Purpose: The purpose of this assignment is to foster ongoing development of practical knowledge as well as research and writing skills in the discipline of Indigenous Studies.
The thesis, road map, positionality and sources assignment completed earlier is a component of this final essay. Using feedback from the TAs this portion of your essay should be close to completion well in advance of the essay due date to help guide you in completing this assignment.
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Description: This is a research paper. There is one mandatory assigned article for the topic. This assignment is NOT a critical review, so the mandatory article should not be the PRIMARY focus of your paper, nor should it be introduced separately in your introduction. The article should be used in the same manner as the other sources you obtain in your research. HINT: pretend you found the required article on your own as part of your research for this paper. You should not rely excessively on the required source, nor should you use it too lightly – it would be a good idea to expect to cite it at least 3 or 4 times in your paper
Academic Requirements: This assignment requires you to write a formal academic essay with a well-developed argumentative thesis statement and a body of logical arguments (main points) to support it. Your body of logical arguments will be outlined in the form of a “Road Map”. This portion of your paper should already be completed, although you might have to make some adjustments to your initial wording or thoughts. This is a ‘persuasive’ essay, which means your thesis argument needs to present a ‘persuasive’ position (not a statement of fact or observation). To help ensure the development of a persuasive perspective you may find it helpful (it is not mandatory) to begin your thesis statement with “This essay argues…..”. A formal conclusion, which restates your argument and sums up the main points made in your paper, is also required. This is a formal essay which requires you to avoid direct reference to yourself (or in second person as ‘you’ EXCEPT in your positionality statement. As with all formal essays, avoid the use of contractions and colloquial (informal) language.
A minimum of six sources must be used (the mandatory article is included in these 6). These should all be peer-reviewed journal articles (academic journals); however, if you can find a relevant book source, you may include it as one of those 6 (or as an additional source).
NOTE: Wikipedia, dictionary sources or news articles/magazines will NOT count as an official source and should NOT be used. Find academic sources. At least two sources must have been published in 2016 or after.
Government publications can be used for statistics but should otherwise be avoided.
Additional sources may be used but remember to use any “news” types of sources (MacLean’s, Windspeaker etc.) as supplementary material only – they should not be relied upon for support of your key points and if possible, should be avoided (You can usually find academic sources stating the same information). **Do not include any type of encyclopedia.
To do well on this essay, your discussion should be an analysis of the research you have gathered, not simply a description or recounting of the sources. If your essay is primarily a summary of the research you undertake with little to no analysis, a grade of 60-68% is normally achieved, if all other portions of the assignment are completed correctly.
Be prepared to paraphrase, cite or quote your researched materials to support your analysis. Remember to reference any works that you borrow ideas or quotes from. Expect to cite your sources liberally. It is far better to cite too often than to inadvertently plagiarize.
Formatting Requirements: This assignment 2000-2500 words double-spaced in standard 12-size font, Times Roman only, with “Normal” margins of 1” on all sides. Avoid any extra spacing between paragraphs. Very important: length requirement does NOT include cover page, bibliography or footnote spacing, etc., use the word count function in MS Word and check the box to exclude footnotes.
You MUST use the CHICAGO MANUAL OF STYLE (CMS), NOTES/BIBLIOGRAPHY format. (Author/Date is not allowed). Follow all CMS guidelines referring to font, page spacing, proper quotations and bibliography, footnotes, etc.
NO headings are allowed, I encourage you to AVOID them. Using headings means that your paragraph structure is not strong, and so you are relying on other methods to present new ideas. I also encourage you to use footnotes, not endnotes. Using footnotes allows you to evaluate if you are adequately citing and supporting your research. In general, no less than 3-7 footnotes per page are required. In general, if your footnotes are following your sources materials in order, you are summarizing rather than analyzing and this is problematic in this type of essay.
EXAMPLE: If your footnotes look like the example below, each page in succession, then you might be summarizing instead of analyzing. This is why each of your arguments match or follow the arguments that the author you are citing.
- Padmanabha, Swapna, “How to successfully cite an argumentative essay” Journal of Writing in Academia, 24, no. 7 (June 2018): 212.
- Padmanabha, Successfully cite, 213.
- Padmanabha, Successfully cite, 214.
- Padmanabha, Successfully cite, 215.
ESSAY TOPICS:
Note: The assigned articles for the Research Paper are presented in Bibliography format of Chicago style as examples for you.
The essay choice has a sample research question to guide you and help get you started. For all the essays you are encouraged to look at the issues from a strength-based perspective. This means, do not focus on the horror or injustice of the issue, but look at how Indigenous peoples are pushing for change, or how Indigenous knowledge, Indigenous ways of knowing, and Indigenous input is included, or bettering outcomes. Use the success and findings of Indigenous actions to guide you in finding articles and investigating the issues.
Note: The assigned articles for the Research Paper are presented in Bibliography format of Chicago Manual of Style as examples for you.
Each essay choice has a sample research question to guide you and help get you started. In your essays, apply a strength-based approach by highlighting the positive qualities and capabilities of individuals or communities, with a focus on how Indigenous peoples drive positive change. Avoid deficit-based perspectives, and instead, emphasize the strength and resilience of Indigenous people and communities to guide your exploration. You are encouraged to incorporate Indigenous knowledge and ways of knowing for a more powerful analysis.
Essay Choice: Indigenous Child Welfare
Sample Research Question: Given that in the wake of colonization, Indigenous families and communities have experienced the erosion of their authority over their children, what is the emerging interrelationship between Indigenous child welfare and Indigenous self-determination in Canada?
