Annotated Bibliography:Workshop

Essay #3 Project Text

Purpose         To take a stand and formulate a thesis concerning an issue from Michael Pollan’s Omnivore’s Dilemma, our readings, or from class discussions.

                       To support that thesis with convincing reasons from the text and outside sources

                       To provide development and support for your ideas

                       To demonstrate your understanding of essay structure

                       To learn to conduct research and correctly use MLA citation 

 Readings       Articles from reputable web sites, editorials from major newspapers (L.A. Times, New York Times, Washington Post) or periodicals (Newsweek, Time, Atlantic Monthly), or websites (CNN, MSNBC, ABC, CBS) and online databases (Lexis/Nexis, Infotrac, etc.). 

Background   This assignment requires you to take a stand on one issue from Michael Pollan’s Omnivore’s Dilemma, our readings, or from class discussions. You are welcome to use the SAME issue from your blog, but you must revise it substantially if you do. You will then research the issue, develop a thesis about it, and construct a persuasive essay supporting your ideas. You must include a consideration of the opposition.  The issue must be debatable and have reasonable opinions on both sides.

Proposal         You will write a short (one or two paragraph) proposal about your issue, typed, and double-spaced.  This proposal will include your issue, a tentative thesis, and a brief background. If you need some suggestions, please see me early in the process for help choosing your issue.

Writing Task    Once you have learned as much as you can about this issue, respond to the following question in a well-argued essay:

Where do you stand on this issue and why?

This essay will be constructed as an academic argument and therefore should be well reasoned, supported with logic-based evidence, and balanced through the consideration of the opposing viewpoint.  Preparation for this paper must include an Annotated Bibliography with a minimum of six (6) items not including The Omnivore’s Dilemma.  The essay should be focus on a general, academic audience.

Annotated Bibliography: Worth 50 points

An Annotated Bibliography is a descriptive listing of print and online resources you have found about your topic. It is NOT the Works Cited page.  Each annotation lists the resource in correct MLA (Modern Language Association) citation style. This formal style demonstrates your ability to communicate with other scholars, creating a path for them to follow your research process. Developing information and research competence skills is part of a solid college education.

Steps

*          Locate information

*          Select the most useful information for your project

*          Evaluate the quality of the information that you find

*          Note the bibliographic information (author, title, etc.)

*          Write a brief summary of the information (three sentences)

*          Choose one appropriate, direct quote

*          Incorporate that information into your essay assignment

You must have at least six (6) resources, and at least three sentences of description and one quote for each.  Entries must be in MLA style.

Essay: Worth 200 points

Be sure your essay contains all of the following points:

1.                  A title that represents your perspective of the situation or problem that is addressed in your paper.

2.                  A strong introduction that indicates what your paper’s position is, what your argument is, and why you have chosen it.

3.                  A summary of the perspective of the outside sources you are quoting, especially the parts you agree and disagree with.

4.                  Substantial evidence that serves to convince the reader you are correct.  Make sure the outside sources corroborating your position are reliable and credible.

5.                  A clear counter-argument and refutation of this argument

6.                  At least three pertinent, direct quotes from the outside source you are arguing against, and at least three pertinent, direct quotes from the source that backs up your perspective.

7.                  A strong conclusion that wraps up your perspective in a manner that allows your reader to understand your opinion.

8.                  A Works Cited page

9.                  MLA documentation and style.

When you compose an argument you should write with a skeptical reader in mind.  Offer logical arguments backed with the best evidence, testimony, and authority you can find. This is the last essay of the 113AB Stretch, so use this essay as a way of showing you are ready for any college writing.

This is a formal essay of five full pages.  Multiple, typed drafts and revisions are mandatory.  Proper MLA format on clear, typed pages are expected. The pages must be typed, double-spaced, one-inch margins, ragged right, using Times New Roman 12 point font.

Remember:  No late papers, including drafts, will be accepted