Senior Thesis Assignment and Due Dates

WOW Thesis Instructions

Topic and Length: Your WOW thesis will be a 7 to 10 page essay that explores a topic of your choosing.  The topic should be one that you are interested in and have a passion for.  I recommend finding a topic that is related to your potential field of study in your post-secondary endeavors, whether in college or in a trade school.  You may take either an expository or persuasive approach to this essay, but in both cases the essay should be thesis driven and follow MLA format for margins, spacing, font size, etc.   You will also be required to do a presentation to the class that covers your findings.

Sources: You are required to have a minimum of 5 college-level sources that are properly cited in your essay and on your works-cited page.  One of these sources should be a primary source, which is an original source (diaries, presentations, events, surveys).  According to Write Source, they “inform you directly, not through a second person’s explanation or interpretation” (372).   You may use other medium besides print, but limit your use of these kinds of sources.  Only two web site references are allowed unless you have conferenced with me about your sources.  You may use more than one primary source if you wish, but be sure that you have at least 5 dependable sources. 

Merely completing a google search is not an effective way to go about this assignment.  Use the Multnomah County library databases (JSTOR or Academic Search Premier for example), OSLIS, or Google Scholar to ensure that you have more accurate and reliable resources.  This will require that you have a library card, so be sure you bring one to class on lab days.  For those of you who have access to the PSU library, use their databases and books.  Our library may also have books available for you, depending on your topic.

If you don’t have a topic in mind, I advise conducting a Google search for one.  I typed in “research topics” and received several hits with lists of questions or possible topics.  Have a few in mind just in case I won’t approve your favorite topic.

WOW Research Paper

Assignments and Due Dates

January 12:  Paper and annotated bib assigned

January 15:  Lab time

January 20:  Four annotated bibliographies due. (20 summative pts)

  

January 20:  Lab time: Note cards and outline assigned. 

January 26: Note cards due (20 summative pts)

January 27: Outline due (20 summative pts)

First Draft Assigned.

January 27:  Lab time. Drafting

February 5: First Draft Due (25 formative pts) Peer Editing.

Second Draft Assigned                                            

February 10: Lab time

February 17: Second Draft Due (40 formative pts) Ms. Cooper will edit and review

Final Draft Assigned

March 3: Lab time. Work on final draft  

March 5: Final Draft Due (400 summative pts) 

                                       

Annotated bibliographies, note cards, outline, and all drafts will also have individual non-academic grades.  You’ll either earn full credit or none depending on if you turned the assignment in on time.  On time means at the beginning of class you have come in with your assignment in tow.  If you have to use class time to print, then it is late.

No thesis means a no pass for the semester.