Target Competencies
Analyze college-level texts to distinguish motivation, structure, and cohesiveness of argument.
Demonstrate the ability to locate, select, and organize material from a variety of electronic and hard copy sources.
Write organized, unified and coherent texts using correct grammar, mechanics, diction, and a standard documentation style.
Create informative and persuasive texts in which the main points are supported by appropriate evidence.
Assignment Description
Information management is one of the most important transferable skills todevelop.Whether for school, work, or for personal interest, it is necessary to be able to locate, evaluate, and use information effectively.
For this 1300-1500word essay, youcan select from one of the topicsbelowor select your own, and investigate it using a variety of electronic and hard copy resources. You should develop a research plan, select materials based on topical relevance, document all sources using standardAPA format(this includes in-text citations). Your work should reflect an in-depth analysis of the area you have chosen.
Assignment Topics
ChooseONEof the following topics:
Artificial Intelligence
Machine Learning
Robotics (in various fields)
Women in STEM
3D Printing (world hunger, medical procedures…)
Women in Construction
Alternative Homes (Prefabricated, Shipping Containers, Off-the grid, tiny homes…)
Workplace Safety of Construction Workers
Revitalization ofneighbourhoods
A theme from one of the class readings (must be approved by professor)
A topic of your choice thatMUSTbe approved by me. This request must be made and accepted by email.
Assignment Directions
Select a topic.A list of possible topics is provided. Requests for an alternative topicmust bemade by email.Theessay will not be accepted if the topic was not pre-approved. All topic requests must be made by email and will be approved or denied by email.Selecta topic that interestsyou.Focus on a limited aspect, e.g. narrow it down from "Artificial Intelligence" to "Robots" to "Service Robots". If you are uncertain about the assignment expectations, re-read your assignment sheet carefully or askfor clarification.
Decide whether you want to write a persuasive or informative research paper.Informative means you are taking a neutral position (presenting both the positives and negatives of your topic). In a persuasive research paper, you take a particular position (either for or against).Critically examine your topic;write your thesis statement in oneconcisesentence. Your thesis statement isyour claim about your topic; it states what you will set out to prove.
Locate 5 credible sources.They must be current, relevant and appropriate information for your topic.You may not use such sources as Wikipedia, About.com, HowStuffWorks, or any other encyclopedia or general information website as one of your sources. Use discernment when selecting any online resources.You may use only ONE online source. At least two other resources must be from the George Brown Library databases, including one academic journal. You may use printed resources as well such as newspapers and magazines.Keep a logof material that you may use. Be sure to include the URL, permalink and other relevant information. For each source, write a small summary of what relevance it holds and include the APA format for that source. Index cards or a word document can help you organize your sources. If you think you may use it, log it.This practice will save you time re-searching information that wasn’t logged.
Make a point-form outlineusing the essay template provided. The essay outline is worth 5 marks.The purpose of an outline is toplan and organizeyour work prior to writing the first draft. A complete and well organized outline is the skeleton of your essay. This will keep you on track and focused.
INTRODUCTION–Begins with a hook to grab the reader’s attention. Provide some background information on your topicand provide a concisethesisstatement. State the main purpose of the essay. Explain how you will handle the topic. What rhetorical approach will you use? List the major areas that you will address.
BODY– These paragraphs present the support for the claim or thesis.Remember tonot over use sources. The reader wantsto hear your voice in the essay, not read sourced material.
CONCLUSION- Restate or reword your thesis. Summarize your arguments. Explain why you have come to this particular conclusion.Do not introduce any new material. A prediction, a solution or some thought provoking statement is a great way to leave the reader.
Organize your notes.According to the Essay Template, organize allthe researchedinformationthat you will use.What information will be used and where within your essaywill it be included?A Word document or index cards is aneasyway to move the information around.Your essay may require additional body paragraphs, please adjust the essay template accordingly.
Incorporate information from your research by summarizing,paraphrasingand quotingto support your main points. If you find that your research doesn’t support your main points, you will need to revise your thesis.Do not quote large sections with direct quotes.Your essay should have at least one summary, one paraphrase andno more than two direct quotes. The purpose of research is to find information to support what you have to say; it’s not to mainly provide otherpeople’s thoughts and ideas on your topic.In-texts MUST be included; otherwise, it is plagiarism and subject to a zero.
Participate in Peer Editing.The Peer editing is 5% and will be conducted in class onTuesday, March 17, 2020. Revise according to the feedback. Take the revised version to the Tutoring and Learning Centre foradditional feedback. If you visit the TLC and get feedback on your essay, you will get a 1% BONUS. Obtain proof from the TLC that you did use the service forthis assignment.
Complete drafts and final paper.All formal essays should be typed, double-spaced andsubmittedin Blackboard.Essays will be scanned through a plagiarism software, SafeAssign.
Onlinesample essays in APA format:
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/18/
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/945/1/