Unit I Assignment: This Assignment Has Three Parts Total Top

Unit I Assignmentthis Assignment Has Three Parts Total Topics Invento

This assignment has three parts total: Topics Inventory, Controlling Idea Statement, and Short Proposal. Submit all three parts in one document.

Part I: Topics Inventory

For the Topics Inventory, you will construct a list of topics from which you may choose one to develop into a Research Paper for this course. This exercise is based on the models on p. 318 of Strategies for Writing Successful Research Papers, so you will want to refer back to this page for examples. The book does not always provide three possible topics per category, but you will be required to do so.

Purpose: The purpose of this assignment is to help you formulate an inventory of topics that you are interested in so that you may choose one to research in Unit II and develop into a Research Proposal. Be sure to choose a topic that you are invested in, as you are more likely to be motivated and excited about a subject that interests you. You will want to choose a topic that is academically viable, for as Lester et al (2011) state, “You can’t write a personal essay and call it a research paper, yet you can choose topics close to your life” (p. 318).

Description: You will supply three (3) possible topics in each of the following four (4) categories: 1. Academic subject 2. Social issue 3. Scientific subject 4. Cultural background. Within each of these four categories, you will supply three (3) possible academic topics. Use the following format:

• 1. Personal interest
• 2. The category (repeated from above: academic study, social issue, scientific subject, and cultural background)
• 3. Three possible academic topics (each should be distinctive, developed, and as specific as possible)

After you complete Part I, you will have twelve (12) possible topics to choose from for your research project. You will select one for use in Part II and Part III.

Example: Academic study

• Personal interest: Cars
• Academic subject: Eco-engineering
• Possible academic topics:
• “The Fate of Hybrid Vehicles: The Cost Is Not Worth the Environmental Toll”
• “Hydrogen Cars: Are They a Safe Alternative?”
• “Electric Cars Are Not ‘Saving’ Environmental Resources, Only Saving Money at the Gas Pump”

This Topics Inventory is worth 40 points.

Part II: Controlling Idea Statement

Understanding your controlling idea will help you in researching for your Unit II paper. The purpose is to help you bridge your Topics Inventory and your Short Proposal by formulating a controlling idea statement, which could be a thesis, enthymeme, or hypothesis.

For this assignment, produce one controlling idea statement that is a clear, argument-based statement—not a question. It must be something you intend to prove or support with research. Choose a topic from your list, and decide whether you will craft a thesis, enthymeme, or hypothesis for your statement.

Follow these steps:

1. Select one topic from your twelve options.
2. Choose the type of statement you wish to craft (thesis, enthymeme, or hypothesis).
3. Draft your statement, using examples from the course materials as guidance.
4. Save and submit this controlling idea statement. It is worth 10 points.

Part III: Short Proposal

In this part, you will write a cohesive paragraph (word count between 150-200 words) developing a research proposal based on your chosen topic and controlling idea statement. Use APA citation style for all sources. If quoting, include quotation marks and a citation; if paraphrasing, cite appropriately. Include a references list at the end.

The brief proposal should include:

1. The specific research topic.
2. The purpose of the research, focused on an argumentative approach.
3. The intended audience.
4. Your voice as a writer (e.g., informer, advocate, concerned citizen).
5. The preliminary thesis statement or hypothesis.

This Short Proposal is worth 50 points. Refer to Chapter 14 of Strategies for Writing Successful Research Papers, page 331, for guidance.