Research Proposal Essay Literature & Language Research Proposal

Instructions:
Introduction
10 points
Sets up a complex problem to be solved by the writer's project. Includes clear typical assumptions about the full topic, a challenge to those assumptions, and a definite thesis. Gives thorough context for the conversation on the topic that is unbiased. Tone engages readers' interests and persuades them to read more.
8 points
Attempts to set up a problem to be solved by the writer's project, but may lack some needed detail. Includes typical assumptions about the full topic, a challenge to those assumptions, and a definite thesis, but one or all of these may need more examples to be persuasive. Gives some context for the conversation on the topic and attempts to be unbiased. Tone engages readers' interests and persuades them to read more.
6 points
Attempts to set up a problem to be solved by the writer's project, but writes in very general terms that make this part unpersuasive. Does not include one of the following: assumptions about the full topic, a challenge to those assumptions, and a definite thesis. Gives little context for the conversation on the topic and appears to be somewhat biased. Tone attempts to engage readers, but is not overly persuasive.
0 points
Does not set up a problem to be solved by the writer's project. Or does not include two of the following: assumptions about the full topic, a challenge to those assumptions, and a definite thesis. Gives no context for the conversation on the topic and appears to be biased. Tone does not engage readers.
/ 10
History
10 points
Explains the choice of historical period to be examined. Describes major moments of both social issue and pop culture form during that time period. Specific examples are named. Uses at least two visual sources that persuade and relate logically to information. Uses at least three written sources to explain the history of the social issue as seen within the pop culture form. History is presented logically, with complex detail, so that readers get a full picture of the topic. History is presented without bias to only one point of view. Uses a unique and interesting subheading.
8 points
Explains the choice of historical period to be examined. Describes moments of both social issue and pop culture form during that time period, although some examples may be less persuasive. Specific examples are named. Uses at least two visual sources that persuade and relate logically to information. Uses at least three written sources to explain the history of the social issue as seen within the pop culture form. History is presented logically, with acceptable information, so that readers get a picture of the topic, although more detail may be needed. History is presented without bias to only one point of view. Uses a traditional subheading.
6 points
Explains the choice of historical period to be examined. Describes moments of social issue and pop culture form during that time period, although the examples may not tie the two together persuasively or may not fit logically together. Specific examples are named. Uses at least two visual sources, but these may lack an obvious connection to the topic. Uses at least three written sources to explain the history of the social issue as seen within the pop culture form. Attempt at presenting history logically is made, although the full picture may contain bias that makes the overall explanation less persuasive. Uses a traditional subheading.
0 points
Does not describe the full topic (social issue IN pop culture form) and instead focuses only on the social issue, or only on the pop culture form. Historical period is not logically defined and seems random. Examples may not tie the two together persuasively. Specific examples are not named. Does not use at least two visual sources, or sources do not relate logically to information. Does not use at least three written sources, or sources are overused to the point where the writer's voice is lost. Contains significant bias that makes the overall explanation less persuasive. Or, the history portion is significantly incomplete. Does not use a subheading.
/ 10
Current Trends
10 points
Explains in complex detail how and why things have changed in today's culture. Gives specific reasons for this change. If things haven't changed, explains why not with specific reasons. Uses at least two written sources and two image sources that logically relate to current trends. Specific examples are named. Examples are current and engage with recent trends that are relevant to the overall topic. Uses own personal experiences as part of explanation of trends. Uses a unique and interesting subheading.
8 points
Explains in detail how and why things have changed in today's culture, but may lack some complexity. Gives reasons for this change, but may not be well-developed. If things haven't changed, explains why not with specific reasons. Uses at least two written sources and two image sources that logically relate to current trends. Specific examples are named. Examples are current and engage with recent trends that are relevant to the overall topic. Uses own personal experiences as part of explanation of trends, but these may not be complex. Uses a traditional subheading.
6 points
Attempts to explain how and why things have changed in today's culture, but reasons may be vague. If things haven't changed, attempts to explain why not, but may lack enough reasons. Uses at least two written sources and two image sources that logically relate to current trends. Specific examples are named. Examples are current and but may lack some connection with recent trends that are relevant to the overall topic. Uses little personal experiences as part of explanation of trends. Uses a traditional subheading.
