INI204Y1 Assignments

Critical Review or Analysis

The first assignment in INI204Y is a 1,000-word (3-4 double-spaced pages typed in 12 point font) critical review of a book (fiction or non-fiction), article, film, play, television programme, website, or perhaps a musical recording (although such works pose unique analytical challenges). The assignment is due on Monday 6 October 2008 (by the end of class time).

A considerable amount of class time is being devoted to the nature of the critical review and the strategy for composing this form of argument. Several examples of professional and student reviews are posted on the Academic Writing Forum of the website to serve as a composition guide. The review will be evaluated in accordance with the criteria outlined in the Evaluation Checklist posted on the website.

Revised Critical Review or Analysis

The second assignment in INI204Y is a revision of the first assignment: a 1,000-word (3-4 double-spaced pages typed in 12 point font) critical review of a book (fiction or non-fiction), article, film, play, television programme, website, or perhaps a musical recording (although such works pose unique analytical challenges). The assignment is due on Monday 3 November 2008 (by the end of class time).

A considerable amount of class time has been devoted to the nature of the critical review and the strategy for composing this form of argument. Several examples of professional and student reviews are posted on the Academic Writing Forum of the website to serve as a composition guide. Also, much attention is being devoted in class to an assessment of some critical reviews that were submitted in response to the first assignment. The review will be evaluated in accordance with the criteria outlined in the Evaluation Checklist posted on the website.

Research Proposal

In addition to working on the second assignment, attention should be devoted to the topic that will be developed for the research essay, which represents the major written assignment of the course. The research proposal, which outlines in 500-750 words (2-3 double-spaced pages typed in 12 point font) the focus, direction, and relevance of the selected essay topic, in addition to providing a bibliography (on a separate page), is due on Monday 17 November 2008. The strategy for composing a research proposal will be discussed (along with samples) in upcoming classes.

Detailed Formal Outline

The fourth assignment in INI204Y is a detailed formal outline of the research essay on the topic that you have previously proposed and which I have assessed and approved for further development. The assignment is due on Monday 26 January 2009 (by the end of class time).

A considerable amount of class time is being devoted to the purpose, content, and form of a formal outline. Several examples of successful outlines produced by students previously enrolled in INI204Y are posted on the course website Forum to serve as a composition guide. You should note that most of these outlines are 3-4 double-spaced pages in length when typed in a 12-point font. The evaluation of the outline will be based on the informative quality of the content and the consistent adherence to outlining form as illustrated by the samples provided.

Preliminary Introduction

The fifth assignment in INI204Y is the preliminary introduction of the research essay on the topic that you have previously proposed and which I have assessed and approved for further development. The assignment is due on Monday 23 February 2009 (by the end of class time).

A considerable amount of class time is being devoted to the strategy for composing an introduction. Several examples of successful introductions produced by students previously enrolled in INI204Y are posted on the course website Forum to serve as a composition guide. You should note that most of these introductions are 200-300 words in length when typed in a 12-point font. The evaluation of the introduction will be based on its capacity to summarize the context, purpose, direction, and relevance of the essay within the specified length limitations as illustrated by the samples provided.

Research Essay (First Draft)

The sixth assignment in INI204Y is the first draft of the research essay on the topic that you have previously proposed and outlined and which I have accessed and approved for further development. The assignment is officially due on Monday 16 March 2009 (by the end of class time), one week later than originally indicated in the course syllabus.

A considerable amount of class time is being devoted to analyzing the several examples of successful research essays produced by students previously enrolled in INI204Y, which are posted on the course website; Forum to serve as a composition guide. You should note that most of these research essays are 10-12 double-spaced pages in length when typed in a 12-point font. The research essay in both first and final draft stages will be evaluated in accordance with the criteria outlined in the Evaluation Checklist posted on the website.

Essays must be documented and prepared in accordance with the MLA or University of Chicago Press format as demonstrated in the following websites:

http://www.libs.uga.edu/ref/mlastyle.html
http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/online/citex.html
http://web.uvic.ca/wguide/Pages/MasterToc.html#Sources
http://library.osu.edu/sites/guides/chicagogd.html
http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/Style.html
http://www.fsu.edu/library/search/toolkits/chicago.shtml

Research Essay (Final Draft)

The seventh assignment in INI204Y is the final draft of the research essay that is a revision of the first draft previously submitted and accessed. The assignment is officially due on Monday 6 April 2009.