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Key Components of an Inquiry Paper

These are the four main sections that typically appear in a research
paper. Research writing looks different depending on the field, but
some variation of these sections is common. Keep in mind that
these sections do not mean that you are only writing 4 paragraphs:
sections include multiple paragraphs depending on what needs to be
explored/addressed.
Introduction: (HINT: Add to/revise your proposal from A1)
Broadly introduces the overall topic
Provides background information on the topic
Explains reason for research and further study
Notes potential biases on the part of the writer
Provides the purpose and focus for the rest of the paper
Often the last piece written
Literature Review: (HINT: Add to/revise this section from A1)
Purpose is to describe past important research
Demonstrate a connection between past research and the inquiry
that you are developing
Include a combination of past literature and the new information
that you are adding to the conversation
Use credible sources such as peer-reviewed journals, public radio
segments, &TED Talk presentations
Parenthetical or footnoted citations should be throughout this
section depending on the citation style you are using
Entering the Conversation: (Choose ONE Option)
Fill in the gaps in the research with your perspective
Consider developing a solution to the issue you are
exploring
Consider developing a study to find out something new (you
dont actually have to conduct the study)
Develop a new approach to the topic you are exploring
Consider developing a game, lesson plan, interactive
presentation, or TED Talk about the topic you have researched
Conclusion/So What?
Discuss the results and implications of your research
Review your original topic of inquiry/research, and
explain what answers/conclusions you developed
Discuss how your work within the project relates
to previous research (referring to pieces from your
literature review)
Describe areas for potential research beyond your work
References/Works Cited (HINT: Add to/revise this
section from A1)
List of sources you consulted, summarized, and/or
quoted
Follow the guidelines of APA, MLA, Chicago, IEEE as
appropriate for formatting

A. Walden

Assignment Two:
Secondary Research & Inquiry
Unlike the first assignment, assignment
two WILL look more like a traditional
paper. What it will not do, however, is
simply summarize a number of sources;
YOU will be adding to the conversation.
Keep in mind the purpose of research and
inquiry is to push things forward and to
learn something new.

FINALLY, u nlike previous research

papers, you are NOT spending most of your
time summarizing what other people have
said.
Instead, you are entering the
conversation with other sources to explore a
topic on your observed figured world or a
related topic to your figured world.

USE THESE SECTION HEADERS & PROMPTS

TO HELP YOU WRITE YOUR PAPER

Parenthetically cite or
footnote all sources you
consult, summarize, or
quote, throughout the
body of the paper

Page !2 of 3!

A. Walden

With your reputable sources, you are required to:

Formatting Concerns

DUE DATES
Assignments are ALWAYS
due prior to 11PM on
Saturdays.
1. Draft for Peer Workshop
(10/22)
2. Draft w/ Peer
Commentary (10/29)
3. 2nd Revised Draft (11/5)
4. Reflection (11/5)
Due dates also listed on the
Canvas calendar, agendas,
& assignment submission
link.

briefly paraphrasing the main points of the article, and

describing how the article shapes your viewpoint
(limit this to 3-5 sentences per source)
Parenthetically cited or footnoted within the body of
the paper source material that you consult,
summarize, and/or quote must be according to the
citation style you are using
ONLY 2 direct quotations allowed; all other
source material is required to be paraphrased
Organize the summaries of your sources
according to themes; in other words, group 3-4
sources together into a cohesive paragraph
according to a unifying themeor an idea the
sources have in common
Incorporates at least 10-12 different
reputable resources on your subject
(limit them to pieces published
from 2000 onward; no sources
prior to 2000 will be allowed)
Include your Assignment One
interviews as two of your
required 10-12 sources

Can I
google
sources???

NOOOOOO!!!!!

1 margins, 12 pt, Times

New Roman Font,
2000-2500 words, DoubleSpaced, Saved and
Uploaded in a Microsoft
Word Document (the word
count does not include the
Works Cited/References
page, titles, etc.)
Use the four section titles
(introduction/background,
literature review, entering
the conversation, and
conclusion/so what) as
section headers to divide
your paper
Section headers should be
formatted according to the
citation style you are using

Summarize the sources in the Literature Review section by

When adding something new, you

should:

Enter the conversation with the sources

Source:
The Undercover
Recruiter

you have consulted; don't just cite

what other people have said
When entering the conversation, you
TO FIND SOURCES:
are either filling in gaps, proposing a
new study to find out more
NPR
information, proposing a course,
TED Talks
game, solution, design, etcthe
UNCC Library Databases
possibilities of contributing something
Google Scholar
new are endless
Explain how your views intersect,
contradict, or complicate what your
sources have to say
Be descriptive and deliberate about
your word choices, and unless otherwise
context appropriate, please follow the guidelines of Standard
Written English

Look closely! Did I mention

You MUST parenthetically cite or footnote (depending on the citation style) all
source material that you consult, summarize, and/or quote within your paper. If
its not yours, YOU MUST CITE the original source.

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Include a works cited reference page with the full publication information.
FAILURE TO CITE BOTH THROUGHOUT THE PAPER & IN A
WORKS CITED PAGE MEANS YOU HAVE PLAGIARIZED! THIS IS
GROUNDS FOR FAILURE OF THE ASSIGNMENT & COURSE.

Page !3 of 3!

A. Walden

Once you have completed the workshop and revisedits time to REFLECT on
your work
Assignment Two Reflection

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The reflection is a separate, letter like, Word Doc that you write
to me after completing your peer workshop and after you have
made revisions to your assignment work. This piece is to help
provide a greater context for me to respond to your work.
What are you particularly proud of in this paper? What would
you rewrite/revise if you had more time? Give explicit textual
examples.
Describe what comments were helpful/not helpful from your
peer responders and explain how you incorporated the feedback
or why you chose not to use some of the feedback. Again, give
explicit textual examples cited from the actual feedback.
Explain how you have gone above and beyond guidelines;
make a case of how you have exceeded the expectations, giving
explicit examples.
What Student Learning Outcomes SLOs (rhetorical
knowledge, critical reading, composing and processes,
knowledge of conventions, and/or critical reflection) did you see
emerge in the second draft of this project? Explain which ones
you see and how these function as examples of rhetorical
knowledge, knowledge of conventions, etcagain use explicit
textual examples. REMEMBER: NOT ALL OF THESE
SLOs MAY BE PRESENT IN THIS PIECE, SO DO NOT
USE THESE AS A LAUNDRY LIST OF QUESTION/
ANSWER.
500 Words, 12pt, Times New Roman Font, single-spaced.
Saved and Uploaded in a Microsoft Word Document.