the big space – 30%
For this final paper, you get to choose the type of argument you’d like to write. You may either write an evaluation argument or a Rogerian argument about a space.
The big space paper (7-10 pages) is research heavy and asks you to not only apply your argumentative skills and abilities, but also to hone and develop your research skills. This assignment is challenging in that it asks you to find a topic/issue/problem with regards to space you are passionate about or interested in, research the arguments surrounding the topic/issue/problem about the space, and discover a way to join and/or contribute to the conversation and arguments surrounding your topic/issue/problem about the space.
The assignment sheet for the big space is a looooooong document, and it lays out all the parts of your research paper. Make sure you read this document carefully!
what you will get out of the task
- An upping of your knowledge on how to do research and construct a well-informed argument.
- An upping of your analytical skills.
- An understanding of how to synthesize and organize information in effective ways.
position arguments (traditional) - spatial knowledge (i know it’s kinda odd to think about but it’s important.)
Over the course of the semester, we have read a number of evaluation arguments. These arguments ask writers to argue for specific criteria and then judge something (e.g. a text )to be good, gooder, gooderer or bad, badder, badderer. In other words, the goal of writing an evaluation is to convince readers to agree with your judgment and that your judgment is sound/valid/reasonable. This choice is more like a traditional argument.
Though this is a really simple way to frame the argument into an either/or position and I’d like you to make your argument a little more complicated, you can think of an evaluative argument like this:
A space is good because it meets….criteria 1, criteria 2, and criteria 3.
A space is bad because it meets…criteria 1, criteria 2, and criteria 3.
It’s a good idea to think about evaluation arguments as though you are evaluating what a text teaches. You know, what does the text teach you about the world, about values, or about signs and rhetoric.
You might think about McDaniel’s architecture and use of space and evaluate whether or not this is a good argument for a college to make. You might ask, “What is this architecture teaching audiences about what college means?” and “Is this teaching successful?” teaches you that college means prestige through it’s use of architecture and space. This use of space can be evaluated as reaching some audiences and not reaching others. You might even write about how a different use of space or architecture could help reach audiences betterer.
Here’s another example of evaluating a text.
The Dark Knight was considered by many critics to be a film worthy of an academy award nomination because of its tremendous acting and complicated treatment of a superhero. Movie critic Roger Fleabert even writes, “Besides tremendous performances, this film complicated the superhero genre exposing a hero’s weaknesses.” And while this is true, most critics overlook its complicated visualization of urban areas and the way it capitalized on urban phobias of space. The Dark Knight is a text whose treatment of space subtly argues for complete privacy – for the complete control of public areas. It argues that the invasion of privacy is what makes a superhero and that sharing space with others is dangerous.
Rogerian argument
A Rogerian argument is an argument much different from what we normally consider argument where there is a “winner” and “loser.” In other words, rather than “using rebuttal to show how the opposition is wrong and state why the audience should reject that position,” (Wood 201) as in traditional argument, Rogerian argument requires the “arguer to spend at least some time at the beginning of the argument not only explaining how the opposition’s position is right but also identifying situations where it might be valid (Wood 201). In more words, a Rogerian argument asks writers find a problem and then solve that problem through consensus or through establishing common ground. Instead of trying to “win” or “defeat” an opponent, a writer of a Rogerian argument is trying to find a solution to a problem that both sides can agree to. For this choice you can write and evaluation argument using this model or a position argument using this mode. Here’s an example of a
Rogerian model of argument outline:
Introduction
The writer introduces the issue and shows that the opponent’s position is understood by restating it
Context and Validity of Opponent’s Position
The writer shows in which contexts and under what conditions the opponent’s position may be valid or reasonable. Note that the opponent is never made to feel completely wrong.
Writer’s Position/Thesis
The writer states his/her own position, including the contexts in which it is valid.
Complimentary Positions
The writer states how the opponent’s position would benefit if the opponent were to adopt elements of the writer’s position. An attempt is finally made to show that the two positions compliment each other and that each supplies what the other lacks.
Here’s a link to our reading on Rogerian Argument.
parts of the research paper
Your research-paper has a number of components.
You will write a proposal, create an annotated bibliography, and write your research-paper.
proposal – 5%
For this part of the research process, you are going to write a proposal for your research. For this class, a proposal “is like an outline of the entire research process that gives a reader a summary of the information that will be discussed in a project” (“Research proposal”). Think of this as a modified version of your lesson plan. You are going to write a proposal that is between 400-900 words that includes the following informaton. Your proposal should be composed using a similar layout with headings. I expect this to be written in formal language and be free from spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes.
You need to be concise.
Title (have a title for your research proposal)
Research focus
In this section, you will describe your topic/issue/problem, explain the main question you are asking about the topic/issue/problem, and explain why your topic/issue/problem is important or worth studying (100-200 words)
Previous research
In this section, describe what you have found out. Describe what’s being said on your topic/issue/problem. Describe in more detail where your piece fits in and contributes to the conversation. You know, what hasn’t been said yet that you are going to say (mention at least two different positions or views and use two sources) (100-200 words).
