Monday, April 25, 2005
4/25
Syllabus:
Research Project Proposal (500 words) Due. Research Project Annotated Bibliography (AB) Workshop. Considering types of sources and their value.
In Class:
Reading/Reviewing Workshop
- One copy of RPP is to be handed in to me.
- During class, you will read/review two other proposals (15 mins)
Is the project proposed analytical (it should be)?
*What appear to be the strengths of the proposed project?
...Has the writer identified these?
*What appear to be the weaknesses?
...Has the writer identified these?
***If so, are the writer's strategies to deal with these weaknesses adequate?
***If not, what might you suggest?
Is the proposed project original, creative, and/or interesting?
*Identify what is O/C/I, or suggest possible ways of framing the conversation so that it becomes O/C/I
Dystopia, Utopia, or Other?
*How well does the vision work as a strategy? - 5 minutes to read/review others’ commentary
Annotated Bibliography Workshop
Assignment:
For Monday, 5/2, submit an Annotated Bibliography (10 entries or more) for your research project. AB should represent a range of resources.
- Each AB entry is comprised of two parts: the citation (all of that MLA stuff we love so much) and the annotation (usually a BRIEF summary and analysis)
- Each entry in the AB is listed in the same order as one would with a ‘regular’ (non-annotated) Works Cited (i.e., alphabetical)
- Your AB should have an appropriate title that marks it as specific to your project and an Annotated Bibliography (e.g., “The Historical Foundations of Gay Pride: An Annotated Bibliography”)
For a sample entry, see SMH 14i (Keeping a Working Bibliography: Preparing Annotated Bibliographies [note Substantive/Evaluative Entry])
Popular magazines, personal home pages/ web sites, and general encyclopedias are generally unsuitable for college-level research. See me if you have a ‘research situation’ that you feel is grounds for special consideration.
Types of Sources (from strongest to weakest)
- Primary Sources (Why?)
- “Outside the Box” Sources (Behavioral studies concerning acceptance and exposure; parallel research in fields)
- Sources that refute your stance (if you have one)
- Sources that ‘agree’ with you
Remember, part of your mark as a writer is made by the way that you work with concepts and materials.
Overview of quick source evaluation
- Books: TOC (Chapters), Introduction, Index, Skimming
- Journal Articles: Introductory section/ paragraph(s), section introductions/headings, final sections/ paragraphs. Consider evidence, development. Note research used (this may lead you to other sources or point out possible flaws/inconsistencies with research)
- Web sites: Cautions concerning publishing. Look to provenance of site. Who funds?
For all types of sources:
- Who is author?
- Credentials?
- Author(s)’(s) or Publisher’s affiliations?
- Always question what degree of responsibility does the individual have in publishing this information (web sites, high to none; peer reviewed journals, high; newspapers, high to little [due to changing nature of news])
4/27 | Bring in at least three prospective sources for your research project. In Class: Research |
