ELI 084 Academic Writing

In this paper, you will present and analyze the results of your survey of American students and compare those results with what is true in your home country. First, think about your results and look for what is interesting and/or important. Look for patterns of responses from different groups of respondents. It is not necessary to present ALL the results of your survey; select what you think is significant or interesting, and be sure to explain WHY those results are significant or interesting. What are the implications of the data? You will need to organize and analyze the data and explain in detail how and why your survey results are different from (or the same as) what you believe to be true in your country.

Your essay must include at least one paraphrase from the article related to your topic. Consider choosing a general idea or statistic from the article to use as background information in your introduction. You must use at least two direct quotes (correctly punctuated) from your respondents. However, avoid overusing direct quotations. Whenever possible, summarize student responses.

In terms of structure, follow the format for an essay. The introduction should move from general to specific information and include background information (why the topic is interesting or important to you and/or your readers), a short description of how you carried out the survey, and a thesis explaining what the reader will find in the paper. You may also want to begin with an attention getter as introduced on p. 61 of our text.

The body of your paper should present the results of your survey, analysis of the results, and comparison of the situation in the US with that of your home country. There are many possible organization formats, but here are two basic formats that you may want to consider for the body of your essay:

A. first survey result and analysis
comparison with your country
B. second survey result and analysis
comparison with your country
C. third survey result and analysis
comparison with your country……..

OR

A. first survey result and analysis
second survey result and…
third survey result…….
B. comparison with your country……..

The conclusion should sum up the main points you have covered and offer a recommendation, overview, or generalization. The conclusion should also briefly state the limitations or weakness of your research.

Attach a copy of your survey questions to the end of the paper.

Length: Minimum 950 words (not including the copy of your survey questions).

Due Dates:
Tuesday, October 30: Outline and introduction due
Thursday, Nov. 1: First draft due (bring two copies to class for peer feedback).
Thursday, Nov. 8: Final draft due