ENG 101 Research Essay: Project Directions

ENG 101 Research Essay Project

Project Objectives

Investigate a social issue presented in a text reading
Understand how research supports writing
Learn how to use library databases
Learn how to evaluate sources
Use MLA format for Works Cited
Integrate and cite sources in an essay (parenthetical citations)
Apply appropriate writing strategies

QCC Alden Library
Sources for research (arranged by themes)
Citing Sources Using Modern Language Association (MLA) Style
complied by QCC librarians--a 9-page PDF document

Sample Works Cited list
MLA 2009 Formatting and Style Guide-Purdue OWL
Documenting Sources: A Hacker Handbooks Supplement (50-page PDF file)

Assignment Due	Sections 12 & 16	Section 40 (evening)
Topic	Nov. 20	Nov. 23
Submit source summary	Nov. 23	Nov. 23
Annotated bibliography (Eight sources with annotations)	Dec. 2	Nov. 30
Research report	Dec. 9	Dec. 7

This project includes

An annotated bibliography (annotations are 40-80 word summaries explained in directions)
A 700-800 word essay (research report) narrating your research experience and summarizing what you have learned

Choosing Sources

Find sources that help you understand the ethics and opposing arguments about a social issue in the course readings.

Your eight sources must include:

MacDonald, Michael. All Souls: A Family Story from Southie. Beacon, 1999. Print.
1 or 2 relevant sources from the course readings (75 Readings text)
1 or 2 relevant sources from the ENG 101 Sources for Research list
additional reliable and relevant sources (for a total of 8) found through the EBSCO or Gale library databases
one database source must be "peer-reviewed" and identified as such in the annotation

Format

Use Calibri 12-point font, one-inch margins, and 1.5 for line spacing (under paragraph format). Use the required heading on the opening page and provide a descriptive title, centered under the heading, for the project. Use a header at the top right of each page with your name and the page number.

Questions to guide you in composing the essay

Why did you choose the topic? What did you want to learn?
What did you learn about the research process? (You may include any problems.)
What surprised you?
What were your most important findings?
Which sources were most valuable and why?
How do you now understand the ethics and opposing arguments for this issue?

Composing the Essay

In this essay cite at least four of the eight sources according to MLA documentation.
Integrate the quotations or paraphrased passages carefully in your writing.
Resubmit the annotated Works Cited list at the end of your essay.