Liberal Studies Senior Research/Essay

LBST 4800 Paper Guidelines

ESSAY TOPIC: Broken English, Ebonics etc., why should it be allowed and incorporated in the classroom for K-12

1) Opening

·         What is your main research topic?

·         What is the main issue that brought you to the topic?

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·         What is your main thesis?

o   What are you saying in regards to the topic?

§  This should be an outgrowth of: agree, disagree, or agree to a certain extent with the research you have already been working with.

2) They Say

·         Who are the interlocutors in your research project?

o   Summarize to the class the position of each scholarly article that you found on library research day. Explain their main arguments.

o   Be sure to describe both positions. What do they argue?

3) I Say

·         Do you agree, disagree, or somewhat agree/disagree with the interlocutors you have picked out? Why?

o   Describe to the class what position you are taking and defend it—explain why you think you are right. What evidence do you have to suggest that you are correct?

o   This will require providing your own original research that will support what you are arguing.

·         Plant a naysayer

o   What is one possible objection that someone could have to what you are saying?

·         Respond to the Objection

o   How would you respond to the objection

4) Why it Matters?

·         Explain why this topic matters- this could involve a linking back to the news item or contemporary implications for the project. Answer the so what? question.

5) Conclusion

·         Close your presentation by discussing your main thesis once again and how you have supported it.