WHAT IS AN ACADEMIC INQUIRY ESSAY?

WHAT IS AN ACADEMIC INQUIRY ESSAY?
Academic Essays are often “thesis-driven” which simply means that a Thesis Statement is presented early in the writing, and serves as the main idea which guides and unifies the essay. A few weeks ago you used a thesis-driven article or essay as the subject of your Response Essay
An Academic Inquiry Essay is a little different; instead of a thesis, the statement which guides your essay will be your Controlling Question. MY CONTROLLING QUESTION IS (WHAT EFFECT DOES SOCCER HAVE ON RACISM)Your Controlling Question will serve the same function as a Thesis Statement: it is presented early in the essay, it tells the reader what to expect from the rest of the essay, and will be supported by the essay itself.
Based on the research you have conducted you may want to adjust or revise your Controlling Question from the original question you proposed at the beginning of the semester. That’s perfectly fine, and it’s a natural part of the process. Your revision, however, should still be rooted in the same topic, and should be related to the original question. You will not be allowed to select a completely new topic and controlling question.
CONTENT
You began this semester with a controlling question that guided your research through a specific topic. This essay is the culmination of that research. Through this essay, you will share with your audience the different ways you have answered your controlling question.
One of the best things about this project is that it doesn’t really matter whether or not you were able to completely answer your controlling question. It only matters that you made a strong attempt through diligent research methods. Your essay will articulate the various methods you used, the answers you discovered, and the informed conclusions you drew.
As you compose your essay, focus on the following elements that we have discussed over the course of this semester:
What types of sources did you use to answer your controlling question?
Are the sources you used credible and informative? Were they vetted, or peer-reviewed? To they provide depth about a topic, or are they somewhat shallow and general?
How well do you engage your sources?
You will be expected to do much more than just report on the different facts you’ve uncovered. I want to see you engage your critical thinking skills through synthesis of information. Show me how you interpret information, how you analyze different ideas and theories, and how you apply information in different ways.
How well do you incorporate outside sources through paraphrasing and selective use of quoted materials?
Incorporating outside sources into your own writing shows a great deal of critical reading, critical writing, and critical thinking.
How well do you contextualize outside sources?
Contextualizing outside sources shows an awareness of audience in the discourse of your essay. Use attributions to show credibility and relevance of sources, and never, ever quote bomb your readers.
How well do you employ a responsible method of citation?
Use proper citations to indicate the owners of intellectual property you are using for your assignment.
How well did you organize your essay?
In the next few weeks we’ll discuss different ways that you can structure such an essay. There are many different ways this can be accomplished, as long as it’s clear, unified, and cohesive.
RESEARCH CRITERIA
A fundamental requirement of this essay is that you incorporate your research in a significant and meaningful way. The research criteria are as follows:
You are required to use a minimum of 6 different sources from your Annotated Bibliography. Remember that one of the Annotated Bibliography criteria stipulated that no sources should be dictionary definition entries, encyclopedic entries (including wikipedia), topic overviews, or fact sheets. That means that I’m expecting at least 6 of your sources for this essay will not fall into those categories. If you use such a source, that’s fine – I just expect you to understand that it will not count as 1 of the 6 required sources.
Two sources must be from academic databases or peer-review journals.
All sources must be properly cited. Do not take this lightly; it will be a significant part of your grade. It is your responsibility to properly document sources and to accomplish that task in all academic essays.
OTHER CRITERIA
Your final essay should reach a minimum of 8 – 10 pages, typed, double-spaced, 12-point font, standard one-inch margins.
Use MLA citation methods to document all sources. MLA documentation requires both parenthetical citations as well as a Works Cited page at the end. Any essay submitted without both parenthetical citations and proper works cited page will receive a failing grade.
Note: Understand that your Annotated Bibliography is not the same thing as a Works Cited Page. For your Works Cited Page I am only expecting the see the sources you used – without annotations.
Rubric
Academic Inquiry Essay
Academic Inquiry Essay
Criteria Ratings Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeHolistic Assessment
5 pts
“A” Paper
The “A” paper has an original, complex, or imaginative thesis, uses literary terminology with a high degree of accuracy and appropriateness, and contains well-organized information and ideas presented in unified and coherent paragraphs with appropriate transitions. The paper analyzes and evaluates ideas and themes within the text and generates original ideas that explore economic, historical, political, and/or cultural issues. The paper synthesizes all source material to apply ideas and create original, insightful analysis that makes distinguished judgments. The prose is fluent and clear with concise diction and varied sentence structure, perhaps containing some especially eloquent or original passages. The essay is virtually free of grammar, spelling, and citation errors.
3 pts
“B” Paper
The “B” paper has a thoughtful and specific thesis, uses appropriate literary terminology, and contains well-organized information and ideas presented in unified and coherent paragraphs with appropriate transitions. The paper analyzes and evaluates ideas and themes within the text and generates original ideas that explore economic, historical, political, and/or cultural issues. The prose is fluent and clear with concise diction and varied sentence structure, perhaps containing some especially eloquent or original passages. While there may be occasional punctuation or spelling errors, the essay is generally free of major grammar and sentence structure errors
2 pts
“C” Paper
The “C” paper adequately meets all assignment requirements. The “C” paper has a thesis appropriate to the assignment, uses appropriate literary terminology, and contains reasonably organized information and ideas. The paper analyzes and evaluates ideas and themes within the text and generates original ideas that explore economic, historical, political, and/or cultural issues. The prose is adequate and may occasionally use awkward phrasing. In addition, the “C” paper includes citations for all source material and while there may be some errors in punctuation, citations, spelling and/or grammar, the errors do not interfere with the author’s ability to communicate ideas.
1 pts
“D” Paper
A “D” paper is below average in content, arrangement, and/or style. The paper fails to adequately meet the requirements, and may show misreading of text or assignments. The thesis may be unclear or missing or may not be logically or adequately supported. Organization may be faulty or difficult to follow. Transitions between and within paragraphs may be missing or ineffective. The “D” paper may show a lack of effort to engage the text seriously, or it will be superficial or lacking in clear thought. The prose is imperfect and may use awkward phrasing. Word choice may be weak, lacking precision and vitality. In addition, the “D” paper may exclude citations for source material, and there may be some errors in punctuation, citations, spelling and/or grammar that interfere with the author’s ability to communicate ideas.
0 pts
“F” Paper
An “F” paper is failing in content, organization, and/or style. The paper may not fulfill the assignment or meet specified requirements. The thesis may be missing, misplaced or unsupported. The unsupported paper may lack specific detail or example. Coherence of the paper may be affected by inadequate organizational structure including lack of unity or transition between ideas. The “F” paper may show a lack of effort to engage the text seriously, or it will be superficial or lacking in clear thought. In addition, the “F” paper may exclude citations for source material, and coherence and fluency may also be affected by inadequate sentence skills and problems with grammar, spelling and punctuation including multiple incomplete or run-on sentences.
5 pts
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Total Points: 5

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