UWP 23 – Winter 17

UWP 23 – Winter 17

Paper 3: Mini Research Paper

Timeline:
R. 2/16: Introduce Paper 3
T. 2/28: Annotated Bib draft 1 due—bring two copies to class for peer review
T. 2/28: P3 Background and Argument sections due—bring two copies to class for peer review
Wed. 3/01: Annotated Bib final draft due on Canvas for grading by 11:59 pm
R. 3/02: P3 full draft with all sections due—bring two copies to class for peer review and editing
T. 3/07: P3 Teacher-Student Conferences; Submit P3 (1000-1200 words) for teacher feedback on Canvas by 11:59pm
R. 3/16: P3 Portfolio Draft (1000-1200 words) due to GD Portfolio Folder by 11:59pm
F. 3/17: P3 Reflection Memo due on Canvas by 11:59pm.

Purpose: Using library and Internet resources effectively is an important part of your university career. Likewise, the research papers you write in college will likely be very different than the report-based research papers you may have written in high school. To that end, this assignment will help you learn how to better search for information and introduce you to the standard college research paper format.

Topic and Task: Many countries strive to provide a top-notch education for their citizens, and each country has created an educational system that works best for their society. However, every educational system has its benefits and drawbacks. For Paper 3, you will research one specific aspect (see below) of an educational system and analyze how that aspect could lead to the success and/or failure of the students when they study in other educational systems and/or in society in general.

First Step: Look over the list of possible topics below and then choose one that interests you.
Second Step: Begin looking for sources on the topic you chose. Notice which ideas/arguments are similar or different, or if different sources/authors have overlapping ideas. By doing this, you will be able to begin narrowing down your research focus.
Third Step: Formulate your research question. (This will be discussed in class.)
Fourth Step: Find as many potential sources as possible for your topic. However, you should not use more than five outside sources so as not to overwhelm yourself.
Fifth Step: Write the Annotated Bibliography. (See directions on the last page of this assignment sheet on how to write it.)
Sixth Step: Once you have your sources and a solid research question, begin drafting the Background and Argument sections.
Seventh Step: Once your Argument section and your thesis are clear, begin drafting the other sections.

**Remember that the focus of this paper should consist of an analytical argument; in other words, you are arguing your position on the answer to your research question, not simply reporting information.

Choosing a Topic:
In the article, “Educational Expectations: How They Differ Around the World: Implications for Teaching ESL College Students,” the author summarizes the literature on different educational approaches around the world. While her discussion is not exhaustive, she presents a lot of interesting information. For your paper, you will choose one of the topics discussed on pp. 121-122 of the article and investigate it further.
Required Sources: You must use the assigned readings (P3R1) and at least three sources that you have found on your own. At least one of your chosen sources must be academic.

Genre & Audience: This is a mini-research paper to be published in Prized Writing, a student writing journal at UC Davis.

Paper Requirements:
? Your name, class & section, date, and word count in the upper left corner
? Final Draft: 1000-1200 words
? You must cite one assignment reading and at least three outside sources, one of which must be academic.
? Carefully follow the structure and section headings outlined in the format sheet below.
? You must use APA format for in-text citations and the References page.
WHAT YOUR PAPER SHOULD INCLUDE:

TITLE

Your title should be your research topic (for example: “Domestic Terrorism in the United States: Its Roots and Motivations”) and could even be your actual research question (for example, “What motivates American citizens to commit acts of terror against their government and fellow citizens?”). Have fun choosing a creative and compelling title!

The actual sections of your paper must be labeled as follows. Note that the word length is a general suggestion – do not include word count in your section headings.

I. BACKGROUND (about 200 words)

Introductions to research papers are slightly different from introductions in regular essays. The introduction should provide the reader with all the background information needed to understand the general factor, using information you’ve learned from your sources. Here, you will describe the issue, but not your own specific research focus. (Be sure to cite sources and quotes according to APA format. You should have several citations in this section since you are presenting the conversation that has been taking place on the issue.)

