Assignments

Choose four readings from The Norton Reader or from outside sources on a topic you would like to pursue in a research paper. Write learning log entries for each selection and try to arrive at a question you would like to pursue further. Then, find two additional outside sources on that question and write learning log entries for them. Draft an essay using MLA style to document all sources you have consulted

Possible Subjects

  • Cultural Analysis
  • Education
  • Nature and the Environment
  • Language and Communication
  • Human Nature
  • Freedom, Power and, Justice
  • Ethics
  • History
  • Politics and Government
  • Gender, Race and Class
  • Science and Technology
  • Literature and the Arts
  • Philosophy and Religion.

Prewriting
1. Choose a topic

You will decide the general topic. Your job early in your reading will be to move your general topic into something more specific. Instead of the broad topic of Social Media, you could discuss your view on the effects texting has had on the English language. This is not a thesis however, because it has no claim, counterclaim or qualified  but is an essential narrowing of your topic. 

Example: Instead of the broad topic of Social Media, you could discuss your view on the effects texting has had on the English language. 

2. Writing your Research question

3. Writing your claim, counterclaim or qualification

4. Writing your Research paper Outline

General References

How to write a Synthesis Paper (Wikihow) This source is a nice read if you are looking to get a general sense of how to put together your paper. It also provides a very helpful structure for writing just about any research paper in the future.