Assignments

Argument Test 2016

Jerome/ENGL 112

Value: 15% of your final grade

You must respond to one of the following questions in a letter in which you’ll build an argumentative case using various types of claims, supporting evidence and analysis. You may support your claims with research culled from our readings as well as your own original research done on-line from reputable sources such as scholarly papers, reports, news articles, research from public institutes, etc. Avoid using information from blogs or articles without authors.

 

I’m looking for originality and sophistication in your thinking. Avoid summarizing and parroting back arguments that have already been made by the authors whose texts you’ve already read. You want to add something new to the conversation.

 

• What are the potential benefits and/or consequences of “education-for-profit” and the diminishment of funding to the Humanities? What are some possible solutions to the shifts in funding to the public university? Be sure to take a clear position on this issue and be ready to make recommendations.

 

Potential audiences: Christy Clark, Leader of BC Liberal Party, your riding’s MLA

 

• Should the Kinder-Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline that currently runs from Edmonton to Burnaby be expanded as proposed? Is its expansion in the best interests of local residents and the rest of the Canadian population?

 

Potential audiences: Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Minister of the Environment (Aglukkaq) leader of the NDP (Mulclair) or the Liberal Party (Justin Trudeau).

 

Other topics may include: 1) the Syrian refugee crisis 2) the politics of water in Canada OR 3) a topic of your choice.

 

You may bring to class for your test:

• an outline of your argumentative case
• a pre-formatted letter
• an envelope with your addressee’s address on it
• a list of your references (APA format)

 

Jerome/ENGL 112

 

Assignment #2: A framed summary

Value: 10% of your final grade

Write a framed summary either Greenberger et al. or Singleton-Jackson et al. or Hustinx et al. in 300-350 words (one and a half pages double-spaced, typed).

 

• Be sure to frame the summary properly and characterize the research using a speaking verb, such as says, examines, evaluates, catalogues, etc.
• Be sure to capture the phenomenon, focus and main argument in the very first sentence.
• Be sure to capture all of the elements of the research process as they appear in the paper. Please include focus, phenomenon, knowledge gap, research objective(s), hypothesis, assessment of the state of knowledge, method and claims to new knowledge as well as recommendations.
• Avoid quotations and data, i.e. the concrete, except for the names of important key players and institutions.
• Cite the claims made from the knowledge base in your summary of the assessment.
• You don’t have to cite the author again after framing but it would help to begin each paragraph with “[Author] says” just to make your attribution clear. When in doubt, use “say/says” as a speaking verb.
• Retain the academic tone of the original essay and capture as many high-level general terms as possible.
• Avoid critical stance.

 

You can always refer back to our class notes on mapping and gisting, and you can re-read Chapter 4 from Giltrow.

 

Supply documentation; make sure that style of the citation and documentation is consistent and conforms to either APA or MLA style. Do not mix the two citation styles, please.

 

Summary Grading Rubric /Jerome

 

English 112: Summary of either Greenberger et al. or Singleton-Jackson et al. or Hustinx et al.

 

Thanks for your summary! Below are my comments, your grade and the evaluation criteria. Summary writing is relatively straightforward and therefore you’ll be given fewer comments here alongside your grade. As always, feel free to come and talk with me if you want more feedback than what I’ve included here.

 

____ Use of a standardized introductory frame (author’s last name, title, reporting expression)

____Identifies main claim

____Correctly captures phenomenon and focus in that opening sentence

____Uses general language

____Uses appropriate reporting, e.g. for Greenberger, for ____, others

____Captures the elements of the research process

____Captures subsidiary findings

____Uses quotation appropriately

____Writer has proofread the material

Grade:

Evaluation Criteria:

 

• Use of correct format
• Use of correct spelling and grammar
• Introductory frame
• Identification of the main and subsidiary claims as well as elements of the research process
• Use of reporting frames when necessary
• This assignment is worth 10% of your total mark for the course.

 

Jerome/ENGL 112

ENGL 112 Extended Research Proposal

 

Length: 5-6 double-spaced pages + title page + bibliography (References)

Due Date:

Value: 30 % of your final grade

 

Structure your research proposal using the following categories in this exact order. Write in paragraph form using good English sentences; do not write in point form. You must apply all of the features of academic writing.

 

Working Title: You must create a title for your project that offers your reader an understanding of the phenomenon observed as well as your focus. You may also offer a hint of the claim. Ex: “How do we rate? (Hint of claim) An evaluation (focus) of on-line evaluations (phenomenon)”

 

Identifying the Subject and Providing Background: 2-4 paragraphs

 

Once again you will introduce your phenomenon and focus, and provide context for your topic by defining or explaining key terms, describing the “real world” situation, or any necessary political, historical, cultural or economic context(s). End your paragraphs in this section with your hypothesis.

 

Rhetorical choices:

 

• Make a general opening critical statement that captures your phenomenon and focus.
• Define key terms.
• Open a knowledge gap.
• Provide “real world” quantitative data (see Davison + Price’s facts regarding RMP).
• Map key findings by scholars who’ve written about your topic. These key findings should include some of the major findings discovered by scholars who have been researching your topic over the past 20 years or so.
• Articulate your hypothesis.

 

 

Research Questions/Objectives: 1 paragraph

 

Let your reader know the questions that prompted your line of enquiry. These may be written out as a research question(s) and/or objective(s). You may use open agency here (first-person singular) which makes transparent your subject position and actions as a scholar.

 

 

 

 

 

Scholarly Conflict and Key Players (Assessment of the State of Knowledge):

 

Write a critical summary of three key research papers. You must begin each summary with a critical statement that develops your central position. Be sure to frame the three papers carefully, briefly outline their positions (main claim, method, most relevant subsidiary findings), take a critical stance on their positions or omissions in relation to your work and open a knowledge gap.

 

When drafting each critical stance claim, consider how you might draft three basic critical premises necessary to your overall argumentative case. These claims should be drafted based on your knowledge and research and then substantiated by the key player whose findings you will summarize and assess critically.

 

Structure:

• Critical stance statement using adjectives and/or adverbs.
• Frame your key player’s scholarly article.
• Summarize her main finding.
• Summarize her method.
• Summarize her most relevant subsidiary findings.
• Offer critical feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of this research. Discuss it critically as it relates to your topic.
• Do this three times and finish with a reiteration of your knowledge gap.

 

Method:

 

Name the any primary and/or secondary sources you will use for your research, list your key terms, record any Ask Away enquiries: tell me about your individual research process. Be specific.

 

Discussion:

 

Extended research proposal involves writing 3 to 4 argumentative paragraphs in which you will articulate an argument in each paragraph that develops your case and is supported by research.

 

Write a series of subsidiary arguments that develop your main position in an argumentative case backed by your findings.

 

Conclusion (1 paragraph):

 

You will reiterate your claims to new knowledge and offer specific recommendations.

 

Be sure to use proper APA citation and documentation throughout your proposal.

 

Cite 5-10 sources in your References section.