WRTG1100 - Research Assignment - 1 WRTG1100 - AA1 Mini-Research Paper Assignment Instructor: Thomas Andrews Due Date: Length: 1500 words. (10% over max) Value: 30% Parameters of the Assignment Students must write a 1500-word paper on one of the research areas explained below. This assignment will be worth 30 percent of your final grade. The research paper should show 1) your ability to analyze information 2) your ability to construct an argument 3) your ability to write clearly and concisely and 4) your ability to locate, evaluate, summarize and document 3 or more scholarly sources and at least 1 non-scholarly source. Cite in either APA or MLA format. Formatting: 12pt Times new roman font. 1-inch margins. Double spaced text. Review syllabus for late policy on assignments. If you go more than ten percent over the word limit, I will stop reading there. Like any assignment, the word limit is set for a reason. If you write 1000 words you are unlikely to have supported your argument as well as you could have. If you write 2000 words, you have done a different assignment than the intended one etc. You will be required to provide full bibliographic references for the articles you will be summarizing in either MLA (or APA) style. A - Science Denial and Conspiracy thinking Take a look at the Brian Cox question/answer panel regarding climate change and CO2 emissions posted on Moodle (instructions for what part to watch are in the video description). Consider the fact that the discussion of climate change as an issue is still believed, by some, to be up in the air. Consider how theories like the “Flat Earth” movement and "Vaccines cause Autism” have emerged and become conversation topics in the past few years/decades. Conspiracy thinking is prevalent in the 2020s. Why is this? Why do people choose to deny or disbelieve science when we know it to be proven, supported, and verified? What is the motivation for this kind of denial? Be sure to focus this general topic on a particular issue or set of issues. For instance, you might look at how different demographics view issues like climate change (young/elderly, educated/uneducated, rural/urban, affluent or not). You may also want to focus on a particular issue regarding your controversial topic and how the public perceives that issue. IMPORTANT: Your paper should NOT simply just go out and explain/prove something that we already know. If you just explain that climate change is happening, or that the earth is not flat for example, you will not meet the assignment requirements. You must establish a clear thesis (persuasive argument), and then support your ideas using both analysis and research. KPU KWANTLEN POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY Faculty of Arts WRTG1100 - Research Assignment - 2 B-Contemporary Body Image Review the Hull et al. article posted on the Moodle page entitled “Form or Function? An Examination of ESPN Magazine's 'Body Issue."" Additionally, take a look at the Rees "Tattooing” article for his discussion of "the body as a site for constructing identity.” Consider to what extent body image is a prevalent issue in contemporary culture. While media representation of body image is a significant factor in perpetuating stereotypes, consider the changes that have occurred with regards to body image in the past few years/decades more generally to construct an argument. You may, then, wish to refine your area of focus onto one of the following areas: male or female body image specifically in the 21st century, body image and self-identification within the LGBTQ community, the relationship between health and body image in the past few decades etc. You must choose an area within the broad general topic of ‘contemporary body image' to explore. Coming up with a topic to explore is the challenging part. You must establish a clear thesis (persuasive argument), and then support your ideas using both analysis and research. Deciding on a Research Topic: This is writing log task #4 You need to let me know what your chosen topic is for this task. This will happen on March 20th and it will just be a brief explanation of what your topic (not your thesis) is and why you chose to explore that topic. If you have any questions about the assignment do not hesitate to email me or see me during my office hours! OUTLINE TASK #2 Value: 5% Good luck :) Requirements: - I need to see a clear indication of your thesis. This must demonstrate that you have developed the topic from the general prompts provided. I need to see what your intended points will be at this stage. I need to see TWO of the additional sources that you may use at this stage. I need to see an indication of the counter arguments to your position.