Research Project Assignment

Research Project: “Writing Right Now”

Jack Christian, Eng 102

Broad Research Question: How is the internet and the Information Revolution changing the practices of reading and writing?

Background: Nicholas Carr, in his essay, “Is Google Making Us Stupid?” argues that use of the internet is fundamentally changing the way humans think. According to Carr, these changes are most noticeable in terms of the way he now reads, as he “power-browses” the web for information.

In “Why I Blog,” journalist Andrew Sullivan claims that blogging has brought about a new form of writing, and with it a new writer-ly “sensibility.”

Both of these authors touch upon the fact that in academia and popular culture alike, the process, content, structure, form, rules, manners, logics of writing and reading (and meaning-making in general) are changing rapidly. This “shift” is what we will be focusing on for your research projects.

Assignment: Your job is to locate a primary text that evidences some part(s) of the change in writing/reading brought on by the Information Age. The text you choose could be a blog or tumblr account, it could be a twitter account, or a facebook page. It could be a website, a course syllabus, an email, a txt message, or even a movie or tv episode, a song, a music video, a commercial, a product, a product’s packaging, possibly even an “app.” Choose carefully. The best texts will be ones that allow you to develop your own ideas about these changes, and what they mean.

Once you have located this text, you will undertake a close reading, in which you will present your own original thesis statement that addresses how your text exemplifies some aspect(s) of this shift, and the underlying assumptions and values suggested by your text.

In so doing, you will want to bring in at least 4 outside sources (at least 2 scholarly sources) that help you articulate the “conversation” that surrounds the text you have chosen, and that you will use to help you articulate and discuss your own original ideas about the text you are studying.

Process: First we will begin looking for interesting texts (primary sources) to study. Then we will start looking for sources to help us in discussing these texts. Along the way, you’ll compile an 8 source annotated bibliography. Think of this as your presentation of the “conversation” surrounding the text you have chosen to study. After that, you will begin drafting your essay in which you will present your own ideas about the text you have chosen, in conjunction with the information and ideas presented by your sources.

Length: 5-6 pages

Primary Sources: 1 well chosen text. See above.

Secondary Sources: at least 4, 2 of which must be scholarly sources, NO NEWSPAPERS

Schedule:

W, 11/9: Read to p. 79 of About a Mountain.

Begin thinking of texts you might analyze. Bring brief list to class Wed.

Present annotated bibliography assignment

Response paper due: How would you characterize D’Agata’s process of writing and researching based on how he has structured his book? What is he interested in articulating? Why do you think he has chosen the “who, what, where, when, why?” structure for his chapters?

F, 11/11: VETERAN’S DAY HOLIDAY

M, 11/14: Meet in Library to go-over database research

W, 11/16: 4 annotated sources due. Read to p. 167 AAM

F, 11/18: Finish AAM. Response Paper due: topic TBA

M, 11/21: 8 source graded annotated bib due, along with 2-3 page write up of “the conversation” that is created by your sources.

W, 11/23: Thanksgiving Holiday

M – W 11/28 – 11/30: Individual conferences in Ely beside Subway. First draft due at conference. BRING 2 COPIES

F, 12/2: Revised draft due in class

M, 12/5: Final draft due