The Research Paper
ENGL 201, Section HYC
M W 8:30-9:20pm, Room C140

Instructor: Cassie Cross cross.cassie@gmail.com
Office Hours: Tuesdays 12-1pm, e-mail for appointment Office: R230K

Writing is a recursive and frequently collaborative process of invention, drafting, and revising. In this course you will develop the skills you need to write a research paper. You will learn research methods, analyze text and sources, learn how to develop a thesis and gather supporting evidence. We will also discuss the connection between writing, reading, and critical thinking.

Writing is a process, and you will learn how to do clear and thoughtful revision of your work. This course will rely heavily on a workshop format, where your classmates will respond to your writing and you will give thoughtful and respectful comments on your peers’ papers as well. Responding to writing—published writers as well as your classmates’ work—will help you to think more critically and objectively about your own writing. Ideas, given time and reflection, can develop and grow; in this course you will have the opportunity to make use of the process format and succeed in writing well-informed, highly developed research papers.

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

· Write an objective summary of a complex college level essay

· Critically evaluate source material, in terms of style, tone, logic, and overall persuasiveness

· Write a critical analysis of source material

· Synthesize source material and integrate it into your writing smoothly and appropriately

· Be comfortable using library sources and materials

· Use an appropriate note-taking system

· Cite sources properly, both in text and on Works Cited pages

· Be able to develop, organize and support a clearly defined thesis in a 6-10 page research paper

· Fine-tune group feedback and editing skills

· Have a firm grasp of grammar and mechanics and be able to edit your own work

Required Text:

They Say, I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing by Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein

The Curious Researcher by Bruce Ballenger

Requirements of the Course:

· Two papers, edited and polished

· Drafts/revisions of each of the two papers

· Being an active contributor to the discussion board

· Thoughtful participation in class and online

· Attending class and being responsible for assignments

Grades:

Paper 1 (4-5 pages)................................	20%	Discussion Board Posts.........................................	15%
Paper 2 (6-10 pages)............................	35%	Attendance/Participation......................................	10%
Conversation Between Critics............................................................................................	10%	Peer Review/Workshop.........................................	10%

Attendance is a Requirement:

Please note that missing more than two weeks of class is grounds for failure, regardless of your performance when you do attend class. Frequent tardiness will begin to count as absences. Remember that participation in class is required; if you are not here, you cannot participate. You must attend the “live” class in addition to doing the online assignments. Missing more than one class will impact your grade.

Discussion Board Posts:

Throughout this course I will be assigning you discussion topics to explore alongside the readings assigned in class. Your responses to an assigned discussion question must be posted online. You will be expected to read the assigned essays and be an active participant in the online discussion board. In other words, you should be posting at least once on each discussion, whether it is responding to the question I ask, or posting a response to one of your classmates’ comments. Responses will typically be 200-250 words. Discussions will always open on Thursdays. I encourage you to look outside the reading and incorporate aspects of current events, music, art, literature, etc., into the discussion as you find relevant to the topic. Everyone in this class has a unique background and viewpoint, and we can gain understanding of issues by seeing different sides.

Paper Format:

All essays must be typed, double spaced, in size 12 font, with 1 inch margins. Late papers lose 5 points every day they are late. I do not accept late drafts. If you do not turn in your draft on time, you lose the benefit of my comments on that draft. (You do, however, have the option of making an appointment with me outside of class.)

All assignments will be submitted on Blackboard Vista through the Assignment Tool.

Peer Review/Workshop:

In this class we will be utilizing the process of peer review/workshop. You will be assigned to groups of three, where you will read and respond to your classmates’ papers. Workshops will be completed online. If you do not complete a workshop, it affects your grade. The amount of time and effort you spend responding to your classmates’ papers also affects your grade.

Conversation Between Critics Essay:

In a short, informal essay of 2-3 pages, you will develop an imaginary conversation between the authors of the first four assigned essays. Each of these critical essays shares a common theme; social responsibility and the internet. You will create a dialog between these critics based on your understanding of their work.

Student Responsibility and Communication:

I expect professionalism from my students. If you have any problems or concerns with your performance in the course, please contact me. Failure to meet deadlines on a consistent basis without communicating with me the reason will result in a significant impact to your grade. I expect your emails to be addressed and composed in a professional manner. I expect timeliness completion of assignments in accordance with our class calendar. Please plan time for troubleshooting computer issues should they arise. With the amount of resources Bellevue College offers its students, there should be very few reasons for late work due to computer malfunction.

BCC Writing Lab:

The Writing Lab offers one-on-one help with writing, including class assignments, college applications, resumes, and more. Make an appointment by calling ahead (564-2200) or stopping by (D204).

Plagiarism and Student Conduct:

Plagiarism is grounds for probation or suspension from Bellevue College as well as for failure in this course. I will not tolerate it, and will report any instance of plagiarism I find to the Vice President of Student Services. Plagiarism is a counterproductive, non-writing behavior that is unacceptable in a course intended to aid your growth as an academic writer.

Students with Disabilities:

If you are a student who has a disability or learning challenge for which you have documentation or have seen someone for treatment, please register with The Disability Resource Center. If you are eligible, you will be provided with an accommodation letter, which you must review with me the first week of class. More information can be found at: www.bellevuecollege.edu/drc