, and we will discuss in class how to determine what is credible. No: Wikipedia, no USA Today, and only one academic website will count.
Drafting Schedule:
April 8 = annotated bibliography, of at least 7 academic sources. You should also have a clear position on the issue you want to argue.
April 18 = Rough Draft Due
For this draft, you should have at least seven scholarly sources and at least a 7 page essay (but of course, the more you have done, the more a peer can help you).
April 22 = Final Draft Due
At some point I will also schedule individual writing conferences, held in my office, DHC 128: these will be either April 12-13 OR April 19-20 (we’ll decide as a class).