Mandatory Article: Caldwell, Johanna, and Vandna Sinha. “(Re) Conceptualizing Neglect: Considering the Overrepresentation of Indigenous Children in Child Welfare Systems in Canada.” Child Indicators Research 13, no. 2 (2020): 481–512. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12187-019-09676-w.
An electronic version of The Chicago Manual of Style is available online through the USask library website.
Brief Chicago Manual Guide https://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide/citation-guide-1.htmlLinks to an external site.Links to an external site.
Chicago Overview https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/chicago_manual_17th_edition/cmos_formattin Links to an external site.Links to an external site. g_and_style_guide/general_format.htmlLinks to an external site.Links to an external site.
Specific citation examples for Journal articles (periodicals): https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/chicago_manual_17th_edition/cmos_formattin Links to an external site.Links to an external site. g_and_style_guide/periodicals.htmlLinks to an external site.Links to an external site.
Sample Paper using Chicago Style (with explanatory notes provided) https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/chicago_manual_17th_edition/cmos_formattin Links to an external site.Links to an external site. g_and_style_guide/cmos_nb_sample_paper.htmlLinks to an external site.Links to an external site.
All assignments must be submitted as a Single Document in Microsoft Word format only.
A Grading RUBRIC is provided for this assignment. Please refer to this rubric to ensure you are aware of all the requirements and how grades are being allocated. The rubric is available by clicking on the RESEARCH PAPER Assignment.
Rubric
Research Essay Rubric
| Research Essay Rubric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Criteria | Ratings | Pts |
| This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeThesis | 15 to >10.0 ptsExcellentThesis is an argument with Student position clearly stated.10 to >5.0 ptsSatisfactory-GoodThesis is a statement only or thesis is an argument without student position.5 to >0 ptsNeeds WorkThesis is unclear | 15 pts |
| This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePositionalityStudent Positionality | 5 to >4.0 ptsExcellentStudent has included a positionality statement that reflects their position with respect to the researched material.4 to >2.0 ptsSatisfactory-GoodStudent has included a positionality statement, but the connection to the research question or thesis is unclear.2 to >0 ptsNeeds WorkStudent has not included a positionality statement, or it is unclear. | 5 pts |
| This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeRoad Map | 5 to >4.0 ptsExcellentRoad map is clear and has been followed.4 to >2.0 ptsSatisfactory-GoodRoad map has been included but is overly general or has not been followed.2 to >0 ptsNeeds WorkRoad map is missing or unclear. | 5 pts |
| This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeLanguage | 5 to >4.0 ptsExcellentLanguage is of an academic quality.4 to >2.0 ptsSatisfactory-GoodSome colloquialism, slang, contractions or jargon is used.2 to >0 ptsNeeds WorkLanguage contains contractions, slang, colloquialisms, jargon and/or is not scholarly in nature. | 5 pts |
| This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeGrammarGrammar, spelling, proofreading (exclusive of citation formatting) | 5 to >4.0 ptsExcellentPaper is well-written.4 to >2.0 ptsSatisfactory-GoodPaper contains some grammar and/or spelling mistakes.2 to >0 ptsNeeds WorkPaper has not been proofread. | 5 pts |
| This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeSourcesType of sources used | 5 to >4.0 ptsExcellentStudent exceeds the required number of academic sources and has effectively supplemented these with other academic/scholarly sources for data/statistics, examples, etc.4 to >2.0 ptsSatisfactory-GoodStudent meets the required number of sources.2 to >0 ptsNeeds WorkStudent has not met the required number of sources or includes non-academic sources to make the required count. | 5 pts |
| This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeUse of SourcesHow sources are used to support arguments and demonstrate analysis. | 10 to >7.0 ptsExcellentSources have been effectively used to support student arguments and develop analyses.7 to >3.0 ptsSatisfactory-GoodSources could be used more judiciously and/or sources are used inappropriately (i.e. overuse of quotations versus paraphrasing, overly long quotations, quotations used when not necessary).3 to >0 ptsNeeds WorkPoor or no use of sources are demonstrated (missing footnotes, student opinion rather than researched findings, unsubstantiated claims). | 10 pts |
| This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeCMSUse of Chicago Manual of Style | 10 to >7.0 ptsExcellentStudent has used the Chicago Manual of Style with minimal or no errors.7 to >3.0 ptsSatisfactory-GoodStudent has attempted CMS but has several errors.3 to >0 ptsNeeds WorkStudent has not followed the Chicago Manual of Style or has used another citation guide. | 10 pts |
| This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeOrganizationHow the paper is organized including transitions, logic, readability, and following the road map. | 5 to >4.0 ptsExcellentPaper follows the road map and transitions are smooth.4 to >2.0 ptsSatisfactory-GoodPaper follows the road map but transitions between thoughts/paragraphs must be improved.2 to >0 ptsNeeds WorkPaper does not follow the road map or there is no road map and/or transitions between paragraphs needs work. | 5 pts |
| This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeKey argumentsHow the student has used the materials to demonstrate critical thinking and analyses. | 30 to >20.0 ptsExcellentContent reflects analysis, critical thinking and understanding/comprehension of the researched materials.20 to >10.0 ptsSatisfactory-GoodThe material contains some analysis and demonstrates understanding of the researched materials.10 to >0 ptsNeeds WorkThe majority of the information contained is a summary or does not demonstrate comprehension of researched materials. | 30 pts |
| This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeResearch Question | 5 to >3.0 ptsExcellentStudent’s research question is clear and directly linked to the student thesis argument.3 to >1.0 ptsSatisfactory-GoodStudent’s research question is articulated clearly but ties to the thesis are unclear.1 to >0 ptsNeeds WorkStudent’s research question is unclear or missing. | 5 pts |
| Total Points: 100 | ||