Instructions for Research Essay

By now, you should have significantly educated yourself on your assigned topic.  Your task, now, is to collaborate with your group members to identify a topic and research question that draws on the expertise of all in the group. 

For example, a group whose members have researched wind energy, fracking, and food safety might seek to compare the pollutant levels in vegetable crops in areas where various types of energy exploration occurs.  Be creative in imagining ways in which your group members' topics intersect.

As you develop your research question, be sure it meets the criteria outlined in section R1-a of the handbook.  Is your question worth exploring?  Is it narrow, challenging, and grounded?  Does your question matter, and why does it pass the "So what?" test?

You will have time on Wednesday the 27th to discuss your topic with your group members and receive feedback from me.  By the end of class, you should have a solid research question in mind and be ready to begin looking for quality sources to be used to begin answering it.

Your group will write a 1500-2000 word research essay, which will most likely be due on March 20.

After break, we will have classes on the following topics:

• Integrating sources
• Collaborative writing
• Documenting sources

I will be available after break to meet with groups individually.  Please contact me with whatever questions you have.