Prompt:
Defining history of singular cause or singular effect
The primary goal of Essay 1 is to establish a comprehensive understanding of your chosen subject. This involves defining the central topic, delving into the underlying issue, providing historical context, and conducting a thorough analysis of either a single cause with multiple effects, or a single effect with multiple causes. Do not pick both.
A cause is something that produces an issue (creates problem; antecedent).
An effect is what results from an issue (consequences; aftermath).
Select an individual research topic that addresses the concept of cultural stagnation (CS). Cultural stagnation encompasses instances of social injustice, including civil unrest, marginalization, and inequality within specific communities, leading to a cultural standstill (metaphorical quicksand). This issue often goes unnoticed by the media, which might not fully cover or even address the problem. Consider cultures or communities that are suffering due to the absence of equal rights and access to goods and services.
Your chosen topic must provide the scope to discuss cultural progression (CP) in Essay 5, separate from Essays 1, 2, 3 and 4. Cultural progression should encompass both practical and idealistic solutions, as well as logically sound compromises.
Essay 1 should not discuss counterarguments and oppositions nor solutions (which you will cover in later essays).
Keep in mind that you will be composing four mini essays centered around a single individual research topic, which can ultimately be arranged into a final research paper ranging from 15 to 20 pages (equivalent to 4,500 to 6,000 words) by the end of the semester.
When selecting a topic, conduct preliminary research to assess the availability of relevant information to support your research essay. Additionally, explore the diverse positions that past writers have taken on similar topics. Understanding the spectrum of possible responses is beneficial before formulating your own stance.
Your topic is debatable, encompassing a minimum of four viewpoints (perspective and angles surrounding topic). It should also possess complexity and the potential to yield credible research. If you find that conducting credible research, involving data from varied sources, is unattainable, you will need to choose an alternative topic. Research is not linear; it is a process of trail and error.
Choose a topic that empowers you as a student, writer, researcher, and critical thinker. Think strategically about the knowledge and growth you will gain during the research process.
How will your work empower not only your readers and audience but also those who may not be directly impacted by the issue you’ve chosen?
What unique insights can you provide that readers cannot simply Google and comprehend within a minute?
You are encouraged to draw from the topic you submitted for approval during your Pre-Outline assignment in Week 1, but you’re not limited to this choice.”
Assignment Details
Your audience is myself and your classmates. Assume we do not have much background information on your individual topic.
How will your individual research topic define cultural stagnation and cultural progression?
Cultural stagnation is a cultural gridlock or social injustice.
There are no right or wrong answers, you just have to justify, defend, and explain your selection.
How will you organize your historical, contextual, findings to define your individual research topic?
Pick 1 of the organization below; do not use both:
1 cause and at least 4 effects: singular cause & main, immediate, contributory, and remote effects. -or-
1 effect and at least 4 causes: singular effect & main, immediate, contributory, and remote causes.
Required Research:
A minimum of five credible sourcesLinks to an external site.. A credible source must be peer reviewed; come from a scholarly or academic journal; must have an author and date of publication; must have their own Works Cited or References or Bibliography pages; must be from ; ; .
Put each of your source through a CRAAP test (watch video): Links to an external site.
Links to an external site.Currency: the timeliness of the information;
Relevance: the importance of the information for your needs;
Authority: the source of the information;
Accuracy: the reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the content;
Purpose: the reason the information exists.
You may use Google Scholar,Links to an external site. but do not pay for articles.
IVC Library Research DatabasesLinks to an external site.
Browse topics from CQ ResearcherLinks to an external site.
Grading Criteria; Rubric; Skills covered
Include a two part creative title for final drafts = X:Y” =
X = key word that addresses your essay’s topic.
Y = key phrase that addresses your essay’s thesis.
For example: “Assimilation: The Price of Self-Denial”
For example: “Conspiracy Theories: America’s Coping Mechanism”
For example: “Government Control: Public and Private Conversations about Love”
For example: “Fear and Vulnerability: Insight on Queer Narratives”
Introduction paragraph (approximately 12-16 sentences):
Use a non-rhetorical hook: do not open dialogue to ask your readers to ask them a rhetorical question.
Do not use a random quote from a famous person nor a quote from your sources.
Provide effective background info of your issue and efficient background commentary.
Synthesize points of your essay’s argument (quick preview of your body paragraphs).
Do not provide textual evidence from your sources in the intro paragraph.
Your thesis statement should show up at the 70% mark of your intro paragraph followed by a closing statement.
Your thesis statement may be 3-4 sentences long.
Your thesis should declare: What is your topic? Why does it matter to those who are affected and those who are not affected?
Your thesis should address how globalization contributes to a cultural stagnation and what will cultural progression look like?
Your thesis should not be an obvious statement of fact; universal wisdom; or cliche.
Your thesis should include all three elements WHAT; WHY; and HOW?
What are the causes of effects of the cultural stagnation?
This is dependent on which organizational chain you select: 1 cause and multiple effects -or- 1 effect and multiple causes
Why is your topic a cultural stagnation?
How does globalization contribute to the issue (stagnation) or the solution (progression)?
Your essay should have at least five well-developed body paragraphs.
everyone’s first body paragraph on a singular cause or a singular effect (historical context; background commentary; laying out definitions needed to understand your topic).
Upload .pdf .doc or .docx on Canvas.
Do not copy and paste text. Do not submit Google Document Link.
Length: 3-4 pages (1,000-1,200 words).
MLA format: Double-Spaced. 1 inch margins all around; use Times New Roman font 12.
Any essay turned in without appropriate MLA or APA in-text citations and MLA Works Cited or APA References will NOT receive a grade.
MLA Works CitedLinks to an external site.: On a separate page. Does not count towards required pages.
MLA in-text citationLinks to an external site.Links to an external site.: at least 2 pieces of textual evidence (quotes or paraphrase) per body paragraph.
Keep turnitin.com “quoting matches” below 30%. “Quoting matches” above 35% WITHOUT a strong thesis statement and detailed analysis may result in danger of failing.
Use formal academic language; in other words, use 3rd person point of view only.
Do not use 1st person singular: “I, my, me” pronouns. This makes your paper informal, opinion based, and less objective, research based.
Do not use 1st person collective: “we; our; us” pronouns. This forces your readers to identify with your argument before they have decided for themselves.
Do not use 2nd person point of view: “you; your” pronouns. This makes your paper informal.
Include a two part creative title for final drafts = X:Y” =
X = key word that addresses your essay’s topic.
Y = key phrase that addresses your essay’s thesis.
For example: “Assimilation: The Price of Self-Denial”
For example: “Conspiracy Theories: America’s Coping Mechanism”
For example: “Government Control: Public and Private Conversations about Love”
For example: “Fear and Vulnerability: Insight on Queer Narratives”
Review Resources before Submission:
Essay 1 Prompt: Defining history of singular cause or singular effect
Essay 1 Body Paragraph Organization: Pick 1 singular cause and multiple effects OR singular effect with multiple causes
Essay 1 Rubric
EngFish is… and How to Avoid EngFish
How to apply CRAAP Test How to Evaluate Credible Sources
List of Approved Individual Research Topics
Sample Cultural Stagnation Topics via Specific Locale
Sample list of successful student research topics from previous semesters that addresses all 3 key terms for this course (cultural stagnation; globalization; and cultural progression):
Ongoing list for approved individual research topic: no longer available for selection
The following content is partner provided
