For your last paper in this class, you will write a research proposal of about 2000-2500 words (i.e., roughly 7-8 pages).  Your research proposal need not be specifically a scientific research proposal (that is, a proposal for an original scientific experiment that you would like to perform), but I encourage you to consider a scientific research proposal as a possibility (since, as a Biology major, you will probably have to write quite a few research proposals before you graduate from The College of New Jersey).

A research proposal summarizes and critiques the published research on a topic (in a literature review) and then proposes new research that should be done in order to increase our knowledge on the topic in question.

PAPER 4 both is and is not a research paper.  You will have to do a great deal of library research in order to gather, summarize, and critique the literature on your topic, but you will not actually do the research that you propose in the body of your paper.  You will simply propose doing it -- i.e., make an argument for doing it.

Your literature review should briefly summarize and critique 7-10 sources (in the first 1-4 pages of your paper), but your 7-10 sources should not be the first 7-10 sources you find.  They should be the most recent and the most important sources on your topic.  When you review them in your literature review, you should be giving an accurate portrayal of all the important, recent research on your topic.

Keep in mind that your paper will be graded based on my usual grading criteria for papers.

I recommend that all students take advantage of the free tutoring services available through the Tutoring & Academic Enhancement Center.  Click here to go to the Center's homepage for more information.  For online assistance, go to the OWL (Online Writing Lab) at http://owl.department.tcnj.edu/.

Speech 2

Present the argument that you will be making in PAPER 4 to your classmates and your professor in a speech of 5-8 minutes.  This speech must be a “supported presentation,” that is, you must use something more than voice and gesture.  You may use PowerPoint to create slides; you may use the blackboard; you may give everyone a handout that you’ve made.  Any option is acceptable, as long as you use some other resource in your presentation other than just your voice and your hands.  Be creative, but don't sacrifice substance.

Keep in mind that your speech will be graded based on my usual grading criteria for speeches.

Click here to go to the course syllabus.