Term Paper

Gender and Contemporary Society

Term Paper

Description: Drawing on the reading and research you have done for your Resource Reports and on at least one additional journal article you find for this assignment, you will write a term paper on your group topic. The essay should be an argument, that is, it should review information contained in the other resources and should come to a conclusion (your thesis). (Here are some tips about how to construct your argument and incorporate outside sources into your writing.) If you have any questions about what constitutes an argument, talk with the class TA, the preceptor, or a consultant at the Women's Studies Writing Center.

Your report should be 1000-1500 words (4-6 pages, typed, double-spaced). You will turn in a first version on paper, which will be workshopped in class, and on which you will receive comments for revision.

Your paper must make use of at least three outside sources (more if you wish):

one from the class textbook, online readings, or video shown in class
a scholarly journal article you find specifically for this assignment
EITHER the resource on which you reported for Resource Report 2 OR another resource of your choice.

You may also use personal experience as an additional resource if you subject it to the same kinds of evaluative criteria you bring to other resources. To cite your sources, use a parenthetical documentation form, such as MLA style, with a list of Works Cited or References at the end. DO NOT USE FOOTNOTES. Refer to the Online Citation Guide if you have any questions about how to cite your source correctly.

Purpose: The Term Paper will continue to develop the research and internet skills you have needed for the two Resource Reports and will ask you to hone your critical thinking, reading, and writing skills. You will also have the opportunity to continue to explore the topic of your second Resource Report and to begin to develop expertise on one field of gender studies.

Method: Review your resource reports and our class readings and decide on a focus for your term paper within the larger topic your group has been assigned. Consult other members of your learning group to find out if the resources on whichthey reported might be appropriate to your paper.

Now begin your library research. Find a scholarly journal article (not a popular magazine article) that helps you understand your topic. Consult Ruth Dickstein's research tips on finding journal articles if you have any questions about this process. (Don't hesitate to go back to the Journal Exercise if you need to review that information.) You can also make an appointment with Ruth Dickstein, or consult with any librarian sitting at the Reference Desk, or meet with the class TA, with a grad preceptor, or with the consultants at the Women's Studies Writing Center at any point in the writing process .

When you have found three articles that interest you from the required three sources, reread them carefully and begin to construct a working thesis, the proposition that will guide your organization of the material. Your thesis will take a position, that is, you will make a claim about some aspect of your topic based on the research you have done. Draft a statement of that thesis, one that summarizes all the main points you hope to cover in your paper. Your full thesis statement may take a whole paragraph to state if your argument is complex. Here is an example of a thesis statement that would be the opening paragraph of an argumentative essay:

Many students come to college unprepared to fulfill the kinds of writing assignments that are common to first-year classes. Some of them will never have written anything other than first-person narrative or five-paragraph essays defined as either "opinion" or "position" papers. When faced with assignments that call for more complex argumentation or for the incorporation of outside resources into an argument, many students will find themselves confused and feeling inadequate to the task. Such students will be able to do their best work only if they are provided with appropriate resources, including peer and faculty tutoring and step-by-step introduction to required writing tasks through graduated assignments. When students take advantage of these resources, they are able to earn higher grades than their peers and tend to remain in school at higher rates. Therefore, it is essential that faculty, librarians, and ancillary university staff work together to provide students with the tools they need to meet the challenges of college writing.

Succeeding paragraphs would provide illustration and documentation of the various statements of the paragraph (perhaps comparing high school with college assignments or comparing the GPAs and retention rates of students who have been provided with the assistance and programs described in the paragraph). The essay would describe a successful program to help students succeed at college writing tasks.

The first version of your Term Paper (that is, a complete version, not an incomplete or unfinished draft) is due Fri 25 Oct. Bring two copies of your first version to class that day for a writing workshop exercise. If you do not bring a first version to class that day, you will receive an E for 5% of your class grade. The final version of your term paper is due on Mon 25 Nov. NOTE NEW DUE DATE.

Evaluation: Your term papers will be graded on their fulfillment of the assignment requirements and on argumentation; organization; and usage and mechanics (including citation form). REPORTS THAT ARRIVE AT ALL LATE WILL BE PENALIZED SUBSTANTIALLY. The Term Paper is worth 20% of your grade (first version, 5%; final version 15%).