ENG 2450E: Modern Drama (Research Workshop III: The Research Paper)

ENG 2450E: Modern Drama

RESEARCH WORKSHOP:The Research Paper

Melanie Mills, Research & Instructional Services Librarian The D.B. Weldon Library

10 February 2011

Research Workshop Series

Agenda Introductory Workshop

October 21st, 2010 – 1 hour Annotated Bibliography Workshop

November 11th, 2010 – 2 hours Research Paper Workshop (Preparing for DRAFT 1)

February 10th, 2011 – 1 hour Peer-Review Workshop (Preparing for DRAFT 2)

March 10th, 2011 – 2 hours

ENG 2450E: Modern Drama (2010-11) Melanie Mills, The D.B. Weldon Library

Research Workshop Series

Course Objectives:[…] understand and communicate […] the relationships

among theory, history, text and performance […];craft strong research questions that invite investigation

and debate […];distinguish among poor, fair, good, and excellent research

materials;prepare annotated bibliographies, including evaluative

information about the strength and weakness of each source; and

research and prepare papers […] engaging at some depth with secondary source materials.


The Research Paper

Today’s Agenda Preliminary Research

Annotated Bibliography Assignment, Feedback From Research to Writing

From research, to reading, to critical analysis, to writing… Preparing a Successful First Draft

More research, more writing, more revising!?! Yes. Tips and tricks to help you succeed


The Research Process

ENG 2450E: Modern Drama Melanie Mills, The D.B. Weldon Library

Define Research

Topic

ConductPreliminary

Research

Revise Research

Topic

Refine Research

(Re)Define

Research, Writing and Revision


Annotated Bibliography

Research Paper

(Draft 1)

Peer Review Workshop

Research Paper

(Draft 2)

Preliminary Research

Annotated Bibliography, Your Thoughts?

What went well? Or, what didn’t?

Did anything surprise you about the process (the research or the writing)?

What would you do differently next time?


Sample Annotation #1

“While reading historical accounts of the period provides hard facts, Agosin’s poetic expression emphasizes the personal impact of the war, giving faces and names to historical statistics. While history is apt to depersonalize, distancing the reader from historical events […], Agosin brings the reader uncomfortably close to the pain and suffering of the Argentinean people, especially women […]”



“This source claims that the biggest distinguishing feature between Expressionist performance and other Modernist genres is how the process of cultural transformation became a part of the body of the actor itself, and therefore the performance. […] this source explains that expressionism in theatre focuse[s] on the body, voices, and actions of actors on stage so the audience [can] ‘read’ the performance as a text with a message, rather than passively observing”.



“The above source is a scholarly journal that outlines the changes that have occurred since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. The article focuses mainly on the aftermath of the attacks and what it means for future audiences. The article asserts that drastic changes have taken place in society since the historic event and in response what has occurred, there needs to be changes made to the way that stories are told to future audiences.”



“[…] this source as a whole is highly useful for a scholarly paper my chosen subject due to the fact that it offers a wide variety of criticisms on the topic. Each criticism offers a fresh and different opinion, allowing for obtaining for broad research.”


Annotated Bibliography, Feedback Strengths

good diversity / variety of sources cited creative use of materials (not just scholarship)

Weaknesses citations (especially in-text), omitted or incorrect analyses lacking in detail, often too vague imbalance or bias in annotations (heavy on praise,

light on critique)


From Research to Writing

Moving from research, to reading, to critical analysis, to writing…


Preparing a Successful First Draft


Research Paper Original Research = Starring Role

your ideas should take ‘centre stage’ Secondary Literature = Supporting Role

think of this as the supporting cast References = Public Relations / Technical Mgt.

placing your research within the broader context citing others’ work to acknowledge its influence on yours think of these like you would credits in a Playbill

Moving to the First Draft


1) Critical reading of Annotated Bibliography carefully read comments, questions, suggestions from

Professor Solga and André – look for hints! decide what to keep, what to toss!

2) Trend Spotting review bibliographies from key secondary sources

(those sources you decided to ‘keep’) look for prominent scholars, journals or publishers

3) Additional Research ENG 2050E Course Page

https://www.lib.uwo.ca/programs/english/eng2450emoderndrama.html

The D.B. Weldon Library


Research Help E-mail, Chat, In-Person (www.lib.uwo.ca/weldon/)

http://www.lib.uwo.ca/weldon/researchhelp.html

Melanie’s Office Hours


Drop-in help (no appointment necessary)!

Wednesdays University College, Room 171 (2 – 4 PM)

Thank you!


Next time…

Peer-Review Workshop March 10th, 2011 – 2 hours, Hands-On

Education

ENG 2450E: Modern Drama (Research Workshop III: The Research Paper)