Chapter One - "Rhetorical Inn"
Raid Boss: Odin Adkins (type: Merchant)
Chapter Overview
When you disembark on your first journey, you feel the wave of freedom wash over you. You are in an unfamiliar place with a similar, but different set of objectives to complete. You pull out your journal and review your objectives: Find your identity; Learn about rhetoric; Study new research methods.
You find yourself thinking about identity. Who am I? What is my specialization? What are my personal objectives in the Rhetorical Inn? You remark on how identity can be a frustrating and complicated concept to understand, but you will think it through on this adventure. As you walk through your journey, you start to recall what you know about rhetoric and research. As you approach the Rhetorical Inn you start to think about possible topics of interest for discussion and debate. How can you become more informed on the topic? You wonder...
You have about three and a half weeks to think about these concepts on your journey. Complete as many quests as you can to gather the resources needed to approach your first raid boss, Odin Adkins, and walk away successful.
You find yourself thinking about identity. Who am I? What is my specialization? What are my personal objectives in the Rhetorical Inn? You remark on how identity can be a frustrating and complicated concept to understand, but you will think it through on this adventure. As you walk through your journey, you start to recall what you know about rhetoric and research. As you approach the Rhetorical Inn you start to think about possible topics of interest for discussion and debate. How can you become more informed on the topic? You wonder...
You have about three and a half weeks to think about these concepts on your journey. Complete as many quests as you can to gather the resources needed to approach your first raid boss, Odin Adkins, and walk away successful.
Raid OverviewFor this chapter, you will be working towards the completion of a research proposal on a topic of your choosing. It is important to choose a strong, researchable topic or controversy for you will be researching and writing about it for the rest of the semester. A list of starter topics are provided under the "Quest Items" tab of this site. Think about what interests you the most. What topic/controversy do you care about?
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What do you want to know more about? Why does this topic matter to you and the general public? Remember to run through the stasis approach to help decide on what to write about.
Raid Instruction
After choosing your topic, the fun begins. Like in MMORPG's, before a raid battle, you need to come up with a strategy. If you run into the battle blind, you will not fair so well. The research proposal is essentially a game plan. There are four main components to this raid which are listed below in detail:
1. Research
A research proposal should have some preliminary research--research done before the larger project is written. For this raid, you need to find at least two peer-reviewed sources and two "other" sources to support your topic of interest for a total of four sources. The peer-reviewed sources can be found through different databases and search engines (look below for links). Remember, you can use "Finding Sources" from Everyone's an Author, or the text adventure from class. Do your best with a works cited, but reference Writing in Action for proper formatting.
2. Controversy Map 10/75XP
After you have your research, you want to properly organize it into a mind map which we will call a controversy map for this raid (Reference the maps from class under "Quest Items" for help). Each player must make a map with at least three nodes for issues surrounding their controversy. Then, connect a node for the major player (Author, [Title of Source]) and the major player's affinity to the topic/credentials. Example:
3. Writing the Damn Thing 60/75XP
After you have your research and map completed, it is time to write the damn paper. The paper needs to be at least 1200 words and follow the "Formatting Expectations" listed below. Each player must quote from two references (at least one peer-reviewed) twice per source (four quotes in total). Remember to use in text citations and proper citation techniques from Writing in Action or Purdue OWL. You must also include at least one picture that represents an aspect of your research, whether it be a picture of a major player or defining moment for your controversy. Also, write to address the following criteria:
4. Reflect (different document) 5/75XP
It is always important to reflect on process and strategy. In a separate document, reflect on why this issue matters to you. Why do you want to choose this topic? How does this issue affect you? Make sure this is at least 200 words.
1. Research
A research proposal should have some preliminary research--research done before the larger project is written. For this raid, you need to find at least two peer-reviewed sources and two "other" sources to support your topic of interest for a total of four sources. The peer-reviewed sources can be found through different databases and search engines (look below for links). Remember, you can use "Finding Sources" from Everyone's an Author, or the text adventure from class. Do your best with a works cited, but reference Writing in Action for proper formatting.
2. Controversy Map 10/75XP
After you have your research, you want to properly organize it into a mind map which we will call a controversy map for this raid (Reference the maps from class under "Quest Items" for help). Each player must make a map with at least three nodes for issues surrounding their controversy. Then, connect a node for the major player (Author, [Title of Source]) and the major player's affinity to the topic/credentials. Example:
3. Writing the Damn Thing 60/75XP
After you have your research and map completed, it is time to write the damn paper. The paper needs to be at least 1200 words and follow the "Formatting Expectations" listed below. Each player must quote from two references (at least one peer-reviewed) twice per source (four quotes in total). Remember to use in text citations and proper citation techniques from Writing in Action or Purdue OWL. You must also include at least one picture that represents an aspect of your research, whether it be a picture of a major player or defining moment for your controversy. Also, write to address the following criteria:
- Talk about your Controversy Map: Discuss the three issues of inquiry, who the major players are, and their affinity to the issue or credentials.
- Talk about possible avenues for further research. What type of primary research do you think your issue values? What other databases or books do you intend on looking into? What is your strategy for the larger paper? Do you intend on recruiting a librarian? A writing consultant?
- What possible pitfalls do you anticipate? What issues do you think you will come across in your research? What research anxieties do you have?
4. Reflect (different document) 5/75XP
It is always important to reflect on process and strategy. In a separate document, reflect on why this issue matters to you. Why do you want to choose this topic? How does this issue affect you? Make sure this is at least 200 words.
Research Resources
Cato Institute - Click Here
EMU Library Site - Click Here
Opposing Viewpoints - Click Here
Google Scholar - Click Here
JURN - Click Here
Cato Institute - Click Here
EMU Library Site - Click Here
Opposing Viewpoints - Click Here
Google Scholar - Click Here
JURN - Click Here
Performance Record
Your raid score will be based on the following:
- Development of Topic/Controversy- The player must explore preliminary research both through work nets and controversy mapping.
- Artifacts and Specificity - Identifiable "key players." Explore topic through preliminary stasis theory.
- Defined Research - Have at least two quoted "texts" (2 quotes each) and two other identifiable references. Works cited.
- Development - There is a logical, natural flow and the central idea is well articulated. The writing should keep the attention of the reader without confusion. Strong transitions as to not answer questions.
- Correctness - The writing follows the guidelines of at least 1200 words, 1 inch margins, MLA formatting, font specifications, proper grammar, an image, and respective class requirements.
Class Requirements
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Formatting Expectations |
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Quest Log
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Must be in a folder with your name.
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Important Deadlines |
Practice Run Due: Monday January 25th. (minimum 600 words)
-Minimum 600 words -At least 2 nodes on controversy map Raid and Quest Log Due: Friday January 29th. This should be printed, put in a folder, and brought to class or put in my mailbox by 4:30pm (Should be stamped by secretary) |