RESEARCH & WRITING
Writing assignments are designed to help you develop your critical thinking skills, not just about the texts, but also in linking key themes of those texts to the larger theme(s) of the class and to your lives. Therefore, there are no proscribed answers; your task is to use the writing assignments to pose a central question and to find and use the best textual evidence that will help you to answer it.
Failure to follow basic directions you've been given for the assignment will result in a severe reduction of overall grade or an "F."
Typical Writing Assignments and Handouts
Response Papers
Response papers give you the opportunity to follow an idea or theme or character closely in an informal presentation style. Sometimes, I will hand out a brief prompt for a response paper; mostly, however, I encourage you to take a point from class discussion and to expand on it to develop your own critical viewpoint. It is informal in that you are encouraged to connect the topic with your own personal experiences and feelings. However, those views must be balanced with textual evidence so that it isn't a journal entry.
After reading and taking your notes, write a draft you can revise before turning it in. Often, I will ask for 500-word response papers (2 pages), not counting the "Work(s) Cited" page. What the page limit means, then, is that your ideas must be presented in a clear, cogent, and concise manner. While you can use somewhat informal language for these assignments (e.g., "I"), you must turn in work that is edited and is clearly understood, and error-free.
You should use the response paper as a way of helping you to collate your ideas as you prepare for formal assignments. So, the better job you do with these papers, the better prepared you are for other worked you will be asked to do. Papers will be awarded the following grades:
√+ (A); √ (B); √- (C); or, 0 (F).
An Intelligent response often is
Knowledgable: It demonstrates familiarity with and understanding of the text by referring to it often.
Interesting: It offers new or unusual insights about the text
Thoughtful: While it may contain some emotional response, it does so with balance and respect for the text.
Organized: It uses an organizational plan to present its ideas about the text, step by step.
Rational: It uses logic and reason in presenting its ideas
Well-supported: It offers reasonable supporting details for the ideas it develops about the text
from http://www.tc.umn.edu/~jewel001/CollegeWriting/WRITEREAD/way%20of.htm
Sample Response Paper #1
Sample Response Paper #2
Sample Response Paper #3
Expository Argumentative Papers
Expository papers ask you to develop a thesis statement, to find textual evidence that supports and/or challenges your perspectives, to demonstrate close reading skills in analyzing and evaluating evidence, and, sometimes, to incorporate outside research. In my lower-division classes, expect to write a thesis-driven essay by the end of the semester. Preceding assignments will ask you to develop specific skills (e.g., close reading, incorporating textual evidence, writing a thesis statement, etc.). Below are some sample prompts.
Sample #1
This paper, which is 6-8 pp. in length, will help you to develop a critical question and to write an argumentative essay. You will learn to ask a good critical question, find the most useful textual support. Additionally, you will also learn how to structure an essay from introduction to conclusion. We will work this paper in multiple drafts and with peer editors. You are also required to use the Writing Center if asked.
Sample #2
The 8-10 pp. paper, your final for the course, must demonstrate knowledge that reflects the course readings and also extends it beyond the given parameters of the classroom. You should select a topic you find interesting. After you identify your topic, you will meet with me to outline, to clarify and explain or counterpoint your issue. The paper must show rigorous critical thinking skills and be well structured with a specific support through the use of concrete data and illustrations, taken from and class readings. You are not expected to do outside research for the paper. A topic will be due the ninth week of classes, and you will meet with me at least twice. Once you have chosen your topic and I have approved it, you cannot change it, so pick carefully! Approval is necessary for you to continue with the paper! You will also work with peer partners and work in drafts, perhaps including in-class workshopping.
Sample #3
3-5 pp. For this paper, you are asked to delve more deeply into one of the themes we have discussed in class. You must effectively demonstrate your ability to make an argument by having a strong thesis statement in your introduction and by analyzing key – relevant – scenes from at least two, but no more than three, class texts. You will be graded on your ability to: 1) present an original argument; 2) to use well-chosen literary evidence to help you interpret the text; 3) to communicate clearly and effectively by using your own natural writing voice. Clear, comprehensible and energetic writing is the most convincing!
Sample #4
Download here
Film/Book Reviews
Film and/or book reviews are excellent ways of developing a critical voice and to examine an text/theme/idea that we may not get a chance to do during the semester. Below is the prompt I generally use for this assignment.
To fulfill this assignment, you will turn in a two-page review and response to the film you have chosen. Please review carefully the “How to Write a Film Review” handout in my writing guide before sitting down to write. In the paper, do not outline the plot. You are being asked to do analysis, not description. Connect the film to the larger themes of our class and/or a text(s)which may have overlapping themes.
For your presentation, you should send a brief plot summary and the key points of your review to the class via moodle a week before your presentation due date. During your presentation, you may clarify or add points to those you have already sent (about 2 minutes). You will then have five minutes to field questions/comments. Plan ahead. You will be cut off at 7 minutes! Your grade for the review, which is due the date of your presentation, will be based upon the quality of your work as well as the quality of questions/comments you make to others. No make-ups unless you have a documented emergency or prior permission from me.
Resources
Research
Armacost Library's Help page
Writing
Writing Guide (made specifically for my students)
Sample Graded Papers
Sample Graded Paper #1
Sample Graded Paper #2