ENC 1102 - Prof. Barr

 Research Essay

Description: The Research Essay is where you will demonstrate mastery of the research process, academic writing, and MLA conventions. Guided by a research question of your choice, repeat the research process learned for the mid-term project and write an argumentative essay that presents your findings.

Requirements: The Research Essay must

1. be based on a professor-approved research question
2. use correct MLA format and citation
3. present an interesting and arguable thesis
4. support the thesis using research acquired during the research process
5. demonstrate significant knowledge in the subject area chosen
6. present a logical conclusion that speaks to the significance of the topic
7. be 4 – 8 pages long

Grading: You will be graded on how well you fulfill the requirements and follow directions given in class. Formal Research Essays should follow the conventions of academic writing. You have creative license in your choice of topic and research path, but all essays must have a clear and logical structure.

Advice:

1. Choose a research question you genuinely want to investigate.
2. Use the Elements of Thought and Intellectual Standards to help you organize your findings.
3. Attend all classes and library sessions as the tools you need to be successful will be given during these times.
4. Meet with the professor, or go to the writing center for help in drafting and proofreading your essay.

• WHO is an important person related to this topic? WHO cares about this topic?
• WHAT makes this topic so interesting to me? WHAT do people need to know before coming to an opinion about this topic? WHAT happens if people don't know about this topic?
• WHERE does this topic most affect? 
• WHEN does this topic matter - historically? right now? in the future?
• WHY does this topic matter? 
• HOW does this topic impact me? HOW does this affect others? 

Come up with a topic that interests you... and can keep you interested while you research and write. You should want to learn more about this topic. 

Tips for Smart Searching

Come up with synonyms and similar terms to match your topic

​Don't get too specific - It is easier to narrow down your results than it is to expand them.

Use * to search for different versions of the same word (truncation)  

• educat* searches for educate, educates, educator, educators, education, educating... 

Use " " (quotation marks) to search for specific phrases

• "gun violence" will return results with gun and violence together as a phrase
• gun violence (without quotation marks) may return results where the words gun and violence don't appear together