Paper Four

CRTW 201

Dr. Fike

Paper Four: Global Engagement Paper

Preamble

You all remember the GLI, the Global Learning Initiative? In our fourth and final unit, we will study texts that have things to teach us about that very topic. In addition, the assignment encourages you to attend a globally oriented cultural event and to write your paper about it. Unlike many sections of CRTW, then, this one does not end with your research paper. By the time we get to unit 4, that will already be under your belt--and good for you! Paper 4 is just a regular 5-7 page essay like the first two. Like paper 2, however, paper 4 will require some research so that you are well-informed on the subject of the cultural event. You do have to have some background knowledge in order to evaluate something, and that means doing more than just perusing the speaker's website.

The Assignment

I would like you to attend a GLOBAL cultural event and take copious notes. Here is the schedule: http://www2.winthrop.edu/culturalevents/calendar.htm. Not all of the events on the list are appropriate. Generally, those that emphasize academic content are likely to be appropriate, but music and dance and food are not. Look for a lecture or presentation by one or more speakers; performances and workshops will not be successful focused topics for this assignment.

YOUR CULTURAL EVENT MUST TAKE PLACE DURING THE PRESENT SEMESTER; DO NOT "RECYCLE" AN EVENT FROM A PREVIOUS SEMESTER.

Your job is then to apply the elements and the standards of critical thinking to your global cultural event. Use the elements to analyze the event (here analysis means a critical summary). Do with the event the same thing you could use the elements to do with a lecture in any of your courses. Then use the standards to determine how well the speakers achieved their purposes. At some point in your paper, bring in material from one of the authors in our final unit--Anzaldúa or Pratt. Of course, you also need an explicit connection to something from Nosich's book.

Thesis

Your thesis this time should take a stand on how well the speakers did. For example, I will use the standards of precision and sufficiency to argue that the speakers effectively achieved [their purposes: be specific] because + some reason why you think so. Note that it is very okay to be critical in your thesis if your evaluation calls for it. Remember: You are analyzing AND evaluating the cultural event. Therefore, paper 4 could appropriately be called a "review" of a cultural event.

Paper 4 is NOT a classical argument, so you do not need an "although" clause in your thesis or objections in the body.

Outline

• Introduction (thesis)
• Analysis/critical summary (elements: Nosich, ch. 2).
• Evaluation/standards check (standards: Nosich, ch. 4; your research; disciplinary considerations; alternatives; FBIs, etc.)
• Conclusion (critical thinking traits: Nosich, ch. 5)

Note: The ratio of analysis to evaluation may vary, but you must be careful not to have pages of analysis and only a brief paragraph of evaluation. Make sure that both sections receive the necessary development. Note as well that something is not accurate or sufficient just because you say it is. Once you assert an evaluation, you must make a case for it.

Note: For the evaluation section, be sure to consider the 10 questions on pages 155-56 and points a, b, and c on page 156 in Nosich's book. Point c refers you to the Standards Check on pages 158-59. This paper is a standards check; therefore, for heaven's sake, make sure that you mention the standards in your paper!

Also, use the past tense to discuss the event; use the present tense to incorporate your sources.

In the conclusion, discuss how well the speaker(s) illustrate(s) the critical thinking habits of mind that Nosich talks about on pages 175-76.

Requirements

• Write 5 pages minimum, 7 pages maximum plus an 8th page for works cited. Stay within the 5-7 page required length.
• Remember to follow the "Format for Papers" in the syllabus as well as "Guidelines for Papers."
• Label the sections of your paper as follows:  introduction, analysis, evaluation, conclusion. Your introduction should be just one paragraph. Obviously the body will be multiple paragraphs. The conclusion may also be multiple paragraphs.
• Number your paragraphs.
• You must use the 8+ elements and at least two of the standards. Be sure to boldface each element or standard the first time you use it in the body of your paper. There should be some discussion of the traits in the conclusion. Please also boldface your topic sentences in the body. Do not boldface anything in the introduction or conclusion.
• Quote and discuss at least one statement from Nosich and at least one from Anzaldúa or Pratt. You do not have to mention an author in your thesis; however, something from Ways of Reading should inform your analysis or your evaluation (or both). You will find excellent inspiration on pages 714ff. in our anthology.
• Build at least one SEE-I into your paper. More would be better.
• Lower-order correctness is very important and will have an impact on your grade.
• Properly use the MLA format (signal phrases, citations, works cited list) for all sources that you use. Your cultural event is a source. This time, I will lower your grade if your use of the MLA format is incorrect. Fair warning.
• You must submit your paper to turnitin.com in order to receive credit.

Alternative

If you would rather not write about a global cultural event, you may instead write about the piece by Edward Said (pronounced sigh-EED) in Ways of Reading and apply the same mechanisms to it. If you select this alternative, you must still include something from Nosich and either Anzaldúa or Pratt. My Said handout should help you get started. Since half of the chapter is photographs, you will need to include some analysis and evaluation of them.