READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY:
For your final essay, you will write an analytical research paper on Mindset. This paper is not a summary of what the author and literary critics say but an original analysis on how one should interpret and develop Carol Dweck’s model for growth mindset development.
According to Carol Dweck, how do we acquire a “growth mindset” and why is it important? Expand your research on what Dweck is saying. Include your own thoughts and reflections on different perspectives of growth and fixed mindset. Your goal is to ENGAGE sources and not to simply RESTATE other interpretations.
To support your analysis you may use examples from your own experiences, your observations of others, and any of your reading.
Definition from http://shepherdenglish.pbworks.com/f/Research-Analytical.pdf:
“An analytical paper makes meaning of a particular event (a social phenomenon, historical happening, or scientific experiment) or artifact (the object or subject under study such as a written text, archeological object, or work of art). Since the goal of an analytical paper is to offer a clearer understanding of the meaning of an object or event, it focuses on complete, rich description of the object or event, moving beyond summary. This description may come from close observation, careful interviewing techniques and/or careful research. The paper usually has a single conclusion developed and supported by logical analysis.”
It must be FIVE complete pages long and typed. You are required to incorporate three quotations throughout your composition and use six outside sources. The quotations should not be longer than two sentences.
This essay must follow MLA conventions and be 12’ font, double spaced, Times Roman. For MLA formatting, please visit the class website and review the MLA PowerPoint http://cordovla.weebly.com/handouts-and-more.html or the “MLA” link.
Finally, incorporate a strong thesis and make sure to develop your paragraphs fully and to include effective transitions. Points are automatically deducted if you do not include an interpretation and new insight in your thesis. When revising your essay, focus on analysis, interpretations, evidence, clarifications to your points, clarity, unity, precision, conciseness, organization, and grammar as discussed in class.
Please READ the following:
Writing_an_Analytical_Research_Paper[1].ppt
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Sample outline:
Section 1:
Introduce the book very briefly, explain topic, provide new insight in the thesis
Section 2:General info from past to future
Discuss background on growth and fixed mindset; set the context for the reader
Section 3:
Discuss research methods: surveys, interviews, charts, etc
Section 4: Specifics/making heavy and detailed analysis and insight
Discuss research findings: talk about the growth mindset model, further research, your new insights.
Interpret your findings: interesting facts, evidence
Section 5:
Conclusions: provide a message regarding growth or fixed mindset. How do we create a growth state of mind?
For more research details, website to visit: http://writing2.richmond.edu/writing/wweb/english/example1.html
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Thesis formula:
Interpretation + New Insight = THESIS
Keys:
be original
have a sophisticated interpretation that is very specific showing me that you know Mindset
provide a new insight that is insightful and eloquent.
Essays must be at least 5 full pages in length, not counting Works Cited page.
MLA Format
Source information correctly cited as in-text citations in your essay
Sources properly formatted in a Works Cited page that is not counted as part of the minimum page count.
✔️Thesis statement is strong, clear, specific, and provides focus for the essay. ✔️Thesis statement is not a list. ✔️Thesis statement is not an announcement. ✔️Thesis statement is indicated by red font or underline.
✔️Sources are recent within the past 6 months, college-level, appropriate and relevant. ✔️Information included from sources features events or situations that occurred within the previous 6 months. ✔️Source information is smoothly integrated into the essay with proper MLA in-text citation format including correct parenthetical citation information.
✔️Font is Arial size 12. ✔️Correct identifying information is included on the first page of the essay. ✔️Title is properly formatted in plain text: ✔️Not bold. ✔️Not underlined. ✔️Not a different sized font. ✔️Not italicized. ✔️Page numbers have been inserted correctly. ✔️Proper header is present on each page. ✔️Paper is evenly double-spaced throughout. ✔️First line of each paragraph is indented. ✔️Margins are 1″ all around. ✔️Works Cited is cross-referenced with in-text citations so that every citation in the essay begins with a name or word that is the first word in the Works Cited list, and every entry in the Works Cited is referenced in essay. ✔️Works Cited is properly formatted. ✔️Essay is at least three full pages long (not counting quoted material) and no longer than five full pages (not counting Works Cited page).
✔️Essay is organized into developed paragraphs that support the thesis. ✔️Topic of essay is covered thoroughly. ✔️Transitions are elegant. ✔️Essay features an appropriate ratio of original ideas, examples, quotes, paraphrases and summaries. ✔️Writer’s voice is correct for the task at hand, 3rd person, authoritative. ✔️Writer maintains formal voice. ✔️Writer’s awareness of audience limits over-explanation and reliance on common knowledge.
✔️Essay is on-topic and topic is covered thoroughly. ✔️Each aspect of the essay prompt is addressed. ✔️Examples are specific and vivid. ✔️Essay does not include history or background and focuses instead on events occurring within the previous 6 months. ✔️Clear evidence that the essay has been edited and proofread and is not a rough draft. I is consistently capitalized. ✔️Punctuation is properly executed.[☑️When required: Assigned course texts are skillfully integrated into the essay as support for analysis.]
✔️Student “shows” argument points through examples and source information rather than just “telling” in an unsubstantiated narrative. ✔️There is a meaningful title. ✔️Information is written in declarative statements with no questions. ✔️Words and phrases to be avoided have been avoided. ✔️No use of you, your, our, us, I, we. ✔️Paper is free of common grammar and punctuation errors.
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