English 101: Research Writing: ≥Race and Education in Hollywood Film≤

SCSU English Department, Fall 2003

Profs. Pritchard & Dudley

PAPER TOPIC #2

• Topic Idea Due in-class, Tue/Thurs, October 14/16 (Wk 7)
• Two Sources and Brainstorming Due in-class, Tuesday, Oct 21 (Wk 8)
• Outline Due in-class, Thursday, Oct 23 (Wk 8)
• First Draft Due in-class, Tuesday, Oct 28 (Wk 9)-WORKSHOP
• Final Draft Due in-class, Tuesday, Nov 4 (Wk 10)

The purpose of this paper is to get you started on the work you will need to do for your final research paper. At this point, you have done a lot of reading and thinking on the relationship between race and education. You will have the opportunity to brainstorm on and discuss potential topics in class. For this paper, choose one of the following topics:

• Attrition (drop out rates)
• Testing
• SAT
• Affirmative Action
• Bilingual Education
• Whiteness / White Privilege
• Public Education in Connecticut
• A film on education and race (ie ≥Lean on Me≤ or ≥Stand by Me≤ or ≥187≤ or ≥Dangerous Minds≤ or ä..)
• Another idea of your own choosing**

**Speak with me separately about a different topic of your choosing (that is okπd by me).

And:

1. Begin to gather research on this topic. Pay close attention during our library tour ≠ the information you learn then will be invaluable to you later.

2. Your research must present various perspectives, in your final paper, but for this one, you need only begin research, and find at least FIVE sources, and use those to write your paper.

3. You need to have a thesis, and use the research that you choose, at this point, to help you prove your thesis. You may, later, find that you change your mind (ie when you are working on your final paper), and you may now feel that you are not sure what your opinion is. Nevertheless, you must choose a position, argue it and defend it in this paper.

• This paper needs to be 4 pages (and, 3 1/2 pages do not count as 4, just so we are clear on that).
• You should have your paperπs title (something more creative than Paper #2, please), an abstract (like for the first paper), and your name on a cover page.
• And, the paper needs to be in Times, Times New Roman, or Bookman Old Style, 12-font, double-spaced, with 1-inch (or 1.25-inch) margins all around.
• The paper must also be stapled when you turn it in.

In your intro paragraph, introduce the topic / issue / or event that you will be focusing on. Clearly articulate your thesis in your introductory paragraph. What are you proving? How do you plan to prove it?

Use the evidence that you have gathered as the backbones for the points you make in this essay. It would be a good idea to create an outline first. Choose quotes (remember to cite them correctly!!) to back up your points. Be sure to also explain the quotes in your own words and to offer opinion on / critique of those points.

Your conclusion should bring your argument to a close.

For the rough draft, you need to bring to class a complete, 4-page, typed draft. You will lose points if it is shorter than that. The draft will be worth 10 points of your final grade. AND, participation in the WORKSHOP will be worth 10 points of your final grade. If you do not make it to class that day, you lose those points (unless you have a really really really good reason). But, you can think of it as 20 easy points toward the final essay grade!

Please feel free to come to my office hours if you think you would like to talk about this assignment in any way. That is what my office hours are there for!

REMINDER:

Profs. DÈmian Pritchard & John Dudley

Engleman D244	Office	Engleman D244
Tu/W 4-6 pm & Th 8-9 pm	Office hours	Tu/Th 3:15-4:15
pritchard@southernct.edu	Email	dudleyj1@southernct.edu
392-5112	Phone	481-9677