· Getting the research question right is a major part of constructing a successful research essay. · Some research questions seek to explain puzzles about what is happening in the world; other questions take existing theories and explanations of political phenomena and apply them to new cases. · Outline a clear and concise research question. Try to make the question appropriate to the length of the essay. An important task here is to identify a question that is interesting and that requires explanation. The answer should not already be obvious to you (or the reader!).
Thesis Statement
· Having explained the question you want to ask, your next task is to suggest a possible answer. · The goal here is to offer a clear thesis statement that explains, in a concise fashion, the argument the essay proposes to make. · Don’t worry if you are not 100% sure of your argument yet, but you should offer a working argument that could serve as an answer to your research question.
Essay Plan
· Next, you should set out an essay plan that explains what each part of the essay will do. Try to construct a plan that shows logical progression from one part to the next. · It is important to explain what kinds of information and evidence you will need to provide in each part in order to answer your research question.
So what?
· Any essay (just like the books and articles we read in the course) should pose and seek to answer a question that is important, and to which the answer is neither obvious nor dull. · In your essay proposal, explain briefly why the question you have chosen is interesting and important. You should relate this to the themes of the course and to questions of interest in political science and international relations.
Annotated Bibliography
· Please include a bibliography of at least 5-8 sources you have consulted. These must go beyond the INTP/POLS211 Coursepack. · The sources should comprise a mix of scholarly journal articles, books, and appropriate academic media sources. · The list of sources should be annotated – i.e. note briefly how the source will assist you in answering your research question.
Grammar/Spelling
· As with any piece of written work that you submit, the research essay plan should be written in clear prose. · Make sure that your prose is free of grammatical or spelling errors.
Marking Schedule
Research Question - is there a clear and interesting research question? Is it a question that requires explanation, not merely description? Is the scope of the research question appropriate? (too broad, too narrow?)
Thesis Statement - is there a clear thesis statement that explains concisely the argument the essay proposes to make?
Essay Plan - does the plan outline the proposed structure of the essay? Does it explain what each part of the essay will do? Does it discuss what each part will need to address in order to answer the research question? Does the plan suggest a logical structure for the essay?
So what? - do the research question and essay plan raise issues and possible answers that are relevant to the course? Do they address issues we should be interested in?
Annotated Bibliography - is there an annotated bibliography with the requisite 6-10 number of sources, and a mix of books, journals and appropriate academic media sources? Is it explicit how each source will support the essay’s thesis?
Grammar/Spelling - is the proposal clearly written without grammatical or spelling errors?
· Getting the research question right is a major part of constructing a successful research essay.
· Some research questions seek to explain puzzles about what is happening in the world; other questions take existing theories and explanations of political phenomena and apply them to new cases.
· Outline a clear and concise research question. Try to make the question appropriate to the length of the essay. An important task here is to identify a question that is interesting and that requires explanation. The answer should not already be obvious to you (or the reader!).
· The goal here is to offer a clear thesis statement that explains, in a concise fashion, the argument the essay proposes to make.
· Don’t worry if you are not 100% sure of your argument yet, but you should offer a working argument that could serve as an answer to your research question.
· It is important to explain what kinds of information and evidence you will need to provide in each part in order to answer your research question.
· In your essay proposal, explain briefly why the question you have chosen is interesting and important. You should relate this to the themes of the course and to questions of interest in political science and international relations.
· The sources should comprise a mix of scholarly journal articles, books, and appropriate academic media sources.
· The list of sources should be annotated – i.e. note briefly how the source will assist you in answering your research question.
· Make sure that your prose is free of grammatical or spelling errors.
Marking Schedule