Eh 1020 English Composition II Course Syllabus And Descripti
Eh 1020 English Composition Iicourse Syllabuscourse Descriptionadvanc
Identify the core assignment tasks: developing a topics inventory, creating a controlling idea statement, and formulating a short research proposal. These components are part of a course designed to teach research strategies, writing processes, and APA citation for academic papers, culminating in a research paper.
Construct a list of 12 potential research topics divided into four categories (academic, social, scientific, cultural), selecting specific topics within each. Develop a contestable thesis, enthymeme, or hypothesis related to one chosen topic, supporting an argument. Write a cohesive paragraph proposal integrating your topic, purpose, audience, voice, and preliminary thesis, citing sources in APA style. Include a references list. This process prepares for a comprehensive research paper, emphasizing formulation of research questions, arguments, and proper scholarly citation.
Paper For Above instruction
The assignment outlined in the course syllabus focuses on the initial stages of scholarly research and academic writing—specifically, the development of a topics inventory, a controlling idea statement, and a short research proposal. These steps are fundamental in preparing students for the ultimate goal of composing a well-researched, argumentative research paper that adheres to academic standards and citation practices. This paper will systematically address each component, illustrating how they interconnect as part of a comprehensive research process.
First, the process begins with constructing a topics inventory. Students are tasked with generating a list of twelve potential research topics, divided into four categories: academic subjects, social issues, scientific subjects, and cultural backgrounds. Each category must include three specific, distinctive, and sufficiently developed topics, enabling students to explore subjects they are genuinely interested in. For example, within academic subjects, a student might choose “The Fate of Hybrid Vehicles: The Cost Is Not Worth the Environmental Toll,” indicating a clear focus for investigation. Having multiple options in each category encourages broad research exploration and helps students identify topics that are both engaging and feasible for scholarly inquiry.
Next, students are guided to develop a controlling idea statement, often a thesis, enthymeme, or hypothesis, which serves as the central argument or claim of their research. This step emphasizes formulating a contestable and argumentative statement that invites evidence-based support. For instance, a thesis might assert, “Hydrogen cars offer a safer and more environmentally sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuel vehicles,” which the student will then aim to prove through research. Crafting this statement requires reflection on the chosen topic, considering which argument is most compelling and researchable. This stage ensures students transition from mere topic identification to developing a focused, argumentative stance that will underpin their entire research project.
Finally, the short research proposal synthesizes the previous work into a cohesive paragraph that outlines the specific research focus. It must include the selected topic, the purpose of the research (aiming to argue a particular position), the intended audience, the writer's voice (e.g., advocate, informer, concerned citizen), and a preliminary thesis or hypothesis. Proper APA citations are mandatory to demonstrate scholarly rigor, and a reference list must be included, excluding textbook sources. This proposal acts as a blueprint for the subsequent research paper, providing clarity on the research direction, the argumentative thesis, and the contextual framing. The process of drafting and refining this proposal prepares students for the depth and rigor required in academic research, fostering skills in argumentation, research planning, and scholarly citation.
In sum, these initial steps—topics inventory, controlling idea statement, and short proposal—are integral to effective research and academic writing. They help students narrow broad interests into specific, researchable questions, develop clear and defendable arguments, and plan their projects with clarity and purpose. Mastery of these components lays the groundwork for producing rigorous, well-supported research papers that meet academic standards and contribute meaningfully to scholarly discourse.
References
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