English 102: Research Proposal and Annotated Bibliography

English 102: Research Proposal and Annotated Bibliography

 

Length: RP (one to two pages), AB (seven sources with annotations)

Total Points: 100 points

 

Assignment

The Research Proposal and Annotated Bibliography (RP/AB) will be the first step in preparing for the Argumentative Synthesis Paper. This assignment is designed to help you develop ideas for your final paper—a synthesis of multiple perspectives on a question at issue in which you take a position and argue for it. You will select a topic you are interested in exploring further, focus on a question at issue, and develop a claim for your paper.

 

Research Proposal (50 points)

For your proposal, you will complete the following: (1) discuss the question at issue you will be examining in your Argumentative Synthesis Paper, (2) take a position on the question and make a claim, (3) explain why the question/claim is important today and why others should be interested, and (4) discuss some of the evidence, support, and alternate viewpoints you intend to discuss in your paper.

Annotated Bibliography (50 points)

An annotated bibliography is basically a works-cited page that includes summaries of and comments about the sources listed. For this assignment, list seven sources that you plan to use in your Argumentative Synthesis Paper. Format each entry according to MLA guidelines (refer to chapter 22 in Everything’s an Argument for MLA citation guidelines). Each annotation should include a brief summary of the source, such as the central topic and, if relevant, the scope. Summarize the most important information from each source, making sure that the information is relevant to the question at issue and your claim. However, because you are compiling this bibliography to help you get started on your next writing assignment, you must also explain how you can use each source in your paper. Each annotation should be a short paragraph—about three to five complete sentences.

Preliminary Assignment

Before you complete the entire RP/AB, I want to make sure you are on the right track with finding a topic and question at issue.

Grading Criteria: Your paper will be graded according to the following criteria. Plagiarism will result in a failing grade for the paper and perhaps for the course as well.

Criteria

Points

 RESEARCH PROPOSAL

___ The research proposal is complete and thorough.

___ It establishes your question and claim, the importance, possible

evidence, support, and alternate viewpoints.

___ Source material is cited according to MLA guidelines.

___ The assignment is formatted according to the handout guidelines.

___ Basic and submission requirements are met.

___ The writing employs words and sentence structures appropriate to the demands of the rhetorical situation.

___ The work is free of proofreading errors

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

___ The annotated bibliography includes, at minimum, seven sources.

___ Each source is briefly summarized.

___ The value of each source for your paper and its relevance to your claim are thoroughly established.

 

 

___ Source material is documented according to MLA guidelines.

___ The assignment is formatted according to the handout guidelines.

___ Basic and submission requirements are met.

___ The writing employs words and sentence structures appropriate to the demands of the rhetorical situation.

___ Annotations are written in complete sentences.

___ The work is free of proofreading errors