Research Paper (English First year level)

ENGL 1101: Introduction to University Writing A4-1

TRU Open Learning

Assignment 4: Research Paper (50 marks, 30%) Instructions In this assignment, you will produce a 1500-word research paper based on the research topic you chose for Assignment 3: Annotated Bibliography.

The general topic for this assignment is:

“The impact of digital technology.”

You will need to significantly narrow down the topic to a specific focus that interests you. For example, you can explore the impact of digital technology on education, on political participation, on interpersonal communication, or on business strategies. You could also focus on the impact of digital media on different aspects of our wellbeing, i.e., social, psychological, physical, occupational, etc.

Based on the specific topic for your annotated bibliography, you are expected to locate this topic in the existing knowledge, identify a knowledge deficit, and make a new claim which will be supported by reasoned argument.

Please adhere to the following guidelines for the organization of your research paper.

Introduction: Your introduction should sketch the typical rhetorical moves academic writers make as they find a position for themselves:

• Describe the existing knowledge on a topic by way of summary and citations from other sources.

• Identify the knowledge deficit, i.e., something missing, inadequate, or hidden in the view expressed in the existing knowledge, or something more complicated than that view.

• Make a thesis claim that will address the gap (knowledge deficit) in the existing knowledge.

You must draw on at least one of the articles in your annotated bibliography to examine the existing knowledge, identify a knowledge deficit, and make a thesis claim.

Refer to Unit 4, Topic 1 for features of introductions.

A4-2 Assignment 4: Research Paper

TRU Open Learning

Body Paragraphs: The body part of your research paper—the main components of your paper— should provide argument and reasoning that justify the thesis claim you have made in the introduction.

Each paragraph of your body will need a guiding/topic sentence. A guiding/topic sentence functions as a way for the writer to signal to the reader that the paper is moving to the next section. Guiding/topic sentences should call up key words and phrases from the thesis claim and guide the reader’s interpretations of the details that follow.

Body paragraphs are also where you cite sources to provide evidence for your argument. There are three general ways to incorporate sources into your paper: summary, paraphrase, and direct citation. Decisions about which to use when are decided by the emphasis you wish to make on certain points. Summary and paraphrase are used to make more generalized claims, while direct citation is used to discuss details. A balance of all three is typical.

The number of body paragraphs for your research paper is best decided as you draft, consult sources again, determine what information you want to present, and decide what you want to emphasize.

Refer to Unit 4, Topic 2 for the structure of body paragraphs.

Conclusion: Students are often told to restate the thesis in the conclusion of their essay. The goal for the conclusion of a scholarly research paper, however, is not only to summarize the main points you have made in your paper, but also to provide avenues for other writers to create new knowledge from what you have said.

You want to refer to your thesis, reminding readers of the main concepts the paper has addressed. But you want to go further than that. Some further gestures you can make in your conclusion include: a statement of the relevance or significance of your argument, an indication of the limitations of your argument, a suggestion of areas for further research, and a presentation of solutions to the problem or a call for action.

Imagine your paper as part of a conversation undertaken by people who care about your topic. Your conclusion should include what you feel is most important—what you want your reader to remember most significantly.

Refer to Unit 4, Topic 3 for features of conclusions.

This assignment does not require you to conduct primary research (surveys, interviews, etc.). You are expected to work with secondary sources (books, articles, government and scholarly websites, etc.).

ENGL 1101: Introduction to University Writing A4-3

TRU Open Learning

To support your argument in the research paper, you can draw on articles in your annotated bibliography, other articles on our course reading list that you did not include in your annotated bibliography, or new sources you have found (minimum four and maximum 10 sources). When you draw on new sources outside the course reading list, make sure they are credible scholarly sources.

You are expected to construct a title and abstract for your research paper that reflect the focus of your discussion

Refer to Unit 4, Topic 4 for help with titles and abstracts.

Refer to the APA File Template formatting (available in your online files).

Marking Guide (50 marks) Marking Criteria Excellent Very good Satisfactory Does Not Meet

Expectations

Structure and Style

The assignment accurately uses required APA format for setting up the paper, including the title, abstract, in- text citations, and references. There is logical and appropriate overall organization.