II. ARGUMENT (about 100 words)

Once you’ve provided the reader with the background information of your event, you will briefly explain what you have chosen to focus on and why. What were you curious to find out? This section should present your research question. Finally, it should end with a brief summary of your key findings and the argument you will make in your paper – this is your thesis. (Not too many details in this section; save those for the body/analysis section below. You will not have any citations in this section.)

III. ANALYSIS OF THE ISSUE (about 500-600 words)

Your paper must not only report evidence—facts about the issue—but it must weave together these facts so that they form an argument that answers your research question. Good research papers provide evidence based on reliable sources, are ordered and logical in the presentation of evidence, and reach a clear and focused conclusion that answers the question posed at the beginning of the paper. In addition, good arguments also consider competing claims: What other ideas have been put forward (or could be put forward) to counter your points? How would you respond to them? In fact, consideration of counter-arguments is often a good way to begin this section of your paper. What have people generally believed about the issue? What are the weaknesses in their beliefs? What evidence do you have to suggest an alternative explanation? How does your position differ from popular beliefs?
Build each paragraph. Remember to follow the list of paragraph elements below to help you to be sure you have a fully developed idea in each paragraph. These are arranged in a pattern/sequence: however, you may alter this sequence to suit your content.

1. General statement of the topic for the paragraph (topic sentence)
2. Explanation of that statement
3. Evidence: examples, quotes, statistics/data, personal experiences/observations
4. Analysis: what that evidence means
(Steps 3 and 4 may repeat as you show connections between one source and another)
5. Synthesis: show the connections among ideas in the paragraph and with your thesis

IV. CONCLUSION (about 200-250 words)

Synthesize, don’t just summarize: Include a brief synthesis of the paper’s main points, but don’t simply repeat things that were said in your paper. Instead, show your reader how the points you made and the support and examples you used fit together. Emphasize what you found to be the most significant findings in your research. Pull it all together.

Perhaps include a provocative insight, quotation from your research, or questions for further investigation. This can redirect your reader’s thought process and help him/her to apply your information and ideas to his/her own life or to see the broader implications this event could have.

Note that each section above could include more than one paragraph.

Your paper should total 1000 – 1,200 words. You will also need to include a References page, also in APA format, which is not part of your word count.
Evaluation: You will be getting feedback via Teacher-Student conferences for this assignment. Use the rubric below to draft and revise P3. We will be using this rubric in peer review workshops and the conference prep worksheet.

Paper 3 Feedback Rubric

IEvaluation Symbols
?+ = done very well
? = done adequately
?- = needs some work
X = needs much work/not done at all

The text has an effective and creative title, correctly capitalized and punctuated, which reflects the topic being researched.
The text meets genre and audience expectations in style, tone and format.
The Background section clearly and concisely introduces the general topic.
The Argument section presents the specific focus of the research and the writer’s interest in it, and has a clear research question and a thesis statement that shows the direction the paper will take.
The Analysis of the Issue section has effective and organized paragraphs that clearly relate to the research question and help to prove it.
There is sufficient and effective support for the arguments made.
The text has clear, effective analysis and original thinking.
The Conclusion section helps the reader to apply your information and ideas to his/her own life or to see the broader implications of this issue.
The sources used for the paper are credible and effective. Sources include at least one of the assigned readings and at least three outside sources.
The text effectively uses APA format to cite sources, both in-text and in the References page.
The text is well-edited for grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
UWP 23 Scoring Criteria for Portfolio Papers

This is the rubric that will be used to score your paper in the portfolio reading at the end of the quarter.

