employ outside sources

Light/English 200

English 200 Final Research Project

We have spent the first half of the semester learning how to make an argument, how to use textual evidence, and how to employ outside sources. All of these tools will be useful as you research and write your final research paper. This project has four parts: the proposal, the annotated bibliography, the paper, and the presentation.

For your final research paper, you will imitate the process of responding to a CFP (Call for Papers) relating to your research interest within the field of gender in American pop culture. While I know that many of you have never heard of a CFP (I hadn’t until graduate school), they are often inviting discussion about new, relevant, and/or controversial topics in a given field. Here are some CFPs I found related to gender and pop culture:

https://call-for-papers.sas.upenn.edu/node/64572

https://call-for-papers.sas.upenn.edu/node/40776

https://call-for-papers.sas.upenn.edu/node/59124

https://call-for-papers.sas.upenn.edu/node/64513

Feel free to search for CFPs on your own as well.

A CFP is only the beginning; it typically only gives you a general topic. You must decide how you want to respond the CFP. Based on the topics listed on the CFP and the brainstorming we do in class, you should come up with a specific topic to investigate and research. Once you’ve begun researching, you will then develop a position (argument) within that topic. You should be able to support that position with textual evidence from credible sources.

As you write your proposal and essay, you must keep in mind who your audience is—undergraduate and graduate students, as well as professionals in the field. To be considered credible, you will have to present a well-researched argument; therefore, you should have no less than seven sources. At least 5 of these sources should be scholarly (NOT popular). You should also remain aware of your style and diction.

If you find any part of the research process difficult or confusing, you can stop by office hours, schedule a meeting with me, or contact me via email.

Format : Important Dates:

6-8 pages March 23: Library Day

12” Times New Roman April 8: Proposals Due

Double-spaced April 15: Annotated Bibliographies Due

1” Margins April 25: Research Papers Due

Proper MLA Documentation April 25, 27, 29: Presentations