0 points
Does not explain how and why things have changed in today's culture. If things haven't changed, does not attempt to explain why not. Does not use at least two written sources and two image sources, or sources do not logically relate to current trends. Specific examples are not named. Examples are not current and lack connection with recent trends. Examples are not relevant to the overall topic. Uses no personal experience as part of explanation of trends. Overall, current trends section is incomplete. Does not use a subheading.
/ 10
Artifact Rationale (Written Portion Only)
10 points
Gives complex context for the creation of the artifact (explains why it was chosen). Describes what people should learn from the artifact with specific examples. Explains how the artifact contributes to the conversation. Writing directly connects to content of artifact and refers to it in detail.
0 points
N/A
5 points
Gives some context for the creation of the artifact, but does not provide much detail. Attempts to describe what people should learn from the artifact, but reasons are unclear or do not logically relate to the overall project argument. Attempts to explain how the artifact contributes to the conversation, but the connections are not always logical. Writing refers to the content of artifact in some detail.
0 points
No context is given for the creation of the artifact and it appears "dropped in." Does not describe what people should learn from the artifact. Does not explain how the artifact contributes to the conversation. Writing mainly summarizes how the artifact was made without any critical connection to the project argument or goals. Or, does not refer specifically to the content of artifact. Or, rationale is significantly incomplete.
/ 10
Artifact (Creation and Implementation within Project)
10 points
Artifact is clearly the writer's own work. Any media used in the artifact not created by the writer is credited in the Works Cited. Choice of artifact type logically connects to overall project goals. Artifact relates to both social issue and pop culture form. It is effectively embedded within the Rationale section so that it becomes a persuasive part of the writer's overall argument in the project.
0 points
N/A
5 points
Artifact is present, but it does not meet the terms of the assignment. Credit is given for the attempt at creating the artifact, but the artifact does not logically relate to the full topic of the project.
0 points
Artifact is not present. Or, it appears to be someone else's work rather than the writer's, and the media used to create it is uncredited.
/ 10
Conclusion
10 points
Makes a direct argument about the full topic. Tries to convince readers of what the Next Step for the issue should be. The solution (next step) is complex, specific, and logically relates to the overall project. Answers the "So What?" question of why the writer's research matters and what they have added to the conversation. Gives specific and complex implications for the project, describing how it affects the real world and what is at stake. Avoids summary of previous ideas and focuses on the future.
8 points
Makes a direct argument about the full topic. Tries to convince readers of what the Next Step for the issue should be, but may lack some detail. The solution (next step) is logically related to the overall project, but may lack complexity. Answers the "So What?" question of why the writer's research matters and what they have added to the conversation. Gives implications for the project, but may not give details on how it affects the real world and what is at stake. Avoids summary of previous ideas and focuses on the future.
6 points
Attempts an argument about the full topic, although it may not be persuasive. Tries to convince readers of what the Next Step for the issue should be, but may lack significant detail. The solution (next step) is attempted, but may not logically relate to the overall project. Attempts to answers the "So What?" question of why the writer's research matters and what they have added to the conversation, but may not be persuasive. Lacks implications for the project, and may not give details on how it affects the real world and what is at stake. Relies on summary of previous ideas.
0 points
Primarily uses summary or sources and does not demonstrate an argument about the full topic. Does not describe a Next Step for the issue. Does not attempt to give a solution (next step), or solution may lack any logical connection to the overall project. Does not attempt to answer the "So What?" question of why the writer's research matters and what they have added to the conversation. Lacks implications for the project, and may not give details on how it affects the real world and what is at stake. Or, the conclusion is significantly incomplete.
/ 10
Thesis
5 points
Thesis is about the full topic (social issue IN pop culture form) and not just one part. Is complex, clear, and argumentative (does not state a fact, but instead makes a claim). Guides the order of the project and does not change from beginning to end. Does not restate what others have found, but makes a definite attempt to add the writer's own voice to the conversation on the topic.
4 points
Thesis is about the full topic (social issue IN pop culture form) and not just one part. Is complex and argumentative (does not state a fact, but instead makes a claim), but may lack some clarity about the writer's meaning. Guides the order of the project and does not change from beginning to end. Does not restate what others have found, but makes a definite attempt to add the writer's own voice to the conversation on the topic, although this may be less persuasive.
