The Research Paper
ENGL 201, Section C

Summer 2011
T TH 6-9:45pm, Room L120

Instructor: Cassie Cross cross.cassie@gmail.com
Office Phone # 425-564-2092
Office Hours: Tuesdays 5-6pm, 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. You will write three drafts of each assigned paper, and these drafts will be saved and turned in with your final, polished paper. 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 Little Seagull Handbook by Richard Bullock and Francine Weinberg

Requirements of the Course:

· Two papers, edited and polished

· Three drafts/revisions of each of the two papers

· Reading responses (8 of the assigned 10)

· Thoughtful participation in class and workshops

· Attending class and being responsible for assignments

Grades:

Paper 1 (4-6 pages).................	25%	Research Proposal...................................	10%
Paper 2 (6-10 pages)..............	35%	Reading Responses.................................	10%
Conversation Between Critics..............................................	10%	Workshop/Participation...........................	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. Remember that participation in class is required; if you are not here, you cannot participate. Missing more than two classes will impact your grade.

Participation:

Discussion. You will be expected to come to class having read the assigned essay and ready to participate in discussion. I encourage you to look outside the reading and incorporate aspects of current events, news, pop culture 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.

Reading Responses:

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 to the discussion board at our MyBC class website. You must complete at least 8 of the 10 assigned online responses. Responses will typically be 200-250 words. I am grading you on the content of your responses in addition to your timely completion of them.

Paper Format:

All essays must be typed, double spaced, in size 12 font, with 1 inch margins. Remember to save your drafts. Your final essay will be turned in as a packet, which must contain the following: your final draft, three previous drafts, comments from your workshop group, and any additional materials I specifically assign for the paper. If your final packet is missing any of these items (including email responses, if applicable) it will not be complete and I will not be able to grade it.

All drafts must be stapled (or paper clipped) to your final draft and clearly labeled, with the final draft on top. I do not accept papers that are not stapled or clipped. Late papers lose 5 points every day they are late. I do not accept papers by e-mail. You may turn late papers in to my mailbox at the Arts & Humanities office (R230), but you must email me an electronic copy of the paper on the same day (this will serve as a time/date stamp.)

Workshop:

For each paper we will do two workshops. You will be assigned to groups of three, where you will read and respond to your classmates’ papers. Workshop days are some of the most important days of the quarter; do not miss class on these days. If you do miss class, you are responsible for completing your workshop by e-mail before the next day of class. Include me in the email to your workshop group; if I do not receive an email I will assume you did not complete the workshop. 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.

Research Proposal:

Our second essay of the quarter is a longer, more involved research essay. I expect you to be curious and interested in your topic, and to form a good base of knowledge from which to begin your research. You will present this initial level of your research and findings to the class. Presentations should be informal (but still informed), and approximately 2-3 minutes.

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.

BC 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