Research Paper Assignment

During the semester, we have discussed a number of concepts and theories about the way cities and urban areas are governed. You will now be asked to utilize this knowledge to develop a thesis-driven research paper on a particular policy area within New York City. You are welcome to rely on information from our special events, but do not feel constrained to work within these topics only.

Assignment: Using research from outside sources, as well as your knowledge of the theories of urban politics, write a short research paper that addresses a problem or question within a policy area that is currently of some concern to New Yorkers. Some examples of possible policy areas:

• The rebuilding of the World Trade Center (including memorializing 9/11 at the site), or the rebuilding of downtown more generally
• City campaigns and elections, including the recent battle over term limits
• Affordable housing (ensuring that homes and apartments are available to all, regardless of economic status)
• Anti-terror policies/policing (any aspect of law enforcement in the city, possibly focusing on anti-terror efforts)

Your paper should be specific to New York City, but should also incorporate some of the concepts and theories we have discussed in class this year. For example, you might discuss how structural economic constraints limit the choices of the City Council and/or Mayor’s Office in rebuilding the World Trade Center. Or, you could examine how different levels of government in the U.S. affect the anti-terror policies pursued by the MTA Police. Feel free to be creative in identifying a research question, but make sure that there is some connection with the theories and concepts from urban politics that we have discussed in class.

Your paper should have a strong thesis: it should adopt a strong point of view (or “take a stand”); be specific and limited in scope (it can’t too big to cover in a short research paper); and should be arguably true (it shouldn’t be patently obvious, like “cities are complicated”).

Your paper should be 9-10 pages, double-spaced, and typed with 1” margins. You probably should state your thesis clearly in your first paragraph. Also, I suggest that you use the first paragraph to lay out the structure of the essay (“Below, I will do X, and then Y, and then Z”).

Research and Sources: Research papers require you to support your argument with outside sources; however, this is not an excuse to simply string together a series of quotes and pass it off as your own work. You must organize others’ ideas and arguments yourself, using your own words, while taking care to give credit to others. You should limit the number of direct quotes you use in your paper; in general, if you quote more than 20-25 lines, you’re relying too much on your sources’ writing (and you will be penalized). Please remember that all information derived from your sources must be cited, even when you restate others’ ideas in your own words.

All citations should be properly formatted. I prefer Chicago/Turabian citation style, but you may use whichever format you would like as long as you use it consistently. Internet research sources are suitable for this assignment, but be aware that many sites are sponsored by advocacy groups and their objectivity and accuracy cannot be assumed. Wikipedia can provide useful background information and links, but is often poorly sourced and should NOT be cited as an authority. Citations to the Internet should be sufficiently specific so as to allow a reader to arrive at the same web page where you found the information.

Annotated Bibliography: In order to help guide your research, you are required to submit an Annotated Bibliography early in the writing process. The bibliography involves two components: a fully formatted citation for the source (again, using whatever citation style you choose), followed by a short, 100-150-word description of the source’s argument and relevance to your paper topic. Your bibliography should list at least six (6) credible sources, although you are welcome to include more. (This part of the assignment is only a formal version of what you should be doing anyway, namely finding sources and taking notes on their relevance to your project.) I will return the bibliographies to you with comments that hopefully will help you continue your research and prepare your paper draft. The bibliography will be graded separately from the paper, based on the quality of description, consistency of citation format, effort (less than 6 sources and you will be penalized), and credibility of sources. Examples and further information about annotated bibliographies are available here.

CAA Requirement: The writing process relies upon getting feedback from others – either peers, classmates, instructors or writing professionals. As an additional aid to help you complete a good research paper, you must make at least ONE visit to the Center for Academic Advancement for a coaching session. You can make an appointment, or just drop in; you can speak with one of their professional tutors, or their peer tutors (fellow students who are particularly skilled at writing). Please note that you can seek out feedback at ANY POINT in the writing process. You might already ask others to read your paper drafts (and good for you if you do), but you don’t have to wait until the paper is written. You can ask a coach to join you in brainstorming possible paper topics or thesis statements, working out an outline, or planning strategies for research, as well as review a draft with you.

