English 102.003
Spring, 2006
Dr. Stewart

Project 2: Annotated Bibliography and Proposal

Description and Schedule (subject to change)

This project is in preparation for Project 3. You will be constructing an annotated bibliography regarding a topic/argument you want to explore and discuss (See page 66 of EOA for a sample annotated bib). Remember that you're exploring the moral and ethical dimensions of institutions. If you desire to continue with the Project 1 (Academic Honesty), feel free to do so.

Annotated Bibliography:You will need to find 6-8 articles (a mixture of scholarly articles (at least 3) and "casual" but reliable articles from the internet or newspapers on a topic of your choice. (Consider government documents as reliable but not scholarly). The sources should express a wide variety (at least 3) opinions or perspectives regarding the topic. For each article, you will need to:

• Write a summary wherein you identify the author's argument and information the author uses to support the argument. Include relevant and important quotations from the article.
• Write a response to the author's article
• Identify how you would use this in your project

Each entry should be 300-500 words.

Proposal: Once you have written your bib entries, write a 500 word proposal regarding the paper for Project 3 using some of the sources you identified in your bibliography. For instance, you might begin your proposal with something like this:

Sam Jones in (article) explains that (argument). In another article written for an entirely different audience, Anna Williams asserts (argument). While I see the advantages of both ideas, I suggest that ________ (your argument).

As you write this, it might be helpful for you to return to page 23 of EOA ("Do You Have an Arguable Issue?") to guide the remainder of your proposal.

Please note that if you identify a topic that I can't possibly be fair when it comes time for me to read and evaluate your paper, I'll ask you to change your topic. This is for your own protection.

Also note that you should avoid an issue wherein you can't objectively examine or contemplate other perspectives.

Although we're discussing the moral and ethical dimensions of various institutions, avoid explicitly saying "this is immoral or unethical."

Make sure this topic is relevant for you--something in which you have a personal stake--so that you can include examples from your life or those of your family or friends.

SCHEDULE FOR PROJECT 2

The following schedule is subject to change. I will very likely add writing assignments when I see that they are helpful and necessary.

You'll also continue work with your casebook (scenarios and newspaper articles); however, it would probably be in your best interests and would save you time if your newspaper articles deal with the topic you're working on

Week 5: Feb 13-17
M: Feb 13 EOA, Chapter 2. Be familiar with the term "rhetorical situation" and the 5 components includuing (1) text, (2) reader or audience, (3) author, (4) constraints, and (5) exigence

W: Feb 15 EOA, Chapter 3; hand in one entry for your annotated bibliography today. Follow this link for what we're doing in class today.

F: Feb 17: Discussion of casebook

Week 6: Feb 20-24
M: Feb 20 Good People, Chapter 3; more work with library databases

W: Feb 22 Good People, Chapter 4; Discussion of casebook

F: Feb 24 To Be Announced

Week 7: Feb 27-March 3
M: Feb 27 EOA Chapter 4

W: March 1: EOA Chapter 5

F: March 3 Good People, Chapter 5; Annotated Bibliography/Proposal; Casebook Due

Tentative checklist

• Bib Entry and (scholarly) article handed in on Feb. 15 (or 17) with my comments
• In addition to the above entry, at least 2 other scholarly articles with bib entries
• At least 3 other "casual" articles and entries
• Proposal
• If you were not in class on Wed., Feb. 15, follow this link and complete the worksheet.
• Casebook:
  • 6 scenarios/situations
  • 6 articles (not including the articles included in your bibliography). Remember, the articles for your casebook can consist of newspaper articles, websites, and so on. These articles can cover anything and do not have to be associated with this project (however, it would probably be to your benefit if those items were associated with your topic).

   

Sample Proposal

Project 3: Researched Argument

Description

After you compile and hand in your bibliography, you'll be working on and writing a researched argument which will probably be due the Friday after Spring Break. Remember the following as you write your paper:

• You're writing on the moral and ethical dimensions of an institution; your writing should be in the form of an argument
• This is a researched argument paper, not a report
• You should be able to address multiple (more than 2) perspectives
• Avoid coming to an over-simplified conclusion. In fact, it's possible that you won't be able to come to any conclusion at all, that all solutions are flawed, but this is, at the time, the best we can do. Indeed, if I see that you have over-simplified the issue, have come to a good/bad, right/wrong conclusion, chances are that I will return the paper to you and require extensive revision
• Address your topic in such a way that you acknowledge other points of view
• Consider how somone who disagrees with you would respond (and even if I agree with you, I'll probably disagree with you as a matter of principle)
  
• Include research (quotations from scholarly and other sources)
• Make sure this topic is relevant for you--something in which you have a personal stake--so that you can include examples from your life or those of your family or friends

Details:

• 5-7 pages (not include works cited), properly documented (5 pages doesn't mean 4.5 pages)
• Include a works cited page
• Double-spaced, Times New Roman 12 pt.
• Include an interesting title

I'll post the schedule for Project 3 prior to the completion of Project 2--probably around week 7.