ENC 1102, Unit 2 Homework Assignments

Source Evaluation Blogs

Assignment Purpose
In this unit, you will be learning how to conduct exploratory research related to your final project.
These source evaluation blogs are designed to help you build on your researching techniques.
Upon completing these blogs, you will have learned how to effectively collect and analyze
information that can be applied to your research.
The aim of Week 1 is to help you learn how to locate and collect credible sources. Week 2 will
teach you how to evaluate the rhetorical effectiveness of those sources using strong responses.
The purpose behind Weeks 3 and 4 is to teach you how to analyze your sources, and consider
the multiple perspectives/opposing views that surround your issue, making you aware of any
biases that might exist. In the final week of this unit (Week 5) you will be putting together a video
proposal. Week 5 will have its own assignment sheet for you to reference.
Doing these blog post activities will ultimately teach you how to collect information, while the
video proposal will help you practice communicating that information responsibly.

Goals
· Illustrate awareness of responsible research methods.
· Explore possible genres in which you could communicate your own research.
· Learn and begin to apply responsible research practices.
· Begin gathering sources for your final research project.
· Reflect on the ways in which sources and researchers function in specific networked
environments.
· Gather and evaluate information for your final project as you analyze genres and sources
relevant to your research.

Submission Details
· Each post will have a different word count requirement. Make sure you meet it.
· Each post will be worth a total of 20 points.
· Your own discussion posts will be due on Monday’s before class time.
· Your responses to a fellow classmate will be due on Wednesday’s before class time, when
specified. Not all posts require a response. You must respond to at least one other classmate.

Your Source Evaluation Blogs, Week by Week

Week Assignment Details

Week 1
Locating and Collecting Sources
Let’s practice locating and collecting credible sources. Using the
databases research techniques we practiced in class, locate three
sources that are relevant to your research topic. Two of these must be
from a database. The third source can come from a website, journal,
book, etc.

Reading Necessary for Success with this Assignment​​:​ ​Evaluating

Sources​ for reliability, credibility, angle of vision, and political stance;
understanding the web as a unique rhetorical environment; and
evaluating web sources using the criteria of authority, degree of
advocacy, accuracy, and currency. Refer to this document as you
progress with your source evaluation blogs.

1. What database did you find your two sources on?

2. Explain how it is that you narrowed down your search to locate
these sources.
3. Where did you find your third source?
4. Explain how it is that you found it. How did you determine that this
source was credible?
5. What is your initial impression of the source?

300 words minimum​​.

Your Post Due:​ Monday before class time.

Your Response(s) Due:​ No Response due this week.
Week 2
Practice Strong Responses
Let’s practice writing strong responses to some of the sources you will
be using as part of your video proposal. For at least two of your sources,
compose a summary and strong response. Include the following:

Summary
-An objective assessment of the article, breaking down its main points
-Address the rhetorical strategies (how the author handles the topic; how
they support their argument)
-Consider Audience/ Purpose/ Genre, Angle of Vision, rhetorical
appeals, etc.

Response
-Give your thoughts about the subject matter of the article as well as the
author’s handling of the topic. Speak to the issue of the reading, but also
notice how the author supports their ideas. Is it fair and balanced? What
are the strengths of their argument? What are the weaknesses?

400 words minimum​​.

Your Post Due:​ Monday before class time.

Your Response(s) Due:​ No Response due this week.

Week 3
Interacting with Sources
Let’s practice conducting research as we start gathering sources for your
final projects. Conduct some research on a topic of your choice. For this
week, ​only consider sources that support your topic​. Provide the links
necessary to view your two sources. Summarize each source, then
explain how the information in each might apply to/help answer your
research question. Evaluate the rhetorical effectiveness of these sources
and compose a strong response to each. ​500 words minimum​​.

Reading Necessary for Success in this Assignment​​: ​ ​Understanding

Different sources​. This document provides a rhetorical overview of
primary and secondary sources and the different types of sources you
encounter when conducting research. Note from this document the
rhetorical differences between print and online sources. Also note the
reasons why wikepedia is not a reliable source for academic purposes.
 Your Post Due:​ Monday before class time.
Your Response(s) Due:​ Wednesday before class time.

Week 4
Interacting with Sources, continued
Let’s continue practicing conducting research as we keep gathering
potential sources for your final projects. Conduct some more research on
your topic. For this week, ​only consider sources that oppose your topic​.
Provide the links necessary to view your two sources. Summarize each
source, then explain how the information in each is explaining the
opposing views of your research question. This will help you understand
how to address counterarguments on your claim. Evaluate the rhetorical
effectiveness of these sources and compose a strong response to each.
500 words minimum​​.

Your Post Due:​ Monday before class time.

Your Response(s) Due:​ Wednesday before class time.

Video Proposal Partial Draft Due:​ Monday, 10/14 before class time.
Video Proposal Conference Draft Due:​ Thursday 10/17 or Friday 10/18
by your scheduled conference time

Week 5
Video Proposals are due! Please ​reference the Video Proposal
Assignment Sheet​​ that has been provided to you.
Video Proposals Final Draft Due:​ Friday, 10/27 by 11:59 pm

Scoring Guide/Rubric
*** This general Online Discussion Board Rubric is borrowed from ​Dr. Denise Lowe,​
Instructional Designer at UCF’s Center for Distributed Learning.

https://topr.online.ucf.edu/discussion-rubrics/