Overview:
Imagine you are being asked to write a 7-8 page research paper presenting and supporting an original argument on Frederick Douglass’ Narrative. (*See note on topics below) This potential paper would include at least 5 sources of various types (including a scholarly article, a popular article, and a book). Instead of writing the essay, you will focus on all of the steps leading up to writing a research paper. Be sure to choose the topic you are most interested in researching.
Requirements:
- Research Proposal (1-2 pages)
- Annotated Bibliography (of at least 5 sources)
- Your choice of any 3 Research Assignments
- Reflection Essay (2-3 pages)
Research Proposal Details:
Your research proposal (1-2 pages) will describe what you intend to accomplish in your potential essay. It will also explain your plan of action for completing the assignment. The Proposal will include:
- Your general topic: Begin with a general or broad topic that you are interested in pursuing for the Final Project.
- Your narrowed topic/focus: Narrow your topic to meet the requirements of the assignment in terms of length, sources, specificity, etc.
- Several (3-4) guiding research questions that you intend to answer in your essay: Pose a series of possible research questions you might explore related to your narrowed topic.
- Tentative argument/thesis: Pose a tentative argument or thesis to help clarify your project.
- Informal research: List a few sources where you will be able to learn about the topic in general or sources that you hope to find. (Include the title of key sources that have informed you about the topic including the source from class.)
- General goal or purpose of essay: Explore what you aim to accomplish in this essay; what would you like your readers to do/feel/think as a result of your essay?
Annotated Bibliography Details:
Your Annotated Bibliography will include MLA entries for at least 5 sources you found and short annotations. For each source, create the appropriate MLA entry and summarize the source and explain how you could use it in your potential essay (min. 5 sentences).
- 1 Reference Work
- 1 Book (ebooks allowed)
- 2 periodical articles (1 scholarly and 1 popular)
- 1 additional source of your choice (may include multimedia sources ie. video clip, song, image, etc.)
Research Assignment Details:
Complete any 3 of the following assignments.
Interview
Identify someone who could be a valuable, relevant source for your argument (consider SBCC faculty, or other experts) and conduct a face to face, skype, or phone interview with them. Make sure you record your interview. Describe why you chose this person, detail how you planned for the interview, transcribe 2 of your questions and his/her answers, and analyze the response. (2-3 pages)
Source Inquiry
Select a source from your annotated bibliography and develop its annotation. Explain in greater detail what the source is about, who the author is, how it relates to your text from class, its general relevance to your potential argument and include 3 integrated quotes in your response. (1-2 pages)
Abstract Inquiry
Read several abstracts (found in the beginning of scholarly articles), identify patterns, themes, requirements, etc. of all abstracts and create your own abstract for your potential argument. Essentially, explain what you learned about abstracts and write your own. (1-2 pages)
Database Inquiry
Using the Luria Library, identify 3 databases (not websites) that are especially relevant for your topic. Describe these databases, what types of sources they collect, and how they could help you support your potential argument. (1-2 pages)
Evaluating Sources
Complete a P.R.O.V.E.N. TestLinks to an external site. for one source on your annotated bibliography (use the Luria Library’s “Evaluating Sources” page on the “Real vs. Fake News: How to Avoid Lies, Hoaxes, Clickbait and Find the Truth” research guide). Do not use the same source from “source inquiry.” Write out each response in paragraph form. (no page requirement)
Synthesis
Read another work by Douglass (of at least 3 pages). Novels, essays, articles, book chapters are all acceptable. Summarize the additional work(s) you read. Connect this/these texts to the Narrative. Do you notice a theme throughout all of his works? Did you come across a work that complicated your understanding of Douglass’ body of work or persona? Explain what you learned about the author and his work from this additional reading. (1-2 pages)
Outline
Create an outline for this potential 7-8 page research essay. Paragraph by paragraph, describe what you would include and which sources you would reference. Make sure you mention all 5 sources from your Annotated Bibliography in your outline. Bullet points are acceptable. (no page requirement)
For example:
Paragraph 1: Generally introduce topic by describing in detail the topic of school segregation.
Paragraph 2: Connect to our current public education crisis to Douglass’ description of learning to read and write from his white peers. Use quote from chapter 7.
Reflection:
Reflect on this research project in 2-3 pages. Describe your process (idea generation, collaboration, researching, assignment selection, writing, etc.) and your takeaways about conducting research/planning a research paper at the college level. Make sure your response is detailed and draws larger conclusions about relevant topics associated with this assignment.
* The potential topics below are starting points. You would still need to articulate a potential thesis/argument using one of these topics. You are welcome to select a topic not listed. If you have any questions about your topic, or would like to get feedback before you begin, please email me.
The Narrative and the BLM movement
Douglass’ literacy and public education today
The role of women in slavery
The Narrative and incarceration in the U.S.
Religious hypocrisy