7/30/2019 2) Project 3 -- What Do I Do, Where Do I Begin

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Project 3 What Do I Do?! Where Do I Begin?!

I've had some questions on Project 3, so I thought it'd be worth briefly discussing here. Pleasenote that while the following points are listed in a chronological fashion, the process of

researching and writing is rarely this linear. You may find yourself jumping back and fourth

between these steps as needed.**

You need to understand the assignment. I highly recommend you really analyze the

assignment sheet, marking/highlighting areas and making helpful marginal notes.

I will, however, remind you that you can view this project as having two major components

ai) select a discourse community,aii) research that discourse community (collect as much and different data as possible) and

bi) identify an interesting issue within that discourse community (borne from your

observation/data), bii) make and support a claim/argument concerning that issue.

Also, I have obtained 3 samples from an instructor who previously taught this assignment (or at

least an assignment very similar to this one). I would suggest that everyone read at least 2 of

these. They are not perfect, but they will definitely give you a sense of what the project lookslike and, more importantly, ideas on how to approach the project.

**

You need to brainstorm a list of discourse communities that you are either a member of or highly

interested in learning about. Note here that you need to make a LIST, which requires more than

just a single idea. Often times, our first ideas are not our best ideas and fall through.

Once you have a discourse community in mind, you'll want to make sure that you can make afirm and convincing argument that it is a discourse community. To do this, you need to test itusing the authors we've read so far (Swales, Gee, Wardle, Devit et al); that is, would these

authors agree with you? If you cannot complete this step, you probably need to select a new

group or speak with me

**

You need to start collecting as much data as you possibly can on the discourse community

you've selected. The more data you have, the easier your project will be. The assignment sheet,under Data Collection lists 3 methods, and I recommend using all 3 methods.

I will require you to 1) update me on your research during the project and 2) turn in all of yourresearch when submitting the project. In that, keep detailed and organized notes!

**

You need to analyze the data you collected. Analyzing your data will give you the bulk of yourpaper. At the first level, you'll need to understand and discuss how language functions within the

discourse community. BUT! More than just this, you'll need to make an interesting claim about

the discourse community.

7/30/2019 2) Project 3 -- What Do I Do, Where Do I Begin

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Again, the assignment sheet, under Data Analysis, provides you questions to consider. Use

them!**

At some point, you need to start writing the paper. You'll notice the assignment sheet listsspecific dates for specific sections, but you can start writing at any time. In fact, you may find itbeneficial to start writing early so you can work out problems in writing. The magic of writing is

that you can revise as many times as you want.

I cannot repeat enough times that it is absolutely-imperatively-crucial-necessary-required that

you be familiar with the assignment sheet. It will be embarrassingly apparent if you have not

read and consulted the assignment sheet for this project.