Research Paper about youth suicide
Kachasun
finalpaperoutline_comments-2.pptxFinal Research PAper
Final Research Paper: What’s the New Cognition? Estrangement in Octavia’s Brood
For your final paper, please select a novum you find cognitively estranging in one short story. Using outside research, write a 6-8 page, double spaced, 1 inch margins, 12pt font, Times New Roman research paper that investigates the new cognition the estrangement leads you to explore. The page requirement does NOT include the Works Cited.
Final version due to Canvas 3/20 before 11:59 pm.
Your bibliography should have at least 10 sources to support your argument and to detail what the new cognition is for you on this particular issue. Darko Suvin’s “Estrangement and Cognition” and the short story of your choice count as two of the ten sources.
At least three of your sources must be from academic, peer-reviewed journals. The other five (min.) can be from popular sources.
You need one quote in every paragraph, Sections 3-6.
Organization, Section I
2 paragraphs that outline the claim, complete with stakes. Recall, strong claims are specific, take a stand on something controversial, and they matter. Your claim should provide a map for the paper.
This part you will constantly be revising
Most important part of paper
Functions as a map, all the important points are mapped in claim, then expanded in the other sections (Think Suvin Summary, Paragraph 1)
section 2
2 paragraphs that introduce the short story, name a specific novum, discuss why it’s estranging for you (first person), what assumption it interrupts for you, and what new cognition you have reached because of this estrangement. This section must have:
A definition of cognitive estrangement (borrow from Summary Papers) which includes a proper introduction of the essay and the author Darko Suvin. Include an explanation of why reading science fiction is good for current political struggles. I suggest beginning this section with Suvin.
A proper introduction of the short story and author
One specific novum
A quote describing the novum, properly cited from the short story
A description of why it is estranging for you (no one else)
Name the assumption/social norm it interrupts
Describe the new thinking this estrangement generates/BRIDGE to research focus
The short story is just a springboard, a place to launch the rest of your paper from. It is the inspiration behind the exploration of whatever social issue you chose. Here is one way to transition in Section 2:
In “Estrangement and Cognition,” Darko Suvin argues SF can lead to social change because it has the potential to change how readers understand themselves and their worlds. The novum, or new thing, in an otherwise recognizable environment, creates a distance between the reader and what she thinks she already knows. This distance engenders a critical vantage on a norm or assumption which allows new thinking, or a new cognition, on an otherwise unquestioned subject.
In Vagabond’s “Kafka’s Last Laugh” the lack of voting was a novum that estranged me. [insert quote describing the lack of voting]. This is estranging to me because I grew up being told that my vote matters. My alienation […] led me to question my assumption about […]. My estrangement in the short story leads me to consider the current debates about activism, art and social change. More specifically, I am interested in how […] and I argue […]
Section III:
Two or Three paragraphs describing the problem. Persuasively paint a picture of the context you are writing within. Use your research strategically, and in a focused manner, to set up the social issue you choose. (Who, what, where, when, etc.)
How you describe the problem should be carefully considered. Remember, this is an argument paper, so you want to intentionally portray the problem in a way that sets you up to make a powerful claim.
Use (and explain) specialized terms particular to your topic
Quote experts to help frame the problem (1 quote per paragraph, using Quote Method)
Show the complexity of your issue
Make your reader care
Section IV
Use your research to write a few paragraphs describing the differing sides of the debate. Remember, most issues have more than two sides. This section should strategically describe who is saying what about your social issue. You can’t summarize everyone, so pick strategically. Who/or what perspective do you see yourself arguing with??? You must narrow in on who you are debating with and summarize the pieces of their claim relevant to your claim.
There should be a lot of “According to So and So, the leading expert on blahblah […]” and “However, policy expert So and So suggests the opposite in her article “Blah blah blah” where she argues for blah.” Use: Conversely, On the other hand, Similarly, Interestingly…
Section v
Write at least TWO Paragraphs inserting what you are arguing about the issue—what are you contributing to these debates? What are they missing, misreading, or ignoring (for example)? What are you arguing? Take a stand. This is YOU talking to the experts in Section 4, about the problem described in Section 3.
Time to interject your claim within the context you created thus far. Three Strategies:
1) Agreeing but with a difference
2) Disagreeing with Reasons
3) Okay, but…
See “They Say, I Say”: Entering Academic Conversations
section vi
Demand a solution. Make a suggestion about what you think should happen. Considering everything you have read and thought about, what do you think needs to happen to make things better? Recall the spirit of the short stories, what kind of change do you want to see, even if it is “risky business”?
Think BIG! What should happen? What needs to change?
You don’t have to fix everything but you do need to educate yourself on what other people are saying should be done.
You can use other people’s ideas and point the reader in that direction.
Is there an organization with a plan you like? A particular law you think will help? An area that should be funded/defunded?
Formula for Paragraphs with Quotes
Remember, paragraphs develop ONE main argument.
Structure:
Topic Sentence argument (top bun)
Develop your argument
Set up the Quote (Step One)
Insert the Quote Properly (use correct citation)
Explain the Quote (Step Three)
State the Implications of your Quote (Step FOUR)—MAKE IT WORK FOR YOU!
Restate your topic sentence (bottom bun)
Section VII
Conclusion Paragraph: One paragraphs where you restate your claim in a more nuanced way. Make sure to end of the stakes, or why your argument matters.
Grading Rubric for the Final Research Paper
35% of Overall Grade
A Complex, Persuasive Claim Complete with Stakes 8 points
Research Requirements & Proper Bibliography 5 points
Fulfill Required Sections 9 points
Paragraph Structure/Incorporation of Evidence 9 points
Length, Overall Grammar and Attention to Detail 4 points
Reminders
6-8 pages of written material (does not include Works Cited). 6 full pages (not one line shorter) is the minimum.
Using Noodle Tools, a Works Cited page with 10 sources, min. of 3 must be academic. Must be properly cited according to MLA (alphabetical order, etc.)
“I” statements are okay for this paper. You must use “I” when discussing why it is estranging for you. You can then choose strategically to convert to third person.
No second person unless you qualify it and get my ok.
Use an argumentative, confident tone (not opinion, even if it is your opinion). “This essay argues for” “I demonstrate,” etc.
REminders
Cite your sources, make them work for you! Leverage them strategically to make your argument more powerful and convincing. Situate yourself in conversation with other scholars. “According to Kate Boyd in “blah blah,” small dogs make people happier” and therefore, there is a direct correlation between small dogs, happy people and long lives.”
Periods and commas go INSIDE quotations:
This: “In Kate Boyd’s paper, she argues blah.”
Not This: “In Kate Boyd’s paper, she argues blah”.
Conclusion: A paragraph that restates your claim in a different way. Stakes should be clear, its always a powerful writing strategy to end on the stakes of your argument.
REminders
You can and should come to office hours
You can and should go to the Writing Center
You must use MLA. If you do not know how, look it up!
Please review the rubric
You will not get written feedback, but if you want comments come visit me next quarter.
Participation grades will be finalized on March 20th.
