The Researched Essay Assignment
During Phase Three, you will practice locating and evaluating sources, composing introductions and conclusions, synthesizing sources, crafting strong thesis statements, and integrating and citing sources. You will compose our third major writing assignment, the Researched Essay.
Note: you should have access to all readings and all assignments every class (in print or on your laptop/phone). This is because we’ll likely refer back to previous assignments/readings.
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Date
Homework Due BEFORE Class
In-Class Topics/Goals
Week 10 — Thursday, 3/21
- Complete revisions for your final “portfolio version” of your Phase 1 essay. Upload to your WordPress site.
- Phase 2 Reflections
- Introduce Phase 3 Assignment
- Basic Online Searches
Week 11 — Tuesday, 3/26
- Complete and submit to GC the “Researched Essay Brainstorms” worksheet.
- Be ready with your Citymail username and password log in information for the CCNY Library.
- MEET IN COMPUTER LAB
- Share brainstorms
- Finding Sources in the library
- Evaluating Sources (handout)
Week 11 — Thursday, 3/28
- Find 8 (good) sources and skim them.
- In a single document, write a proposal: one paragraph introducing your topic idea, list the 8 potential sources you’ll use, and write another paragraph brainstorming how these sources might help you to explore the topic. Submit to GC.
- Audience Analysis
- Writing Introductions
- Intro to Summary
- The Rhetorical Précis as a Summary Tool (handout)
- Outlining
Week 12 — Tuesday, 4/2
- Outline your researched essay. Submit this outline to GC.
- Decide on and read the 4-7 sources you’ll use for your essay. Have them accessible for class.
- Intro to Paraphrase
- Synthesis (handout)
- Synthesis practice (worksheet)
- Tone and language choices
Week 12 — Thursday, 4/4
- Write and submit to GC a rhetorical précis for 1 source.
- Write and submit to GC at least one page of synthesis (i.e., possible body paragraphs) using these sources. Print and bring to class 2 copies (or bring your laptop with the latest draft saved).
- Workshop synthesis
- Source Integration (handout)
- Thesis (handout)
- Analyze model text
Week 13 — Tuesday, 4/9
- Add another page of synthesis. In a paragraph below, explain how the two pages of synthesis you’ve written support your thesis. Submit to GC. Print and bring to class 2 copies (or bring your laptop with the latest draft saved).
- Thesis workshop
- Writing conclusions
- Workshop drafts
Week 13 — Thursday, 4/11
- Write and submit to GC a first full draft of the Researched Essay. Print and bring to class 2 copies (or bring your laptop with the latest draft saved).
- Workshop drafts for “higher order” concerns
- Citation Practices and Works Cited Pages
Week 14 — Tuesday, 4/16
- Review the instructor feedback you received for Phase 2.
- Complete revisions for your final “portfolio version” of your Phase 2 essay. Upload to your WordPress site.
- Make available your latest draft of Phase 3 (e.g., email it to yourself or upload it to your Google Drive).
- MEET IN COMPUTER LAB
- Workshop Portfolios
- Practice Self-Editing
- Sign up for conferences
Week 14 — Thursday, 4/18
- Revise and polish the final draft of your Researched Essay. Then, write and paste your cover letter at the beginning. Submit to both GC and Blackboard.
