Final Project
Final Project
Purpose:
To formulate a thesis based upon close textual analysis.
To provide development and support for your ideas.
To effectively utilize outside sources as part of your argument.
To demonstrate your ability to structure a clear and effective essay.
Task: You have two options for completing the final project:
Option #1: Write a 5 – 7 page paper, plus Works Cited. MLA Format: double-spaced, 12-point Times font; 1-inch margins all the way around.
Option #2: Write a 4 – 5 page paper, plus works cited as part of a web project. MLA Format: double-spaced, 12-point Times font, 1-inch margins all the way around. This option is required for those who wish to receive LCI credit for the course.
Topics: You will produce your best writing if you can identify a topic that really interests you. With that in mind, I would like each of you to propose your own paper topic (see timeline below). If you are having trouble coming up with ideas, please email me or come see me! After the topic proposals are due, I will provide, upon request, a sampling of prompts for those who are dissatisfied with their own ideas.
If you would like to write about a text that is not on our syllabus, you may do so only if you’ve cleared it with me. Requests to write on alternate texts should be emailed to me no later than Friday, July 21st. I will respond via email.
Outside Sources: You should utilize a minimum of 2 – 3 outside sources to support your argument and add scholarly weight to your paper. The second wiki assignment is intended to help you in this area. However, the outside sources utilized need not be the same ones submitted as part of your annotated bibliography. Sources should be cited within the paper and listed in a Works Cited section according to MLA format
Web Project Additional Guidelines: The web project should be more than simply posting your paper online. You should use the medium of the Internet to help extend the concepts you’ve developed in your paper. Web projects should include multiple pages, multimedia components (pictures, music, etc.) and links, both internal and external.
I will offer an Introduction to Dreamweaver workshop (see the timeline below). This software is available for your use in the Transcriptions lab. Additionally, Macromedia offers a free, fully functional 30-day trial version of Dreamweaver. Available here: http://www.adobe.com/downloads/#webdesdev
Timeline & Due Dates
Friday, July 21: Alternate text requests due via email.
Monday, July 24: Topic Proposal
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Write a short paragraph (~250 words) outlining your proposed topic and the texts you intend to analyze.
Due in the class wiki by 11:59 p.m.
Don’t forget to add your category to the article!
Thursday, July 27: Two Dreamweaver Workshops
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2pm – 3pm and 5pm – 6pm in SH 2509
Bring your Umail i.d. and password
[Friday, July 28: Annotated Bibliography due; separate assignment]
Sunday, August 6th: Final Projects Due
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Post the papers and url to the web project in the class wiki by 11:59 p.m.
Don’t forget to add your category to the article!
Grading Breakdown – 35 points possible
Option #1:
Topic Proposal: 5 points
Paper: 30 points
Option #2
Topic Proposal: 5 points
Paper: 20 points
Web Component: 10 points
Grading Criteria:
Papers will be evaluated according to the originality of the thinking, effectiveness of the thesis, response to the assignment, quality of the support, effectiveness of the style and organizational strategy. Grammar and mechanics, including MLA formatting, will also be a minor part of the grading criteria. See the paper grading rubric .pdf file below for a full explanation of these criteria.
Web projects will be evaluated according to how well they extend the argument developed in the paper, as well as effectiveness of the style and organizational strategy. See the website grading rubric .pdf file below for a full explanation of these criteria.
Late projects will not be accepted.