I-Search Essay Assignment
An I-Search essay may be something you’re unfamiliar with writing, but it will give you a chance to begin your research for your Documented Argument assignment. Remember, your D.A. requires you to make an argument about a controversial issue. Before you begin your I-Search, you will need to come up with a research question; for example, “How has the ASARCO plant in El Paso affected the community?” Once you have developed your research question, you’ll be ready to begin your essay. The I-Search is a 3-part essay that you will incorporate into a website:
1. Your topic: In this first section, you will write about the topic you have chosen. Keep in mind this will be the topic you will write about in your Documented Argument as well. Describe your topic and what argument (or angle) you think you will create; explain what you already know about your topic and what you want to learn about it; and provide at least one research question that will guide your research process as you search for what you want to learn.
2. Your findings: In the second section, you will discuss your research process, i.e., the steps you took to conduct your research. You will also discuss the results of your research. Include information about the answer(s) to your research question as well as what parts of your research question you were unable to find answers to; also explain what new questions arose as a result of your research.
3. Your reflection: In the third and final section, you will reflect on your I-Search paper experience. Be sure to discuss what you learned about conducting research and what additional research you think you will need in order to write your Documented Argument.
Don’t forget: There are all different kinds of sources that will be valuable to your research depending on your chosen topic/issue. Newspaper articles, blogs, journal articles, books, websites, government documents, and personal interviews are just some of the options you have available!
Your I-Search should be as long as it takes you to discuss and explain all three required sections/parts. Although you will be building a website with tabs for each of these sections, a rough estimate of page length would be 1-2 pages for each I-Search section, double-spaced. Please type your I-Search in a reasonable font and font size. You’ll also need to include a Works Cited page for any sources you cite in your essay. In addition, I would like you to include a “Working Bibliography” page (separate from your Works Cited), in which you list all sources you consulted during this paper.
I’ll create a rubric that I’ll use to grade this assignment.