We have an ambitious agenda set out for us today but I am sure we will all be motivated to reach our goal! The main focus will be to choose a topic that each of you agree on for your Guided Research Paper (GRP). This topic should present a problem, but also potential solutions to the problem. In addition, you will be reminded of what the assignments for the rest of the semester entail, since they will all revolve around the work we begin with today.
First of all, if you haven't done so already, please submit a topic for the GRP we will be working on as a class. Access the GRP Topic Form and provide at least 1 topic as soon as you get set. You may want to quickly revise the PowerPoint Presentation slides I sent you via email on how to choose a GRP topic.
Follow along this in-class presentation as we review the characteristics for a good research topic and conduct in-class work with peers. While divided in groups of 4, you should begin to analyze your topics by thinking of the following:
Checklist: Avoid topics that...
√ are too broad
√ only need one source
√ are too recent or local
√ are completely based on personal opinion
√ are not very "deep"
√ are "tired" topics
***Do choose a topic that interests a general audience***
You will return to the same Google Doc above (GRP Topic Form) to complete the rest of the activities for the day.
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Useful resources:
These resources may or may not be used today or in the following weeks, but I'd like to share them with you now in case you have questions while you are working outside of class on your IRP:
Concept Map Handout
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Homework:
1. Choose and justify an Individual Research Paper (IRP) topic using the same process we applied in class. Think of 2-3 possibilities for the IRP and rank them. I must approve your topic so do not proceed to do work on your topic until I say yes. Some interests may be the same; if more than one of you come up with the same topic, I will let the first person who proposed the topic keep it. Deadline: submit to my illinois.edu account on or before Monday, Feb. 18th at 12:59 p.m. (before class). Subject line should be: IRP Topic. Once you have received authorization, you should complete Step 1 of the Pre-Research Portfolio Template.
2. IRP Pre-Research Portfolio Template. This assignment is ongoing with a final due date of Monday, March 4th, 2013. Under Unit 2, you will find detailed information regarding this *major assignment* as well as under the Homework tab. But just so you get an idea, here is a brief description:
Your Pre-Research will be submitted in a "portfolio," or a collection, of 9 small elements into one online document. All elements of the portfolio will contribute to your progress in understanding and preparing for your research paper, and should prove to the instructor that you are ready to move forward in beginning the research for your IRP topic. There is no page limit for this assignment. You should save a copy of the template with your name, upload it as a Google Doc, and share with me. I will explain this soon in class.
Phewww! I think this has been one of the longest posts since the semester has started! Take a deep breath, believe in yourself, don't be afraid to ask me questions, do your work, and come to class! We'll get through this together. Happy Friday!
Thanks!
--Lisa
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