3 points
Thesis is about the full topic (social issue IN pop culture form) and not just one part. Attempts to be argumentative, but may rely on statement of fact. Guides the order of the project and does not change from beginning to end. Attempts to not restate what others have found, but may repeat some point that is already well-known within the conversation on the topic.
0 points
Thesis is not about the full topic (social issue IN pop culture form) and only addresses one part. Is primarily a statement of fact and does not make a clear argument. Changes from beginning to end and does not guide the order of the project. Mainly restates what others have found, and does not make a true contribution to the conversation on the topic. Or, thesis is missing completely and cannot be identified.
/ 5
Style (sentence structure, diction, transitions, coherence, unity)
5 points
Sentence structure is complex, clear, and elegant, with sentences that flow well together. Word choice (diction) is correct throughout the project. Transitions are clear and logical. All parts of the project work together, so that the project reads as a unified argument and does not jump from topic to topic.
4 points
Sentence structure is clear and effective. Word choice (diction) is correct throughout most of the project. Transitions are logical, and most parts of the project work together, so that the project reads as a unified argument and does not jump from topic to topic.
3 points
Sentence structure is sometimes wordy or unclear. Word choice (diction) is appropriate but may have 1 or 2 errors. Most transitions are logical, and an attempt at a unified argument is made, although there may be a jump from one part to the next that inhibits coherence and unity.
0 points
Sentence structure is difficult to understand and hurts the project's coherence. Word choice (diction) is often confusing or unclear. Transitions lack logically use. The parts of the project seem separate and not unified, jumping from topic to topic with little coherence.
/ 5
Effective use of sources (includes right amount, incorporates quotes and images, uses reliable academic sources, etc).
5 points
A minimum of 5 academic sources and 4 media sources are included. Quotes are effectively incorporated into the text from each print source (no block quotes; no "dropped in" quotes). Images are embedded. Use of sources supports writer's voice and does not overshadow it.
4 points
A minimum of 5 academic sources and 4 media sources are included. Quotes are incorporated into the text from each print source (no block quotes; no "dropped in" quotes), but they may be less effective. Images are embedded. Use of sources supports writer's voice and does not overshadow it.
3 points
A minimum of 5 academic sources and 4 media sources are included. Quotes are incorporated into the text from each print source (no block quotes), but they may lack context and appear "dropped in." Images are embedded. Use of sources attempts to support writer's voice, but may sometimes overshadow it.
0 points
Lacks the required number of sources. Or, quotes are incorporated into the text from each print source, but may use block quotes or drop-in quotes with no context. Images are not embedded in correct locations. Overall, use of sources overshadows writer's voice.
/ 5
Use of rhetorical appeals (personal trustworthiness, use of logical organization and persuasive tone)
5 points
Uses reliable and appropriate sources. Presents both sides of research so bias is absent or minimal. Organizes project logically, and all research and images logically relate to thesis. Uses engaging tone that persuades readers effectively.
4 points
Uses reliable and appropriate sources. Presents both sides of research, but some bias may appear. Organizes project logically, and most research and images logically relate to thesis. Uses appropriate tone that persuades readers, although it may lack some effectiveness.
3 points
Uses reliable sources, but may also use some sources that are less appropriate for research. Attempts to present both sides of research, but appears somewhat biased. Project lacks some logical organization, or some research and images do not logically relate to thesis. Attempts to persuade readers, but tone is not effective overall.
0 points
Uses unreliable sources that are not appropriate for research. Does not attempt to show both sides of research, making the project biased. Project lacks logical organization. Most research and images do not logically relate to thesis. Lacks a persuasive and effective tone.
/ 5
Grammar (spelling, commas, run-ons, etc.)
5 points
Overall excellent grammar with 0-1 errors.
4 points
Overall acceptable grammar with 2-3 errors.
3 points
Overall developing grammar with 3-5 errors.
0 points
Overall grammar inhibits the flow of the essay, with more than 5 errors.
/ 5
Format (MLA, subheadings, Works Cited, word count)
5 points
MLA formatting is correct. Meets minimum word count. Includes perfect Works Cited page with all required sources.
4 points
Formatting is correct. Meets minimum word count. Includes Works Cited page with all required sources, with 1-2 errors.
3 points
Formatting may be incorrect, but still meets minimum word count. Includes Works Cited page with all required sources, with 3-4 errors.
0 points
Formatting is not correct, and does not meet minimum word count. Does not include Works Cited page, or is missing so many sources or has so many errors that it is incomplete.

