20801202English 2
Course Information
Description
This course is a continuation of English 1. Students use advanced research skills to write essays that are informative and persuasive in nature and based on topics from the social sciences and humanities. Students conduct research using secondary library resources but also focus on using qualitative methods to conduct primary research, including observation and interviews. MLA format and one other format (APA or Chicago) will be taught. Students will prepare 25-35 pages of polished writing.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
  1. Conduct research from written sources, both primary and secondary
    Assessment Strategies
    Incorporating primary and secondary source material into written assignments throughout the semester
    Criteria
    use library resources to locate primary and secondary sources
    compile information from several primary and/or secondary sources that will act as evidence for the main points of a research essay
    evaluate secondary sources for reliability, credibility, objectivity, and effectiveness of the evidence
    process source material by using a note taking method
    integrate information into a research essay from several sources
    incorporate source material correctly into the text
    document source material correctly by using MLA as well as either the APA or Chicago style

  2. Evaluate source material
    Assessment Strategies
    completing a critique of primary and a secondary sources
    Criteria
    analyze a text to determine its credibility
    analyze a text to determine its objectivity
    analyze a text to determine its reliability
    analyze a text to determine the effectiveness and completeness of the evidence

  3. Process source material
    Assessment Strategies
    completing a note taking process for expository and persuasive essays
    Criteria
    summarize information and arguments from sources
    directly quote short passages or information for supporting testimony
    mark the direct quotes with quotation marks
    take down the bibliographic information for your summaries and quotes
    engage in exploratory writing about sources by jotting notes on how sources agree or disagree, speculating about why you might disagree with a text and whether you can refute the arguments, and jotting down any new ideas about your topic

  4. Incorporate source material into a document
    Assessment Strategies
    effectively incorporating source material into the essays written in the course
    Criteria
    use summaries of source information as support for your points
    use paraphrasing to translate short passages from source material
    use attributive tags to smoothly incorporate quotes into the text
    insert quotations correctly into text when the quote is a complete sentence
    insert quotes correctly into text when the quote is not a complete sentence
    modify quotations to fit into the text grammatically
    use paraphrases and quotes sparingly

  5. Document source material
    Assessment Strategies
    documenting the expository and persuasive essays
    preparing an annotated bibliography
    Criteria
    use attributive tags to separate source information from your ideas
    use the MLA as well as either the APA or the Chicago style format correctly

  6. Write an expository research-driven essay
    Assessment Strategies
    completing a 10-15 page expository essay based on a topic from the academic disciplines (social sciences, literature and the humanities, or science and mathematics)
    using the research process to complete the essay
    Criteria
    formulate a research question or hypothesis based on a topic from the academic disciplines
    locate primary and secondary source material based on your research question
    evaluate your source material based on credibility, objectivity, reliability, and effectiveness and completeness of evidence
    take informative and exploratory notes on your source material
    use the notes instead of the actual sources from which to write the paper
    write a thesis statement that forecasts the answers to your research question or the outcome of your hypothesis
    use source material to support you thesis
    integrate written source material correctly into the text
    move beyond merely reporting on a topic but rather critically engage with source material within the essay through analysis and synthesis
    use the conventions of academic writing within the essay: topic sentences, coherence, unity, introduction and conclusion
    choose an organizational pattern that will present your research ideas in the most logical and clear way
    document source material correctly using either the MLA, APA, or Chicago style format

  7. Write a research-driven rhetorical argument
    Assessment Strategies
    completing a 10-15 page rhetorical argument based on a topic from the academic disciplines (social science, literature and the humanities, or science and mathematics)
    using the research process to complete the essay
    Criteria
    formulate a research question or hypothesis
    locate primary and secondary source material based on your research question
    evaluate your source material based on credibility, objectivity, reliability, and effectiveness and completeness of evidence
    take informative and exploratory notes on your source material
    use the notes instead of the actual sources from which to write the paper
    write a thesis statement that forecasts the controlling idea behind your research question and states the position you take on your argument
    source material to support your thesis
    use Toulmin Analysis to develop an argument
    integrate source material correctly into the text
    move beyond merely reporting on a topic by rather critically engage with the source material within the essay through analysis and synthesis
    use the conventions of academic writing within the essay: topic sentences, coherence, unity, introduction and conclusion
    accommodate and/or refute counter arguments
    appeal to your audience through logic, ethics, and emotion
    choose an organizational pattern that will present your argument in the most logical and clear way
    document source material correctly using either the MLA, APA, or Chicago style format

  8. Give an oral presentation
    Assessment Strategies
    giving one five minute oral presentation during the semester by giving a speech, presenting a paper, participating in a debate, etc.
    Criteria
    move beyond merely reporting on a topic but rather engage critically with the topic through analysis and synthesis
    present your own interpretation of a topic or an argument
    present the information in a logical, organized way
    provide sufficient evidence to support your points