Assignment 1: Topic Proposal and Annotated Bibliography

Description: In order to prepare for your final essay (the Problem/Solution essay), you will write up a Topic Proposal document, which serves as an introduction to the problem/solution that you want to write about. This introduction will provide important background context to the problem and analyze some of the challenges and issues that people who want to solve the problem must consider.

In addition, you will compile an Annotated Bibliography of useful sources for your final essay (6-12 sources) Annotations should include the main points of the reading; how it will be useful to you for your essay; how the source reflects, contradicts, or supports the other sources on the list. The list must be prepared in APA style. This Annotated Bibliography will serve as the basis for your list of references in the final essay. The Topic Proposal may serve as the basis for your introduction to the final essay.

We will work in class on developing a topic for this series of assignments. The problem you choose should be one for which you can find several suggested solutions. In the final essay you will argue in favor of one of those solutions. This assignment will be drafted, reviewed, and revised.

Assignment 2: Problem/Solution Essay and Oral presentation

Description: Using the sources you gathered in the annotated bibliography, write an essay that argues in favor of ONE solution to the problem that you are researching. Use the Topic Proposal that you wrote as the basis for your introductory section. While your research focus and research question might change slightly as you do more research, you may not change your topic once you have turned in the Annotated Bibliography and Topic Proposal. Choose a topic that is interesting, researchable, and somewhat controversial.

In connection with the final Problem/Solution essay, you will give a brief oral presentation in class. This assignment will be drafted, reviewed, and revised.