Proposal Peer Review

Follow the directions on the discussion board by selecting the paper BELOW your own. Make sure you sort your threads so that the Oldest Thread is showing first.

Answer the following questions for the paper you are reviewing. You can cut and paste your answers into a reply box, or you can save this document to your computer, fill in your answers, and then save it again. Then, upload the file as an attachment to your Reply Post.

PAPERS SHOULD BE POSTED BY SATURDAY AT 11:59 P.M. YOUR REVIEW OF YOUR CLASSMATE’S PAPER SHOULD BE COMPLETED NO LATER THAN MONDAY AT 11:59 P.M.

1. What is the writer’s full topic (social issue + pop culture form). Write it out. If you can’t identify it, or if the writer is missing part of the topic, please indicate this.

1. Look at the writer’s introduction.

1. Did they provide personal, professional, or both types of reasons for why this topic was chosen?

1. What is the most interesting reason the writer gave for doing this research? If you did not find the introduction interesting, please (kindly!) suggest that the writer add more reasons for why they chose the topic.

1. Who is the audience for the writer’s research? If they did not indicate an audience, please tell them do to so. If the audience is not specific, please suggest how the writer could make the audience clearer.

1. Look at the essay’s body. Has the writer addressed all required parts (history, current trends, artifact rationale)? If not, tell them what is missing.

1. Look at the history section.

1. How far back into the past will the writer look? Do you think the length of time that they indicated will be sufficient for examining their topic? Would you suggest that they look at a different time period? Give them any advice you have on how to improve the history portion.

1. Are they looking at the history of the full topic? The history should not just be for the social issue or the pop culture form independently. A history of the full topic is required (e.g., not “gender” alone; not “film” alone; but the history of “gender in film”). If the history section is not focused on the full topic, please indicate that to the writer.

1. What is one thing the writer expects to learn during research of the history section? Remember, there should be multiple expectations. If you cannot identify any, please indicate this to the writer.

1. Look at the current trends section.
   
   
   1. Name one specific example that the writer will look at. Remember, the writer should have multiple examples by name of current trends (names of films, tv shows, albums, artists, etc.).
   
   

1. Does the author indicate that current trends are the same or different from what happened historically (pick one)? If they did not indicate either, please tell them to do so.

1. What is one thing the writer expects to learn during research of the current trends? If you cannot identify any, please indicate this to the writer.

1. Look at the artifact rationale section.
   
   
   1. What type of artifact will the writer create for the final project? Remember, they should not say, “I don’t know” or “I’m not sure yet.” If they did not indicate an artifact, tell them they need to do so before turning in the proposal for a grade.
   
   

1. Why did the writer choose this type of artifact over any other type? Name one reason they gave.

1. How will the artifact connect to the writer’s overall research? What will it do for audiences? If the writer did not indicate this, please say so.
   
   


2. Consider the essay’s conclusion.
   
   
   1. Name one specific thing the writer expects to learn from their project. If they did not include any expectations for research, please indicate this.
   
   

1. What will the writer contribute to the conversation on this topic? (i.e. why does their research matter to an audience?)
   
   


2. Does the writer indicate what the next step for the topic should be? If not, please indicate that they need to include this.

1. What is the writer’s working thesis? Write it out. If you can’t identify one, please indicate that.
   
   


2. Consider the essay overall.
   
   
   1. Do they need MORE or LESS, or is the paper just the right length? The essay should be approximately 500-600 words.
   
   

1. Did the writer include three sources in MLA format? If not, please indicate that they need to do so (the sources can be from the Week 7 dropbox submission, unless they changed their topic since then).

1. Has the writer demonstrated personal ethos (trustworthy writer), pathos (tone), and logos (logical examples and organization)? If not, indicate how to improve.

10.  What does the writer do really well in this essay?

11.  What if the most important thing you think the writer should work on for revision? (Please do not focus on grammar unless the essay is nearly perfect).

As a reviewer, please be clear in your feedback and use a kind tone when giving criticism. Remember that your role is to provide helpful comments that will lead to revision for the writer. Consider your own ethos, pathos, and logos as you respond. Thanks!