English Research Writing Assignment

Immersed in an academic writing situation, problem solvers begin from a point of view, rely on analytical thinking skills and communicate findings through descriptive writing skills to develop a viable and logical theory.

Objectives

This assignment assesses your mastery of Learning Unit Three's objectives:

• Identify analytical writing forms
• Ensure cohesive and smooth flowing sentences
• Navigate the research writing process

Writing Process

1. Complete all lessons in the Learning Unit
2. Complete a draft for peer review
3. Complete the Peer Review Assignment before the deadline
4. Revise and finalize

Focus on the Following Skills

Inductive analytical form, smooth flowing sentences and transitions, valid documentation, and accurate source citations.

Research and Documentation Requirement

You are required to use and cite at least FIVE sources in this composition:

One observation source: Observe the setting and people involved in your research topic, keep notes of your observations, and quote these notes.

One interview source: Interview a person or expert involved in your research topic, record your questions and your interviewee's answers into an interview transcript, and quote your interviewee.

Two peer-reviewed sources: Find and cite two peer-reviewed sources from the library. Peer-reviewed sources include scholarly journals and books. Newspapers, magazines, encyclopedias, dictionaries, and websites are not peer-reviewed. To find peer-reviewed sources, visit with a librarian.

One photo, artistic representation, graph, table, or similar visual source: This source shall be embedded in the text and cited as a source. DO NOT use images from the internet. Photograph or create images yourself.

Source Verification Requirement

You are required to verify your sources by including a photograph or scan of your observation notes, interview transcript, and peer-reviewed sources. For the peer-reviewed sources, please capture the title page and all pages from which you are citing. Highlight text with your choice of software so I can easily compare your text with your citations. If I cannot locate or identify the source text as matching your cited text, then I will assume you are plagiarizing. Paste your verification images to the end of your composition, behind your Works Cited page.

Format

This manuscript shall be word processed in MS Word file format, incorporating a minimum of 1200 words and a maximum of 1500 words (4 to 5 double spaced pages), formatted according to MLA guidelines. Do not include a cover page.

Topics

TRADITIONAL and SAGE Student Topics:

Research a Career

Research aspects of a career and observe and interview someone working within that career. You may ask the question, "how does a person experience this career, and what does this career mean for this person?" Include a photo of the interviewee in his or her natural setting, working at his or her job.

SAGE students should choose a Green Career to research.

To develop a theory of this career, use a metaphor; for example, A police officer is a civil soldier; or a pastor is a shepherd of people; or a beef farmer is a CEO of grass.

Research an Animal at Home, the Zoo, or Natural Habitat

Observe an animal by noting how it eats, moves, shifts positions, directs its attention, sleeps, and interacts with its environment, you, and other animals. You may ask the question, "What does my relationship with my cat mean?" Or, "How does a prey animal experience life when it's being hunted?" Describe the animal, ensuring you are focusing on both inner and outer qualities. Interview someone who studies this animal, has a relationship with this animal, or simply knows something about this animal. Include a photo of the animal in his or her natural setting.

SAGE students should choose an endangered animal to research.

To develop a theory of this animal's experience, use a metaphor; for example, My cat is a princess; or That gorilla is a prize-winning boxer; or This dog is the guardian of the house.

Research a Deceased Family Member

Research an aspect of a deceased family member. Do not tell the person's life story; rather, focus on a life event that shaped or changed this person's life. This can be a choice he or she made or an experience he or she had. Maybe your grandma ran the Boston marathon which inspired you to be a runner. Perhaps your grandfather experienced the attack on Pearl Harbor which began a legacy of military service in your family. You may ask, "How did Grandma experience training for the Boston marathon?" or "How did Pearl Harbor shape Grandpa's life?" Your observation source may include old photographs.

To develop a theory of this person's experience, use a metaphor; for example, Grandpa was the gatekeeper to the city; or Aunt Sally was a walking brain; or Grandma Betty was the guardian of the school.