English 1302 - Garza, Antonio: I-Search Narratives

ENGL 1302

Research Paper

(worth 25% of final course grade)

About the assignment

For your final project, you will choose to research a topic that you discovered as we discussed poetry and fiction in our course this semester. That is, you must research and write an informal essay on a topic that must relate to an issue discussed during one of the readings. Possible topics: racism, sexism, classism, parental dominance, ethnic identity, etc.

Length: 5 to 6 pages (approximately 1,000 to 1,200 words)

Requirements

1. This paper is in the form of an I-search narrative. That is, you may sparingly write in first person and must incorporate one primary source and at least two secondary sources in your paper. 

• Your paper must have an introduction that presents the social or cultural issue under discussion. Your introduction must have a hook that grabs your reader’s attention and a bridge that transitions from the hook to the thesis. The thesis must state your topic and the objectives (reasons) for exploring your topic. The thesis should be the last sentence in your introduction.

THESIS TEMPLATE: In “___________,” the author presents ____________; it is a subject that I would like to explore due to ____________.

THESIS: In “Knock Knock,” Daniel Beaty presents issues with racism; racism is a subject that I would like to explore due to its effect on the African-American community.

• Your paper must have at least five body paragraphs that develop the thesis by illustrating, addressing and/or highlighting the objectives (reasons) for exploring your topic. Each body paragraph must have a topic sentence that develops and supports the thesis. You may use the following prompts to frame your essay, but you are not limited to them:
  • the most interesting or fascinating discovery about your topic during your research (Provide an example from one your sources.)
  • the most upsetting discovery about your topic during your research--if any (Provide an example from one of your sources.)
  • new information you discovered (Were you surprised? Provide an example from one of your sources.)
  • A new perspective on your topic (This could be something you learned or gained during your research. Provide an example from one your sources.)
  • A reason to continue to explore your topic at a later date or in another course (You may include questions you may wish to pursue about your topic and why.)

• Your paper must have a conclusion that fully closes out the essay and provides a call to action, warning, prediction or evaluation of the conflict of the social or cultural issue of your topic.

NOTE: You may decide to expand one of your journals and use any portion of it in your essay--provided it meets the requirements of this assignment. You must give your paper an original title related to your topic.

2. The paper must incorporate three (3) sources: one primary and at least two secondary sources of various types chosen from the list below:

Primary source:

• one poem or short story discussed this semester

Secondary sources:

• book chapter or book
• newspaper article (online or print)
• article from a journal in an online database (SAC library preferred.)  
• personal interview
• documentary
• music video

3. The paper must be in MLA format, double-spaced in Times New Roman, font size 12. All direct quotes and paraphrases must be attributed to the source with a signal phrase and must include an in-text citation. You must provide a works-cited list at the end of your document which must begin at the top of the last page. All sources must be properly cited on your works-cited list. I suggest that you also consult the MLA handbook or Purdue OWL.

NOTE: For a review of incorporating direct quotes, paraphrases, and in-text citations, refer to the instructions on the poetry paper and the fiction paper.

4. Submit the I-search paper on the appropriate assignment link on Canvas.

NOTE: An I-search paper not submitted on Canvas so that it is checked for plagiarism through turnitin.com will not be accepted for any reason. That is, I will not accept your final project as an email attachment.