Research Assignment

ENGL 5361

Topic Selection
• All I need for the topic selection assignment is a brief
paragraph describing your topic/area of research interest.
I'd like to know if you've investigated it yet, found any
sources, or not. I'd like to know why you are choosing the
topic and if you plan to work in a group.
• As research is a generative process, I understand that your topic may shift and you
may decide later to work with others.
• Remember, your research focus must somehow address the teaching of
developmental writing or the teaching of writing to students classified as
"developmental."

Research Topics
• grammar • program models
• acquisition of academic discourse • assessing student writing
• treatment of error • BW identity
• use of technology • public policy & BW
• Gen 1.5/Multilingual Learners • Literacy as social practice
• race/class • literacy narratives & personal
• response to student writing writing
• program models • Contact zone theories (Pratt) and
• assessing student writing acad. discourse

What is an Annotated Bib?

• MLA or APA citations of your sources
• One paragraph (200-300 words) for each that identifies the source's authority (who
is the author, why should we listen?), provides main points relevant to your topic,
and evaluates the usefulness of the source. You might cite a key quote if you wish.
• As this is a working document, I would not expect that you would have every source
you plan to use for the final project; however, I'd expect that you have 8-10 sources,
minimum.
• I expect that as scholars of basic writing, you will use appropriate sources. This
means peer-reviewed articles/books/etc. (not book reviews or abstracts), theory
from recognized scholars/teachers in the field, and/or websites that represent work
of experts. (If you have a doubt, ask me). You can also use interviews and/or other
forms of research, but may have a hard time carrying this off in the time we have
allowed.
• You are welcome to use sources from our class; however, these do not "count"
toward your minimum total. Part of this project is being a scholar and doing your
own research.

Conference Essay
A conference essay is an essay that you could present at a conference. These essays are
typically short, about 8 pages in length, and they respond to a specific call. However, you
can write a short essay on any of the topics we’ve discussed in class (or those listed above).
A conference essay, however, have a narrow focus.

Pecha Kucha Presentation

(see attached handout)