ENGL 1101: Introduction to University Writing A4-1
TRU Open Learning
Assignment 4: Research Paper (50 marks, 30%)
Instructions
In this assignment, you will produce a 1500-word research paper based on the
research topic you chose for Assignment 3: Annotated Bibliography.
The general topic for this assignment is:
“The impact of digital technology.”
You will need to significantly narrow down the topic to a specific focus that interests
you. For example, you can explore the impact of digital technology on education, on
political participation, on interpersonal communication, or on business strategies.
You could also focus on the impact of digital media on different aspects of our
wellbeing, i.e., social, psychological, physical, occupational, etc.
Based on the specific topic for your annotated bibliography, you are expected to
locate this topic in the existing knowledge, identify a knowledge deficit, and make a
new claim which will be supported by reasoned argument.
Please adhere to the following guidelines for the organization of your research
paper.
Introduction:
Your introduction should sketch the typical rhetorical moves academic writers make
as they find a position for themselves:
? Describe the existing knowledge on a topic by way of summary and citations
from other sources.
? Identify the knowledge deficit, i.e., something missing, inadequate, or hidden
in the view expressed in the existing knowledge, or something more
complicated than that view.
? Make a thesis claim that will address the gap (knowledge deficit) in the
existing knowledge.
You must draw on at least one of the articles in your annotated bibliography to
examine the existing knowledge, identify a knowledge deficit, and make a thesis
claim.
Refer to Unit 4, Topic 1 for features of introductions.
A4-2 Assignment 4: Research Paper
TRU Open Learning
Body Paragraphs:
The body part of your research paper—the main components of your paper—
should provide argument and reasoning that justify the thesis claim you have made
in the introduction.
Each paragraph of your body will need a guiding/topic sentence. A guiding/topic
sentence functions as a way for the writer to signal to the reader that the paper is
moving to the next section. Guiding/topic sentences should call up key words and
phrases from the thesis claim and guide the reader’s interpretations of the details
that follow.
Body paragraphs are also where you cite sources to provide evidence for your
argument. There are three general ways to incorporate sources into your paper:
summary, paraphrase, and direct citation. Decisions about which to use when are
decided by the emphasis you wish to make on certain points. Summary and
paraphrase are used to make more generalized claims, while direct citation is used
to discuss details. A balance of all three is typical.
The number of body paragraphs for your research paper is best decided as you
draft, consult sources again, determine what information you want to present, and
decide what you want to emphasize.
Refer to Unit 4, Topic 2 for the structure of body paragraphs.
Conclusion:
Students are often told to restate the thesis in the conclusion of their essay. The goal
for the conclusion of a scholarly research paper, however, is not only to summarize
the main points you have made in your paper, but also to provide avenues for other
writers to create new knowledge from what you have said.
You want to refer to your thesis, reminding readers of the main concepts the paper has
addressed. But you want to go further than that. Some further gestures you can make in
your conclusion include: a statement of the relevance or significance of your argument,
an indication of the limitations of your argument, a suggestion of areas for further
research, and a presentation of solutions to the problem or a call for action.
Imagine your paper as part of a conversation undertaken by people who care about
your topic. Your conclusion should include what you feel is most important—what
you want your reader to remember most significantly.
Refer to Unit 4, Topic 3 for features of conclusions.
This assignment does not require you to conduct primary research (surveys,
interviews, etc.). You are expected to work with secondary sources (books, articles,
government and scholarly websites, etc.).
ENGL 1101: Introduction to University Writing A4-3
TRU Open Learning
To support your argument in the research paper, you can draw on articles in your
annotated bibliography, other articles on our course reading list that you did not
include in your annotated bibliography, or new sources you have found (minimum
four and maximum 10 sources). When you draw on new sources outside the course
reading list, make sure they are credible scholarly sources.
You are expected to construct a title and abstract for your research paper that reflect
the focus of your discussion
Refer to Unit 4, Topic 4 for help with titles and abstracts.
Refer to the APA File Template formatting (available in your online files).
Marking Guide (50 marks)
Marking Criteria Excellent Very good Satisfactory Does Not Meet
Expectations
Structure and Style
The assignment
accurately uses
required APA
format for setting up
the paper, including
the title, abstract, in-
text citations, and
references. There is
logical and
appropriate overall
organization.