Excellent (A range) Good (B range) Satisfactory (C range) Unsatisfactory (D-F range) *
? The papers are thesis-driven, clearly organized, well supported, and sensitive to audience expectations.
? The writer explores the issues thoughtfully and in depth.
? The author effectively and accurately integrates sources as required.
? The writing demonstrates effective (accurate, varied) use of topic-appropriate vocabulary and sentence structure.
? Language : There are almost no major grammatical errors, though there may be some minor errors, none of which distract the reader or obscure meaning.
? The papers display thesis-driven writing, effective organization and support, and general audience awareness.
? The writer shows some depth and complexity of thought.
? The writer’s integration of sources, when required, is consistently accurate.
? The writing demonstrates accurate use of vocabulary and sentence structure.
? Language: There may be a few major grammatical errors and a number of minor errors, none of which significantly distract the reader or obscure meaning.
? The papers display thesis-driven writing, but aspects of organization support, and/or audience awareness may be uneven.
? The writer demonstrates some critical thinking and analysis, but these may be simplistic or repetitive in places.
? The writer’s use of sources, when required, is usually accurate, though there may be minor errors in citation style.
? The writing demonstrates adequate use of language and sentence structure overall, though there may be some errors in word choice typical of non-native writers.
? Language: There may be a number of major grammatical errors and an accumulation of minor errors, but these do not generally distract the reader or obscure meaning.
? The papers display writing that is disorganized, unsupported, unaware of its audience, and/or is not thesis-driven.
? The writer demonstrates confused or simplistic thinking.
? The writer fails to integrate sources as required.
? The writing demonstrates poor (incorrect, confusing) use of vocabulary and sentence structure.
? The writing often demonstrates incorrect or unclear use of vocabulary and sentence structure.
? Language: There are frequent major grammatical errors and/or pervasive minor errors, both of which may often distract the reader and/or obscure meaning.

* A portfolio will receive a score in the “F” range for one or more of the following issues: plagiarism or academic dishonesty; an incomplete submission (one or more papers missing from the portfolio); significant underdevelopment of ideas or simplistic/illogical thinking; or severe and persistent language errors which significantly distract the reader, impede understanding of the texts, and/or would considerably limit the writer’s ability to succeed in Workload 57S.

Paper 3: Instructions for the Annotated Bibliography

Your annotated bibliography should include citations, done in APA format, for two of the sources that you chose for your mini research paper. Each citation should be followed by a brief summary paragraph and an evaluative paragraph. The purpose of the annotation is to assist you in better understanding your topic and preparing to write your paper.

Your annotations should be about at least 300 words each – this includes both paragraphs that comprise the annotation. You’ll want to be complete in your summaries and evaluations, but you’ll also need to be concise.

The first paragraph of your annotation should summarize the major points of your source. The second paragraph, the evaluation, should do one or more of the following:
1. Evaluate the authority/expertise, background, and/or education of the author(s);
2. Comment on the intended audience. For whom was it written (general public, subject specialists, college students)? For your purposes, did the audience affect the quality of the text in any way?;
3. Compare or contrast this work with the other you have cited (this will help you write the Background Section);
4. Discuss how credible and/or how useful the source was in terms of the topic you chose;
5. Discuss how you might use the source to support your argument.
Paper 3 Reflection Memo Instructions

Grading: This memo is worth 10 points. You will receive full credit for a thoughtful, thorough, well-written response that has been carefully proofread and edited.

Format/Specifications: Write this in multiple paragraphs for a total of 300-350 words. Include a heading and a descriptive title.

Task: In your reflection memo, you should discuss the process you went through to write this paper, starting with the pre-writing and drafting process and also discussing your revision and editing.

Here some questions to help guide you, though you are not required to answer all of them and may add whatever else you wish:

• Please describe your writing process; specifically address what you did to pre-write, draft, revise, and edit your paper. How was it different from other papers you have written in the past?
• Were there any specific lessons or strategies we have discussed in class that you applied to the preparation or writing of your paper?
• Was this the first time you have written a research paper? If so, did it differ from your expectations? If you’ve written a research paper before, how was this one similar to or different from those?
• Was this assignment more challenging or easier than previous papers you’ve written? Why?
• How was the revision process? Did you make any significant changes from the first draft to the last draft? Did the peer review sessions significantly help you with revision?
• What writing or grammar skills did you develop or practice through writing this paper?
• Did you enjoy the topic you chose? Did you learn anything surprising or that changed your opinion?

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