Argument style
Explain the style of argument you are going to be using (evaluation-traditional or Rogerian-or will you write more of a Rogerian position argument) and why you think it is a good strategy to use for your topic/issue/problem (100-200 words).
Research plan
For this part, you will explain a little about your research method. You will list three journals you will use and describe why you’ll use them. Then you will include a calendar that lists dates and times for you to research, complete each annotated bibliography entry, and write your paper. Include at least four hours devoted to writing your paper separated up (100-200 words).
Works Cited
Your proposal rubric.
annotated bibliography – 5%
For this, part of the assignment, you will practice your researching and writing skills by creating an annotated bibliography of four sources. These sources should be related to your research-paper topic.
Two sources can come from previous readings on space. They don’t have to come from previous readings.
Two of your sources have to be from new research you find. Peer-reviewed journals from hoover library and/or from the magazines work: NY Times, The Atlantic, Harlot: A Revealing Look at the Arts of Persuasion, The New Yorker, Slate, Wired, Sports Illustrated, Mother Jones, ESPN, NPR, PBS, and Ted Talks.
Your topic and the sources you choose may change as you create this bibliography. And that’s okay. You don’t have to use all of the sources you find for your annotated bibliography. Writing and research is a process that’s fluid. The most important thing is that you continue researching and adding to this bibliography. By the end it will be a sort of map regarding where your research led you.
Your annotations should look like like the example below. Please imitate the areas in bold and the indentations.
Example bibliography entry:
Drews, Marie. The Last Food on Earth: A Study in Cuisine, Politics, and Death. New York: Prentice Hall, 2007.
Summary (100-200 words):
This is where you write your summary. Remember a summary is not a paraphrase. It is more general than that. A summary is not opinion either. If there are any opinions, it is the author’s that you want. A summary is a brief and objective account of the author’s main claim and supporting points. It can utilize quotes but should not rely heavily on them. This is where you write your summary. Use CASC. Use signal phrases to indicate this is the author rather than your ideas. Example: “As Drews argues…” “As the author points out…”
Statement of Use (100-150 words):
This is where you write your statement of use. In this portion, describe why this work is important for your research. How will you use this? What does it add? Does it support what you are researching? Is it another view? Is it a background or history of the issue or problem you are researching?
Format and expectations
1. I expect you to follow the format shown above.
2. I expect you to use MLA citation.
3. I expect your annotated bibliography to be free of grammar, punctuation, and spelling mistakes.
4. Your bibliography should be written using a formal tone.
evaluation.
5. Your bibliography should be in alphabetical order.
Your annotated bibliography rubric–in process of fixing this!
research paper – 20%
Paper draft= 100 homework points!
For your paper, you get to select the topic (as long as it is related to space and place) and the style of argument. If this seems a little confusing or overwhelming, don’t worry! We’ll have readings that will help you understand more clearly what you’ll be doing. We’ll have conferences too! But in the meantime here is an explanation of what I am expecting for your research paper draft and the research paper:
Draft of Final Paper Format and Expectations
1 – 750-1500 words (3-4 pages) complete in MLA format.
2 – Include an outline for the rest of the paper. So what you don’t get finished have an outline like this (Heading and then 1-2 sentence explanation):
- Section on TOPIC – Here I will rebut my earlier arguments and show how blah and blah.
- Section on TOPIC – Here I will show how my argument and the rebuttal can actually work together.
- Repeat the above and include conclusion!
3 – Your argument must use formal language! Instead of “totally awesome” try “important” or “successful.”
4 – Use Three sources using direct quotation and paraphrase. Sources can be from peer reviewed journals. You may also use articles from the NY Times, The Atlantic, Harlot: A revealing look at the arts of persuasion, Slate, Wired, Sports Illustrated, Mother Jones, ESPN, NPR, PBS, and Ted Talks (don’t count as peer reviewed sources). If there is another magazine you’d like to use, check with me for approval.
5 – Your argument must use MLA format for in-text and end-text (works cited) citations.(see Purdue Owl for help or Essentials of Argument). Have your works cited so far!
6 – Your argument must be free of grammar, punctuation, and spelling mistakes.
FINAL PAPER Format and Expectations
1 – Your argument must be between 1750-2500 words (7-10 pages)- works cited not included.
2 – Your argument must use formal language! Instead of “totally awesome” try “important” or “successful.”
3 – Your argument must incoporate at least Seven total sources using direct quotation and paraphrase. Two sources should be from peer reviewed journals. You may also use articles from the NY Times, The Atlantic, Harlot: A revealing look at the arts of persuasion, Slate, Wired, Sports Illustrated, Mother Jones, ESPN, NPR, PBS, and Ted Talks (don’t count as peer reviewed sources). If there is another magazine you’d like to use, check with me for approval.
4 – Your argument must use MLA format for in-text and end-text (works cited) citations.(see Purdue Owl for help or Essentials of Argument).
5 – Your argument must be free of grammar, punctuation, and spelling mistakes.
evaluation
Your research paper rubric.