HUM 1021: Final Essay Package
Research Question/Thesis Statement, Outline, Research Plan, and Reflection: 15%
Final Essay: 30%
The final essay assignment is comprised of two parts:
1. A research question that is developed into a thesis statement, an essay outline, a tentative
research plan, and a short reflection on the workshopping process
2. a 5-7 page essay which asks you to construct and develop an argument that is supported
by scholarly evidence
Detailed Guidelines for Each Component
Research Question/Thesis Statement, Outline, Research Plan, and Reflection: for the in-
class workshop on March 29th, you are asked to prepare a research question, basic outline, and
tentative research plan. We will discuss these components in class together on March 15th.
As you craft your preliminary documents, be sure to review the research question readings
posted to D2L. As you work on your outline, review the different outlining formats we discussed
earlier this term. As with the short essay you can choose any outline format that works best for
your learning style (topic outline, sentence outline, blueprint, or graphic), as long as the
document clearly sketches the main ideas you hope to develop in the essay.
You also need to include an early stage research plan. At the end of your outline, gesture to at
least two specific databases, journals, or texts you plan to review for appropriate source material.
If you have already begun your research and have found possible sources, be sure to include
citations at the end of your outline. The more information you include at this early stage the more
you can develop your research plan and materials in class and through my feedback.
You will bring this document (research question, outline, and research plan) to an in-class
workshop. In small groups, you will explain your topic and question, note what sources you plan
to explore, and offer an overview of the outline you have developed. Then your group members
will review your document and offer feedback and suggestions (both written and discussed in the
groups). Each group member will go through the steps of both giving and receiving feedback on
their preliminary thinking. You should leave the workshop with suggestions from at least two
peers.
After the workshop, you will revise your documents to include a preliminary thesis statement
that has developed out of your research question, the feedback you receive in the workshop, and
the research you complete after the workshop. You will also write a short reflective paragraph on
the whole process. For the reflection, I ask that you think about the practice of giving and getting
feedback, consider how your ideas developed through discussion, and gesture to the next steps
for the paper. Here are some questions to consider:
• How did your peers respond to your research question? How did your research question
develop through discussion?
• Did your approach or angle into the topic change because of the discussion in your group?
• Did you learn anything new or interesting about the topic because of a point raised by your
group members, or did the conversation allow you to consider a new aspect of the topic?
• Did the workshop help you narrow your focus and think in more detail about your research
plan? Do you now have a better sense of how to start the research process or how to develop
your thinking through your sources?
• How did it feel to share and discuss your ideas with others? How did it feel to discuss the work
of others?
After the workshop, you will submit: the original copy of your research question, outline, and
research plan (with marginal notes from your peers), a revised copy that includes your thesis
statement and outline (which integrates peer feedback), your proposed research plan (ideally
more concrete), and the short reflection (250 words minimum). This process is the same as the
last essay! There are just slightly different components this time around.
These documents are worth 15% of your grade and are due to D2L by April 5th at
midnight.
Final Essay

The final essay for the course is an argumentative essay. Building on the summarization and
analytical skills you have developed so far, the argumentative essay asks you to assess and
integrate outside sources in support of a central claim about your chosen topic.

Rather than relying exclusively on what you know about a topic, or developing your own
analysis as the crux of the paper, an argumentative essay asks you to include research material in
support of your thesis. For this paper, the material you use must be peer-reviewed or from
scholarly texts (e.g. no random websites or Wikipedia articles). This paper asks you to
familiarize yourself with academic research practices and library resources.

Though bringing in evidence to support your claims is key, the essay is not a patchwork of what
others have said about a topic. Instead, it is your responsibility to:

• select and narrow your topic
• develop a manageable thesis statement and argument
• control how that thesis statement develops throughout the paper
• assess quality sources and integrate evidence from your sources effectively to support
your argument
• organize all information in the essay to support your key claim
• tie your points together at the level of the sentence and the paragraph
• proofread and edit carefully to ensure the clarity of the document
• use proper citation and formatting practices throughout

You know how to do most of these things already! This essay is a place for you to develop the
skills you have practiced all term and centre your voice on the page.

The essay will be 5-7 pages and must follow MLA or APA formatting guidelines. Please note:
students must complete all components of the final essay in order to pass the course.

You will have time in class to develop a research question out of the topics posted below. You
will also have time in the workshop to get and give feedback on your ideas, and to edit your
writing with others.

General Topics

Approaches to Combatting Climate Change

The Importance of Cultivating Literacy in Youth

The Impacts and/or Misconceptions of ‘Wellness’

Communication in the Digital Age

Gender Gaps in Education

Race and Institutional Space (schools, governments, prisons, etc.)

Choose your own topic (you will need to ok your topic with me before beginning the process)

Remember: these topics are a broad starting point rather than a focused area or thesis statement.
You will need to significantly narrow the focus of your topic to ensure you can speak effectively
to a particular angle in 5-7 pages. From your chosen angle into the topic, you will develop your
research question.

The essay is due April 19th by midnight to D2L and is worth 30% of your grade.