final instruction and submission
Instructions for Final and Submission Page
Background: The final for this course asks you to complete your own independent research and read, annotate, and respond to a scholarly journal article that you find yourself. It’s very similar to the Midterm. The main difference is you need to find your own article, you’ll need to also assess the article’s credibility and context a bit more, and it’s a little longer. You’re encouraged to use your feedback on the Midterm to help with the final.
Directions: You will find a credible, long form article via the SCC Library website and then complete 4 steps: Summarize, Analyze Credibility, Analyze Argument, and Include a Citation.
In more detail…
Complete your own research, using the SCC Library database, to find a reputable argumentative article, of at least 10 pages, which relates to a topic in The Underground Railroad that you found interesting and want to learn about. You should pick a clearly argumentative source if you can. What type of source? You can find any type o f source as long as it’s credible and considered ‘long form,’ so it needs to be 10 pages, which is about 5000 words. The article you find can be about anything tied closely or loosely with the novel. It does not need to be about the novel or the author itself. Topics having to do with slavery, the underground railroad, abolitionism are closely tied. Topics dealing with power, racism, plantations are more loosely tied. Topics like sports, biology, astrology, are not very tied. The source shouldn’t be about the book or Whitehead himself necessarily.
Source Check. Use this check-list to help:
Is there a clear author?
Did you find it via the SCC Library?
Is it argumentative?
Once you’ve narrowed down to one article, you will read and annotate the source that you find. You will be required to submit the article and your annotations and it’s great if your annotations are on the document itself. If not the document itself, you can submit a document with your annotations.
*** (This is the most important step!) Then, in one single document you will you complete a Source Analysis, which is actually very similar to what we did with the midterm. Please follow these steps:
Summarize: Provide a summary about what your article is about. What are the main ideas and supporting ideas? What is the author’s point and what evidence does the author use to make their point? This should primarily be written in your own words without relying on quotes. Include a strong thesis paraphrase in your first or second sentence. This should be 300-500 words.
Analyze Credibility: What is the credibility of this article? In 500-750 words (about 2-3 pages) words, please analyze the credibility of the source, using the CRAAP test to help. You may need to do external research. If so, please cite these extra sources in MLA format.
- Analyze Argument: Evaluate the argument of the article, just like what we did for the midterm. This is a rhetorical analysis. Review all those wonderful steps here: 6.2 – Read Reading & Rhetorical Context chapter. If your source is not argumentative, you may find this section challenging. You can (and will still need to) rhetorically analyze, so work with me to figure out to tweak these questions. This should be 5 paragraphs, include at least 3 quotes, and be 750 words minimum (about 3-4 pages).
Include a Citation: Provide a correct and appropriate MLA citation for the source at the top of your document.
*include word counts for each section*
What you’ll submit
A PDF of the article – not a link. You need to download the article and then upload it to Canvas.
Your annotations on the article. This could be either on the article itself (See above) or in a separate document.
- One document that is clearly labeled and follows the format listed above, and includes all four (4) aspects above which will constitute your Final. You will submit your final right here where you are.
Requirements:
- Spell checked and polished. This is your Final, and your writing and effort should reflect that.
- Be 100% your own words. Please do not copy or accidentally plagiarize.
- In fact, your summary needs to be in your own words and should refrain from quoting.
- Your Credibility and Analysis of Argument section should also be based in your analysis and highlight your perspective, your voice, as a critical reader. Use quotes to support your point in these sections, but make sure to still explain your reasoning and interpretation.
- Include all required aspects discussed above (Citation, Summary, Credibility, Analysis of Argument)
- Follow appropriate Formatting (double spaced, clearly labeled, 12pt TNR font) See sample format here: Sample Final Formatting-1.docx
Actions
Follow the rubric (which can be found at the bottom of the assignment page here)
Meets minimum word requirement and quote requirements.
- Showcase a thorough understanding of the source via a summary, a developed analysis of the credibility of the source, and an analytical evaluation of how well the author of the article argues. Obviously this is a key aspect of the requirements 🙂
FAQ:
Am I writing an essay? No.
- How many sources do I have to find? Really, you only need to find one as this assignment is a close reading of one source. However, often students find 2 or 3 to start and then narrow down to the one they want to focus on. Your actual final is only on one singular article.
Does it need to be about the novel? Not really. It should be “loosely tied” but the novel covers so many topics. Topics having to do with slavery, the underground railroad, abolitionism are closely tied. Topics dealing with power, racism, plantations are more loosely tied. Topics like sports, biology, astrology, are not very tied. The source shouldn’t be about the book or Whitehead himself necessarily.
- Can I find the source via Google? Not really. You should use the SCC Library database.
Can any website work? Not really. It should be credible (use CRAAP to help!) and at least 10 pages.
Is my source okay? Send it over via email just in case!
- Do I need an intro/body/conclusion/thesis? No. Each section is very similar to the Midterm! See first question.
I’ll update this as more FAQs come in.
Need Help?
Reading Skills – Summary
2.2 – Review Main Idea & Supporting Details
2.4 – Review Identifying the Thesis with 5 Ws
- Reading Skills – Credibility
- 13.4 – Review Evaluating a Source’s Credibility
- Reading Skills – Analyzing Argument
6.2 – Read Reading & Rhetorical Context chapter
6.1 – Read and annotate “Backpacks vs. Briefcases: Steps toward Rhetorical Analysis” via Perusall
7.2 – Read Sample Rhetorical Analysis
Writing Help
More will continued to be added!
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