CMP-125 (Ross, Spring 2022)

CMP 125 Research Exploration Essay (4-5 pages)

First draft due 3/7. Final draft due 3/21.

**Remember to submit your draft and final version to Canvas AND turn in a printed copy.**

Once you have narrowed and proposed your research question, you will find, read, reread, annotate, and reflect upon at least ten substantial secondary and/or primary sources that respond to this question, at least five of which must be scholarly articles published in academic journals or as book chapters. Other sources may include magazine or newspaper articles or web sites recognized as legitimate in our classroom context. You may also incorporate primary sources such as interviews and surveys if such sources are relevant to your research question.

The 4-5-page research exploration essay is a narrative account of your research experience. As such, you can, and should, use the first person “I.” Begin this narrative with your initial research questions and your interest in them. Then, explain how you conducted your search and what you found. What were your frustrations? What were your breakthroughs? Which sources were the most helpful? Which were the least? Which part of the process was the most helpful? Which was the least?

Next, reflect on how your questions have transformed through your research. What do you know now that you didn’t know when you started? How have your ideas changed?

Finally, given your questions and exploration, give a working persuasive thesis for your final paper. What do you want to argue? Why do you want to argue this? Why should your audience care?

Include all referenced sources in a final “References” or “Works Cited” page in either MLA or Chicago style as well.