(5 marks)
? Excellent use of
APA formatting
? Judicious
arrangement of
ideas
? Unifying effect or
controlling idea is
successfully
sustained and
integrated
? Good use of
APA
formatting
? Purposeful
arrangement
of ideas
? Unifying
effect or
controlling
idea
coherently
sustained
? Satisfactory
use of APA
formatting
? Straightforwar
d arrangement
of ideas
? Unifying
effect or
controlling
idea is
presented and
maintained,
but coherence
may falter
? APA
formatting
does not meet
expectations
? Discernable
but ineffectual
arrangement of
ideas
? Unifying effect
or controlling
idea is
inconsistently
maintained
Content
The introduction
clearly demonstrates
the typical rhetorical
moves of existing
knowledge on the
topic, knowledge
deficit, and thesis
claim.
(5 marks)
? Carefully crafted
introduction
makes excellent
use of rhetorical
moves
? Well-
organized
introduction
makes use of
rhetorical
moves
? Paper
introduces
knowledge
and
knowledge
deficit, and
makes a thesis
claim
? Introduction
does not meet
expectations
A4-4 Assignment 4: Research Paper
TRU Open Learning
Marking Criteria Excellent Very good Satisfactory Does Not Meet
Expectations
Body paragraphs
incorporate
information from
multiple sources to
support the thesis
claim. There are
topic sentences for
body paragraphs
that call up key
words and phrases
from the thesis, and
guide the reader’s
interpretations of the
details that follow.
(15 marks)
? Insightful body
paragraphs
incorporate
information from
multiple sources
to support the
thesis claim
? Topic sentences
for body
paragraphs call
up key words and
phrases from the
thesis, and guide
the reader’s
interpretations of
the details that
follow
? Well-
organized
body
paragraphs
support the
thesis claim
? Topic
sentences for
body
paragraphs
guide the
reader’s
interpretations
of the details
that follow
? Body
paragraphs
support the
thesis claim
? Topic
sentences for
body
paragraphs
state the intent
of the
paragraph
? Body
paragraphs do
not meet
expectations
There is a concluding
paragraph that not
only summarizes the
main points of the
paper, but also makes
other rhetorical
moves such as
offering possibilities
for further research or
information about the
relevance of the
argument.
(5 marks)
? An excellent
concluding
paragraph
summarizes the
main points of the
paper and makes
other rhetorical
moves such as
offering
possibilities for
further research or
information about
the relevance of
the argument
? A strong
concluding
paragraph
summarizes
the main
points of the
paper
? A concluding
paragraph
summarizes
the main
points of the
paper
? Concluding
paragraph does
not meet
expectations
Coherence and
relevance exist
among ideas. There
is a logical
progression of ideas
that support the
overarching thesis
claim of the paper.
No gaps or
disconnections exist
between different
points or paragraphs.
There is a balance of
the writer’s own
ideas and citations
from sources.
(10 marks)
? Excellent balance
of writer’s own
ideas and
citations from the
text
? Coherence and
relevance of ideas
creatively
supports the
overarching
thesis claim of
the paper
? Strong
balance of
writer’s own
ideas and
citations from
the text
? Coherence
and relevance
of ideas
supports the
overarching
thesis claim of
the paper
? Ideas are
coherent and
relevant, and
support the
overarching
thesis claim of
the paper
? Coherence,
relevance,
and/or
progression
does not
support thesis
claim
ENGL 1101: Introduction to University Writing A4-5
TRU Open Learning
Marking Criteria Excellent Very good Satisfactory Does Not Meet
Expectations
Writing
Sentences are
grammatically
correct. Ideas are
clearly and
accurately
expressed.
Academic tone and
style are applied.
Language of
attribution is
correctly used when
sources are cited.
(10 marks)
? Skillful stylistic
choices
contribute to an
academic tone,
clarity of content,
and a convincing
voice
? Attributive verbs
are well
integrated
throughout the
paper
? No or very few
grammatical/usag
e/punctuation
errors
? Stylistic
choices
contribute to
an academic
tone, clarity of
content, and
an appropriate
voice
? Attributive
verbs are used
throughout to
refer to ideas
of the author
? Few
grammatical/u
sage/punctuati
on errors
? An academic
tone and style
are applied.
? Attributive
verbs are used
throughout to
refer to ideas
of the author
? Several
grammatical/u
sage/punctuati
on errors
? Ideas may not
be clearly
expressed
? Tone may not
be appropriate
for an
academic
summary
? Attributive
verbs may not
be effectively
used.
? Grammatical/
usage/
punctuation
errors impede
understanding
of the
assignment
Total marks out of 50 = _______
Submission Requirements
Submit Assignment 4 after you have completed Unit 4.
Note
You should not submit this assignment until you have received a grade
for Assignment 3.