You can choose a topic. This assignment asks you to create an essay that summarizes the research on an assigned subject in the social sciences. It should be at least three pages, should use resources provided by the library, should be in APA format, and should only summarize an assigned topic.
Purpose
The purpose of this assignment is to construct a literature review in an effort to apply the understanding outlined in the module regarding APA formatting and its usage within the Social Sciences. A literature review is a collection of summaries that represent what previous research claims about the topic. It should be in YOUR words, not a collection of quotes from the articles or sources you are using. But, you will also need to cite your work both in-text and in an APA References page.
Skills
Computer skills, including the use of Canvas
Netiquette
Critical thinking and reflection
Formal Tone in written assignments (see A Quick Guide to Formal Writing.pdf )
Research skills using scholarly sources (see the video on Navigating Scholarly Sources)
Knowledge
Canvas LMS (learning management system)
APA Formatting
Finding and using scholarly (peer-reviewed) sources
Basic understanding of literature reviews and their purpose
How to summarize a work (general rule of thumb: ⅓ the length of the original work)
Instructions
Read Module 5.0 and They Say, I Say pages 232-236. Review the template summary we provided you in the course.
Review the example of a literature review entry.
Locate 2-3 scholarly (peer-reviewed) articles that relate to the topic you chose for 5.2 Assignment.
Read the first of your selected articles.
Without looking directly at the article, answer the following questions on a Word document as a rough draft:
What did the author research?
What are the key findings of this research?
What did the author conclude in his or her research?
How does this article relate to the other article(s) you chose?
Repeat steps 4 and 5 for your second (and third, if applicable) article.
Look at your articles again. If you find one quote from each article that states a key point in a concise and direct manner, you may include it in your work. Be sure that it is not over four lines in length and is properly cited.
Open a new Microsoft Word document.
Format an APA title page with a proper header and with the correct information for the title page.
Title the top of page two.
Write a clear introduction to your work. Your audience is a general readership, not your specific college instructor. You should use the third-person point of view, and concentrate on the logos (logic) and ethos (ethics), avoid pathos (emotion) as much as possible. Your purpose is to introduce, rather than argue, the topic.
Organize your responses to numbers 5-7 into logical and fluent paragraphs. (Be sure to include each article that you are using.)
Insert your in-text citations for each article if you have not already done so. Remember, APA format for in-text citations is different. (LastName, year)
Write a brief but clear conclusion for your work (2-3 sentences).
Your total work should be at least 3 pages of text in length. This does not include the title page or reference page. For any page you are short, there will be a 20-point deduction.
Insert a page break.
Title your “References” page per APA formatting.
Insert your APA References entries for each source in alphabetical order. (Note: If you use a citation generator, please be sure that all necessary information has been included in the entry.)
Proofread, edit, and revise your document using the essay checklist. Try to give yourself some time between finishing and proofreading your work. You may also find it beneficial to read your paper out loud. Be sure to search for the following common