essay

Researchers do not write off the top of their heads. In fact, obscure subjects inspire the best research writers, and there are many discoverieswaiting to be found in the dark cornersof library basements. Many researchers travel long distances (sometimes internationally) to sit in research librariesand pour over original documents; this is called primary research. The purpose of this kind ofresearch is to find something new and original to share with the world. Once writers findthat original idea, they publish their work in a reliable publication; the resulting paper is called secondary research. In this assignment, you will do bothprimary research and secondary research. Some of you might actually walk into an archive someday(I hope you do!), butthis assignment challenges you to dig into digital archivesinstead.Your taskis to find two archival artifactsof some kind (a document, image, video, interview, etc.) that inspire,inform, and helpyou choose atopic. For example, you might find a digital copy of an original letter from one influential figure to another. You might find a copy of a receipt or a note to someone important for your topic. Using these artifacts, you will begin to create a context from which to explore a topic andmake an argument. In other words, you are required to find artifactsthat most people do not know exist and presenttheminyour project. From there, you will use the artifactsfrom your research to drawyour reader into your topic and tobe persuaded by yourargument.For context, be sure to find at least one newspaper article from the time period of your artifacts. (We have access to old newspapers like theNew York Last Name 2Times through the library website.) You will use at least eightsources from the library databases for this paper (four of which will be peer-reviewed academic journalsor books). The project must be at least 8pages long(2400 words),and it must be uploaded to Canvasby the designated day at 11:59 p.m.(see Course Calendar).Please ask me if you are confused…I am more than happy to help!Tip:DO NOT start with a topic.Instead, dig into a digital archive and findartifacts that areinteresting to you. Research that artifact until you find a topic worth arguing about; in other words, let the archive guide you to a topic! Do not try to think of one off the top of your head.NOTE: finding obscure artifacts probably won’t direct you towards these topics. Even so, the following topics are off-limits:Gay Marriage, Capital Punishment, Marijuana, Abortion, Global Warming, the Media, Body Image, Euthanasia, Gun Control, Uniforms, Cell Phones & Texting, Drinking Age, Steroids, Bullying.