ENGLISH W233 The Basics

Intermediate College Writing English W233: Intermediate College Writing English W233 builds upon the skills which you developed in English W131, where you learned that the college essay is essentially argumentative (rather than informative) in nature. Whereas your final expository researched paper in English W131 was primarily rational in its argument, your final paper in English W233 will be supported both by rational argument and by the interpretation of primary research.

Very basically, English W233 is a semester-long research project Very basically, English W233 is a semester-long research project. You will be writing a formal academic essay—a sort of mini-thesis, if you will—in APA format.

APA Style is a format established by the American Psychological Association, and an essay in APA format is broken down into eight discrete parts: Cover Sheet Abstract Introduction Method Results Discussion References Tables A cover page in APA format. A succinct summary of the essay’s contents. A statement of relevance, a comparison of the literature, a description of what is lacking, and a general hypothesis. A detailed description of the primary research method(s) which will be adopted to examine the hypothesis. A detailed description of the results of the primary research. A discussion of the research findings in light of what was known, what is now known, its relevance, and whether or not the hypothesis has merit. A bibliography, annotated or otherwise. Tables and other illustrations to clarify the research.

You will work on one research project all semester long, writing your essay one part at a time, although not necessarily in the order listed. At the end of the semester you will blend all of your assignments into a unified whole.

Although the formal nature of the academic essay may strike you, initially, as tedious, the structure has been established by tradition and will prove invaluable to those of you who intend going on to graduate school, as it will prepare you for writing effective theses and dissertations.

Naturally, if you are going to spend an entire semester reading and thinking about a topic, it ought to be something about which you feel passionate. However, please avoid topics which are not capable of academic treatment, or which rely on irrational or non-rational systems of knowing.

I am not precluding papers about God or parapsychology by any means I am not precluding papers about God or parapsychology by any means. However, all topics will have to be approved by me, and it will be your responsibility, no matter what topic you choose, to establish the academic viability of your proposed research.

PowerPoint Presentation by Mark A. Spalding, BA, MEd, MA (2009). It is not often that you have the luxury of spending an entire semester working on a single research project. Take advantage of the opportunity, and enjoy the experience. Good luck. PowerPoint Presentation by Mark A. Spalding, BA, MEd, MA (2009).