Assignment: For the remainder of the semester, you will be developing and completing a research project on a topic that corresponds with the course theme. This project will have several components including the Source Analysis, Research Essay and presentation. For this assignment, Source Analysis essay) I will assess your ability to choose, read, and evaluate appropriate sources on a narrowed topic. You will also improve your ability to use the internet and the library’s resources to locate secondary sources that are rich and credible.

Process:

You will locate 10-15 sources on your topic during and after your library research. The sources you locate should be examples of public writing, similar to the kinds of articles you have been reading in class. Choose a variety of sources about your topic. These sources might include newspaper articles, magazine articles, government sponsored studies, or even an individual chapter in a book. You may choose a website or blog post from a credible source. Students have also found ted talks and Frontline. You will be evaluated on whether these articles are substantial, credible, and on the same narrowed topic.

You will choose the three sources on which to focus in your Source Analysis. As you decide which sources to focus on, ask yourself the following questions:

Are they “meaty” or substantial in length and perspectives (such as a feature article in a newspaper or magazine)?

In breadth or depth of research (such as a government report)?

In depth of research (such as a newspaper expose)?

Do they meet the evaluative criteria discussed in class (published by a disinterested, relatively unbiased publisher, vetted in some way, recent)?

Are they on same narrowed topic as other two sources?

Read each of your three best sources for flaws and holes in your research. What arguments against your thesis statement can be made? One of your sources may indeed become the basis of a counter-argument to your thesis. Knowing these sources well will prepare you for the Research Essay (Essay #4).

Write at least one good-sized paragraph that summarizes each source that describes what kind of source it is, and considers its rhetorical situation—audience, publication venue, author, typed of evidence included. Be sure you answer the following questions: who is the author (and what qualifications does the author have); who published the source; what is the purpose of this publishing venue; what biases or slants might be connected to this purpose; and, most importantly, who is the audience of this publication venue (and hence the audience of the article). This paragraph on rhetorical context will likely also consider the main types of evidence the source employs (research studies, first-hand accounts, etc.) and perhaps the ways the author accommodates or appeals to his/her audience.

Write the rest of the source analysis essay and organize your work effectively. Include and introduction, a conclusion, and clear transitions.

Include a conclusion paragraph that draws connections among the sources telling how they work together to give you a better sense of your paper topic. What kinds of sources might you still need to locate? What gaps in knowledge about your topic exist that future research could fill?

Your paper must have a Works Cited page. Materials that were not used in this essay but were part of your research and may be used later in the Research Essay may be listed under a Works Considered heading. Materials that were cited in the source analysis essay, even if not one of your major sources, should be listed under the Works Cited heading.

As you decide which sources to use, ask yourself the following questions:

A. Are they substantial?

in length and perspectives (such as a feature article in a newspaper or magazine) or

in breadth or depth of research (such as a government report)

In depth of research (such as a newspaper expose

B. Do they meet the evaluative criteria discussed in class (published by a disinterested, relatively unbiased publisher, vetted in some way, recent)

C. Are they on same narrowed topic as other two sources

Checklist for Source Analysis Essay:

In general, the format for this assignment is up to you. For example, you may use section or subject headings to help your reader navigate between the overview, your research process, and your source analyses. The following components are required.

The first two paragraphs should contain an overview of the topic—cite and quote from your sources when necessary—and your interests in the topic.

A third paragraph will describe your research process. What search terms did you use? What worked and how did you change your plan based upon your initial searches? Did you need to narrow or broaden your topic?

Don’t forget to use in-text citations for the material that you paraphrase or quote. This is not just a summary, but an analysis.

Draft an analysis of three sources, as explained above.

Include a conclusion paragraph that draws connections among the sources telling how they work together to give you a better sense of your final paper topic. What kinds of sources might you still need to locate? What gaps in knowledge about your topic exist that future research could fill?

Your paper must have a bibliography (Works Cited) page for the five sources, which will constitute both the works you have referred to in your essay and a brief bibliography on your topic. The bibliography page will appear at the end of the assignment. It is here that you will include the sentences for all 3-5 sources (see #1 above). .

Assessment Criteria for Source Analysis Essay:

The write-up of the source captures its thesis and purpose. Remember to paraphrase accurately and ethically and not to over quote. It correctly describes the rhetorical context of the source

who is the author (and what qualifications does the author have)

who published the source; what is the purpose of this publishing venue; what biases or slants might be connected to this purpose; and, most importantly, who is the audience of this publication venue (and thus the audience of the source)

in what conversations is the source engaged

what types of evidence does the source employs (research studies, first-hand accounts, etc.)

what the stylistic and genre conventions does the source employ

how does the author accommodate or appeal to his/her audience?

There is a citation for the source in MLA format.

Details: At Least 3-4 Pages, double-spaced, not including the Works Cited page.

Format: Typed and double-spaced, 12 pt. Times New Roman font, 1-inch margins, MLA format.