(5 marks)

• Excellent use of APA formatting

• Judicious arrangement of ideas

• Unifying effect or controlling idea is successfully sustained and integrated

• Good use of APA formatting

• Purposeful arrangement of ideas

• Unifying effect or controlling idea coherently sustained

• Satisfactory use of APA formatting

• Straightforwar d arrangement of ideas

• Unifying effect or controlling idea is presented and maintained, but coherence may falter

• APA formatting does not meet expectations

• Discernable but ineffectual arrangement of ideas

• Unifying effect or controlling idea is inconsistently maintained

Content

The introduction clearly demonstrates the typical rhetorical moves of existing knowledge on the topic, knowledge deficit, and thesis claim.

(5 marks)

• Carefully crafted introduction makes excellent use of rhetorical moves

• Well- organized introduction makes use of rhetorical moves

• Paper introduces knowledge and knowledge deficit, and makes a thesis claim

• Introduction does not meet expectations

A4-4 Assignment 4: Research Paper

TRU Open Learning

Marking Criteria Excellent Very good Satisfactory Does Not Meet Expectations

Body paragraphs incorporate information from multiple sources to support the thesis claim. There are topic sentences for body paragraphs that call up key words and phrases from the thesis, and guide the reader’s interpretations of the details that follow.

(15 marks)

• Insightful body paragraphs incorporate information from multiple sources to support the thesis claim

• Topic sentences for body paragraphs call up key words and phrases from the thesis, and guide the reader’s interpretations of the details that follow

• Well- organized body paragraphs support the thesis claim

• Topic sentences for body paragraphs guide the reader’s interpretations of the details that follow

• Body paragraphs support the thesis claim

• Topic sentences for body paragraphs state the intent of the paragraph

• Body paragraphs do not meet expectations

There is a concluding paragraph that not only summarizes the main points of the paper, but also makes other rhetorical moves such as offering possibilities for further research or information about the relevance of the argument.

(5 marks)

• An excellent concluding paragraph summarizes the main points of the paper and makes other rhetorical moves such as offering possibilities for further research or information about the relevance of the argument

• A strong concluding paragraph summarizes the main points of the paper

• A concluding paragraph summarizes the main points of the paper

• Concluding paragraph does not meet expectations

Coherence and relevance exist among ideas. There is a logical progression of ideas that support the overarching thesis claim of the paper. No gaps or disconnections exist between different points or paragraphs. There is a balance of the writer’s own ideas and citations from sources.

(10 marks)

• Excellent balance of writer’s own ideas and citations from the text

• Coherence and relevance of ideas creatively supports the overarching thesis claim of the paper

• Strong balance of writer’s own ideas and citations from the text

• Coherence and relevance of ideas supports the overarching thesis claim of the paper

• Ideas are coherent and relevant, and support the overarching thesis claim of the paper

• Coherence, relevance, and/or progression does not support thesis claim

ENGL 1101: Introduction to University Writing A4-5

TRU Open Learning

Marking Criteria Excellent Very good Satisfactory Does Not Meet Expectations

Writing

Sentences are grammatically correct. Ideas are clearly and accurately expressed. Academic tone and style are applied. Language of attribution is correctly used when sources are cited.

(10 marks)

• Skillful stylistic choices contribute to an academic tone, clarity of content, and a convincing voice

• Attributive verbs are well integrated throughout the paper

• No or very few grammatical/usag e/punctuation errors

• Stylistic choices contribute to an academic tone, clarity of content, and an appropriate voice

• Attributive verbs are used throughout to refer to ideas of the author

• Few grammatical/u sage/punctuati on errors

• An academic tone and style are applied.

• Attributive verbs are used throughout to refer to ideas of the author

• Several grammatical/u sage/punctuati on errors

• Ideas may not be clearly expressed

• Tone may not be appropriate for an academic summary

• Attributive verbs may not be effectively used.

• Grammatical/ usage/ punctuation errors impede understanding of the assignment

Total marks out of 50 = _______

Submission Requirements Submit Assignment 4 after you have completed Unit 4.

Note

You should not submit this assignment until you have received a grade for Assignment 3.