The Final Paper

April 12, 2013

Opportunities to discuss course content

• Today 10-12

• Monday 10-2

• Tuesday- no office hours

CLEARLY STATED LEARNING OUTCOMES

Final Paper Learning Outcomes

• Identify the opposing positions held by these parties regarding how to solve the problem;

• Identify the issues associated with the controversy, the arguments made by stakeholders, and the plans each side is making to ensure their position is the one enacted;

• Evaluate the argumentation of each position, including an analysis of logic and evidence; and moral reasoning.

• Propose and defend a feasible solution based on critical analysis of your library and field research;

• Effectively communicate the problem, research, and proposed solutions, both in writing.

Submission 4 (Final)

The Final Submission

Final Submission 30%• All prior submissions

knitted together into one coherent essay.

• Length- Approx. 25-30 pages, but no more than 40 pages of text, not including the Works Cited and Appendices

• Minimum 25 sources.

The Final Submission

Content• Approx. 3-5 new pages

• Write-up of TWO in-person expert interviews.

• Write up of Civic Engagement (supporting action) and Reflection

• Concludes with your supported final conclusion and personal moral reasoning.

Revise

• Think of old papers as first drafts!

• The Final Submission is an improved version of 2 and 3 in content and in form.

THE FINAL PAPER

Reflections

• Reflection on your interviews and what role they played

• Reflection on your civic engagement

The Final Conclusion

• Your specific plan to solve the social problems identified in the beginning of your project

• Your conclusion/solution must include:– Your answer to the title question

– Your argumentation that supports this answer

– Your moral reasoning that supports this answer

• Don’t fear the first person

Argumentation for the Final Solution

• Empirical/ Argumentative Reasons

• Personal Reasons

• Moral reasons

• PP 83-86

Feasibility

• Provide Counter-arguments for the most powerful arguments against your solution

• Discuss how your solution might be implemented and any difficulties in implementation.

The Conclusion

• Offer an overview and tell the reader what you learned

• Address reservations

• Restate the strongest points

• Finish with a call-to-action

Things to Add to the Appendix for The Final Paper

• IncludeA. Copies of legislationB. Your interview

QuestionsC. Documentation of your

civic engagementD. Any other appendices

• These go after the text, and before the works cited.

SUBMITTING THE PAPER

Where and When

• Doyle 226

• 9:50 AM

• May 3rd

What to turn in

• Two copies of your final paper

• The Research File

• An uploaded file to Blackboard

Paper Copy #1

• The Graded Version

• 100% MLA Form on the header and the pages

• MLA in this paper is 2.25% of your final grade!

Paper Copy #2

• This will be turned into the man

• Use your id instead of your name in the header and on page numbers

• Omit my name from the MLA header on page 1

Blackboard Upload

• This paper must also be submitted to Blackboard (turnitin) by 11:59 PM on May 3rd.

• Failure to do this will result in a 10 point deduction on the final paper grade.

• Don’t leave points on the board

The Research File

• This is 7.5% of your final graded and must be turned in with your paper

• You should note whether or not you want it back.

What the Research File must contain

• It must be organized in an easily accessible way

• Previous submissions (1-3) and Powerpoint Slides– You can just turn in the graded copies if you would

like

• Notes that you have taken

What about Books and Articles?

• Printouts of online material used – E.g. Cq Researcher

• Photocopies of articles used

• Do not photocopy entire books, but include notes and/or photocopies of pages used

More on the Research File

• Notes from interviews

• Notes from civic engagement

• The Contact information of your interviewees (name, position, phone, email)

The Research File

• This is an opportunity cost

• Basic works best

• No extra points for being cute