Summer19-Unit1Prompt
Global Warming and Development
English 101 – Unit 1: Inquiry-Based Research Project
Project Overview:
For this project, you will be researching and composing a 4-5-page paper where you will learn more
about one of your own personal interests. Typically, when you’re asked to write a research paper,
you develop an argumentative thesis and then—using research—prove your predetermined
argument. However, for this project you will be developing an inquiry-based research question. In
other words, you will not be presenting an argument where you prove your opinion; instead, you’re
going to be exploring what you do not know by developing a research question instead of a thesis to
guide your composition.
In choosing a topic, I first ask you to choose a topic that is of value to you and that you have first-
hand experience with so you can utilize your own knowledge on the subject matter. Therefore, when
generating your focus be sure to focus on something you know a good deal about, have participated
in, and/or experienced first-hand. After narrowing your interest, you will develop a “guiding
research question” rather than a thesis statement because the research you will be doing is meant to
further your knowledge and expertise rather than simply “prove” the opinion or experience you
already have.
Once you have chosen your focus, you will need to figure out what you would like to know more
about. What questions do you still have regarding the matter? How much do you know about the
history of your topic? Do you know how your interest has been changed and/or improved? It is
important to note that in this paper you will be interweaving your lived experiences into the research
that you will do on your topic.
Parameters:
• At least 2 scholarly sources
• At least 2 popular sources
• 12 point font, Times New Roman
• Double-Spaced, 1 inch margins
• 4-5 pages
Important Dates:
• Project Proposal = Friday, June 14th
• Peer Review = Thursday, June 19
• Unit 1 Assignment = Sunday, June 23
Notes:
• If you do not include both in-text citations within your paper as well as a works cited you
cannot earn higher than a 70 on your unit project. If you continue to not include in-text
citations in your unit projects, you will earn a failing grade because that’s considered
plagiarism.
• If your composition is not at least 3 full pages you cannot earn higher than a 75 on your unit
project.