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MUSC 302W: Musicianship VI: Writing Your Paper

This LibGuide was created for Dr. Binder's and Dr. Vilkner's Musicianship VI classes as a resource to help with the research assignment.

Stage 3: Preliminary Thesis Paragraph

Preliminary Thesis Paragraph

Due Tuesday, March 7, 2023 by midnight

(5 points)

At this stage, you will submit a rough draft of your thesis paragraph for the paper.  The paragraph should accomplish the following four things, most likely in this order:

  • Sketch out the essential background for understanding the research question or problem
  • Clearly articulate the research question or problem at hand (even if you don’t actually phrase it in the form of a question)
  • Outline how you are going to explore that question or problem
  • Forecast what you will conclude about the question or problem

Turn this in on Canvas, under "Assignments" (left-hand menu), in MS Word or PDF format, as a discussion board post.

Further instructions can be found in the Instructions document on the homepage.

Stage 4: Revised Thesis Paragraph

Revised thesis paragraph

Due Thursday night March 9, 2023 by 12 midnight

(10 points)

  • Now that you’ve received feedback from other students on the first draft of your thesis paragraph, you will immediately revise those drafts for review by me and receive further feedback.
  • To receive full credit for this stage of the project, you must show significant improvement on the original draft of your paragraph. 

Turn this in on Canvas, under "Assignments" (left-hand menu), in MS Word or PDF format.

Further instructions can be found in the Instructions document on the homepage.

Stage 5: Outline of Paper

Outline of Paper

Due Thursday night, March 23, 2023 by midnight

(10 points)

At this stage, you will submit a document with the following items, in the following order:

  • Revised thesis paragraph
  • Blow-by-blow outline of the body of your paper, explaining the function of each paragraph in developing or supporting your thesis, and making reference to your sources when relevant
  • A revised list of all your sources, cited properly (minimum 5)

Turn this in on Canvas, under "Assignments" (left-hand menu), in MS Word or PDF format.

Further instructions can be found in the Instructions document on the homepage.

Stage 6: Rough Draft of Paper

Rough draft of paper

Due Wednesday night, April 5, 2023 by 12 midnight

(15 points)

At this stage, it's time to convert your outline into a rough draft of the paper.

  • Minimum 2000 words of the total 2500 words

Turn this in on Canvas, under "Assignments" (left-hand menui), in MS Word or PDF format.

Further instructions and the grading rubric can be found in the Instructions document on the homepage.

Stage 7: Final Version of Paper

Final Version of Paper

Due Thursday night, April 20, 2023 by 12 midnight

(200 points)

Your 2500-word paper should have a title, but it need not have a cover page. You should also have a bibliography of all consulted sources at the end of the document. Papers will be graded according to the following scheme:

  • Content and substance of evidence and argument: 115 points
  • Clarity and transparency of writing: 35 points
  • Organization and structure of ideas: 35 points
  • Proofreading (including proper citation of sources): 15 points

Turn this in on Canvas, under "Assignments" (left-hand menui), in MS Word or PDF format.

Further instructions and the grading rubric can be found in the Instructions document on the homepage.

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