When you visit, ask your CAA coach to complete the CAA Form (available from your instructor). You have not met your requirements for this assignment unless you submit the completed form by the time the final paper draft is due. Do not wait until the last minute; since you have most of the rest of the semester to schedule your visit, there will be NO EXCUSES for missing this part of the assignment.

Deadlines: The annotated bibliographies are due by the beginning of class on Friday, April 17, and will be returned the following week (4/24). Final papers are due by the beginning of class on Friday, May 8. Late papers are subject to penalties as described below (see section on “Grading”). You also have the option of submitting a draft of the paper at any point during the semester. Assuming you leave me enough time before the paper is due, I will be able to return the draft to you with comments. (You are also welcome to come to Office Hours or make an appointment for us to discuss your draft in person.) If you do take advantage of this draft option, I may ask that you submit a paper copy of the draft with my comments to me in class on May 8.

Both the Bibliography and the Final Draft must be uploaded on Turnitin.com, using the appropriate assignment link, by the beginning of class on the assigned deadlines. Uploaded files should be Microsoft Word documents (let me know if this might be a problem, and we’ll work out an alternative). The completed CAA form should be submitted to me in paper form by the beginning of class on May 8 (although you are welcome to submit it earlier).

Just to be clear, these again are the deadlines:

• Friday, April 17: Annotated Bibliography Due (Comments returned 4/24)
• Optional Draft can be turned in at any time
• Friday, May 8: Final Draft Due (Completed CAA Form submitted separately; first draft also submitted if applicable)

Grading: I’ve included below my standard criteria for grading paper assignments. Your paper will be assigned a letter grade largely based on these criteria. Please note that if you submit your essay late, without a valid and documented excuse, I will immediately deduct a full letter grade from your grade for the assignment. Also note that if you do not submit the completed CAA Form, I may deduct up to an additional full letter grade.

Grading Criteria:

• A: Expresses complex, independent thought with grace, clarity and force. Its purpose is clear from the start: it contains a thesis that is imaginatively, logically, and precisely developed. Not only is the paper organized, the organization does not seem mechanical or imposed. Any source material included is balanced and smoothly integrated into the essay. Each topical paragraph has a controlling idea, solid detail, and smooth transitions. The sentences are varied in length and structure. The writer chooses concrete, specific words and uses them correctly, employing diction that is distinctive and mature, with effective metaphors and analogies for clarity and emphasis. The essay contains no colloquialisms, clichés, or trite expressions. It is virtually free of grammatical and mechanical errors.
• B: Contains a clear thesis statement supported with good examples. The writer controls the essay’s development by arranging the examples supporting the thesis in an orderly and logical fashion. The essay is well-organized, but transitions are sometimes strained. Any source material included is smoothly integrated, and some independent conclusions are drawn. Each topical paragraph has a controlling idea and good supporting detail. The sentences are usually varied. The word choice is generally correct. The writer often goes beyond the automatic word choice to find one more precise and effective. The paper is generally correct mechanically, though there are some problems with complex grammar and punctuation traps.
• C: Contains a recognizable thesis and adequate development. Though the paper has some interesting parts, the interest is not uniformly maintained and the purpose is not always clear. There are very few errors in sentence structure by the sentences are not varied. The word choice is generally correct, but the range of words is limited, and in some cases the wording is abstract and imprecise. Source material included is relevant but not carefully integrated. This essay also has errors in syntax, spelling and punctuation. More importantly, it lacks an original, significant purpose or point of view.
• D: Meets only the minimum requirements of college writing. The writer approaches the topic in a conventional and predictable manner. The essay lacks imagination and insight. Though it still contains a thesis, it is poorly or mechanically developed. It also lacks adequate support of generalizations. Source materials are cited improperly, are not directly relevant, and/or overwhelm the essay. Some principle of organization is apparent but it is not successful followed. The diction is often imprecise and monotonous. The writer uses vague, ordinary words and relies on clichés and jargon. The essay contains sentence fragments, run-on sentences, and numerous basic errors in syntax, agreement, reference, spelling, and punctuation.