Research Prospectus
- Building Critical Mass
The first part of building critical mass involves intention — the practice of filtering through large quantities of information from the “collective intelligence” of the web and distilling the good stuff.
This means reading, re-reading, and more reading.
This process is by far the most arduous. You will encounter multiple false-leads, dead-ends — it is all part of the research/writing process.
Part of the frustration is non-linear nature of this process. Think of it as building the haystack before extracting the needle. However, once you reach critical mass, the process (including writing the essay) is mostly downhill.
Another way to look at it: Reaching critical mass means that you will have sufficiently digested the materials you have gathered and are ready to argue your position.
Exercise: complete at least five tables (one for each source).
What is the title of your source? |
Understanding a power of racism words
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Copy and Paste the Abstract of your source. If no abstract is available, summarize in your own words what the source is about. |
Racism used to be a very global and huge problem for people of color. In North, America racism dictated that different races should have their own distinct communities, schools, health care, hospitals, and churches. Our world has always been faced with issues of discrimination. It is one of the most discussed topics in modern life. The detention of discrimination is the denial of opportunity or equal rights for a specific group of people that are different for their religion, skin, color, and gender. It also can be confused by other terms such as prejudice and stereotype. In today’s world people are struggling with this issue. The image of this held in peoples mind regarding certain racial or cultural groups without consideration of whether the images held are true or false. For example, inequality between white and Black Americans persists in almost every aspect of society. There has been progress in recent decades, but wide gaps still rooted in the legacy of slavery, segregation, and discrimination over Black people in society.
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In your own words, what is the author’s thesis (position)? |
An author position about racism words is provide the audience that being discriminated is still a main issue today. It remains the favored term with the tongues of many after food. Today a worldwide has been configured to see racial differences and be blind to human closeness. A word “Negro” can be used in different purposes. When children of a certain ethnic group grow up, they often hear phrases or words that are used often by that specific group, and they develop a definition of that word or phrase.
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In your own words, what are the subclaims made by the author? In other words, how does the author substantiate or defend their position? |
He qualifies his position by proving some arguments towards “negro” meaning in society and how it stands for. He brings some authors thought such Naiomi or Gloria. Both authors signified how the African American people during her time chose not to be offended by the word ‘nigger,’ but turned around and made something positive out of it. Her essay also relates to me because I understand that different words have different meanings. “I didn’t hear it, until it was said by a small pair of lips that had already learned it could be a way to humiliate me” (Naylor, 512).
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Key quotes: list and cite (page ref.) at least three quotes from the source that you think may be useful for your essay. |
Wikimedia Foundation. (2023, December 5). The negro motorist green book. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Negro_Motorist_Green_Book Ipl.org. “Gloria Naylors Mommy, What Does Nigger Mean?” Essays, Research Papers, Term Papers, February 19, 2021. https://www.ipl.org/essay/Gloria-Naylors-Mommy-What-Does-Nigger-Mean-PJ5CJM8DUYV. Rice, Andrew, Margaret Hartmann, Chas Danner and Benjamin Hart, Kevin T. Dugan, Ed Kilgore, Nia Prater, Shawn McCreesh, et al. “The Black Conversation around Larry Wilmore’s ‘nigga’ Remark Was Really about Something Much Bigger.” Intelligencer, May 7, 2016. https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2016/05/understanding-the-wilmore-nigga-conversation.html. As a biologist, Susan Gooden says about racial equity, [a]s experience shows, racism remains an insidious problem in our society, with deep social, political, and institutional roots. Diversity programs certainly cannot ameliorate the pervasive plight of racism in our society, but they can help make the workplace a less hostile, more accommodating, and healthier setting for all its members. But institutions need to be more forthright in addressing race(n.p)
As the writer, George Schuyler said in 1930, “all Negroes who can do so purchase an automobile as soon as possible in order to be free of discomfort, discrimination, segregation, and insult”. [1].
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What key sources does the author rely upon? List at least three. (Useful for further research) |
He relies upon on research articles, primary and secondary Sources. He discusses and analyzes, rework information from primary sources. In researching a paper about freedom of being discriminated some articles taks about legal cases that involved freedom of speech or editorials expressing commentary on racism.
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- Developing your Research Question
By now you’ve settled on a research topic — your topic is sufficiently controversial (rhetorical) — and have commenced initial research (above). Here is when the real work begins.
Developing the research question is just as important as the thesis statement; in fact, you can think of this process as the precursor to developing your thesis, and like the thesis, your research question may be continually fine tuned as you research/learn more about your subject.
What makes a good research question?
In general a good research question will demonstrate that you are clear on the various positions surrounding your research topic and have a focused basis for pursuing the research (the why). Remember rhetoric is about creating value — consider how your essay may be valuable to your intended audience (changing beliefs OR creating action)
The three pillars of a good research question:
Clarity + Focused + Appropriately Complex
Clarity.
- Unclear: Why are social networking sites harmful?
- Clear: How are online users experiencing or addressing privacy issues on social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook?
Focused
- Unfocused: What is the effect on the environment from global warming?
- Focused: How is glacial melting affecting penguins in Antarctica?Concise:
Appropriately complex
- Too simple: How are doctors addressing diabetes in the U.S.?
- Appropriately complex: What are common traits of those suffering from diabetes in America, and how can these commonalities be used to aid the medical community in prevention of the disease?
Your research prospectus is a step-by-step approach to deriving your essay question:
What is your research subject? |
My research subject revolves around the profound impact of discrimination on black people and communities. I delve into the multifaceted consequences of discriminatory practices, exploring their effects on mental health, social dynamics, and overall well-being. The goal is to contribute to a deeper understanding of discrimination’s pervasive influence and to identify potential avenues for fostering inclusivity and combating systemic biases. Espessially, how specific words such as “Nigro” be a factor of being discriminated.
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List the resources you have so far (at least 5): |
“The Black Conversation around Larry Wilmore’s ‘nigga’ Remark Was Really about Something Much Bigger.” Intelligencer, May 7, 2016.
The negro motorist green book. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Negro_Motorist_Green_Book
What Does Nigger Mean?” Essays, Research Papers, Term Papers, February 19, 2021. Cox, K. (2022, August 30). Black Americans have a clear vision for reducing racism, but little hope it will happen. Pew Research Center Race & Ethnicity.
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In your own words, how would you characterize the present controversy of your research area? Another way to look at it: why is this research area important? |
In my racism research, author lies in the persistent and evolving forms of discrimination that continue to shape our societies. My research is crucial in shedding light on these society problems as it addresses and impacts on the contemporary manifestations of racism. It delves into not only overt acts of discrimination but also subtle systemic biases that impact various facets of life. By examining these complexities, my goal is to contribute to broader conversations about equity, social justice, and the urgent need for actionable solutions in our diverse and interconnected world.
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What are the possible outcomes/resolutions? Are outcomes binary (yes/no e.g. should we ban the death penalty) or relative (e.g. how much should the annual state budget be allocated towards education)? |
To solve a discrimination towards Black people we need to multifaceted several efforts. This tissue has been existing since slavery time. Here are some possible outcomes or resolutions to address and reduce discrimination: Improve and develop educational programs to raise awareness of children and high school students about the history and impact of racism.
In addition, start to promote accurate representation of Black individuals’ diversity and inclusion in educational curricula. positive and in the social media.
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(If any) What are the conditions, qualifications, externalities, contingencies that may affect outcome (i.e. is there a legislative bill down the pipeline?) |
Historical legacy of slavery, segregation, and systemic racism that may contribute to ongoing discrimination and events might still shape current social structures and attitudes.
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What is your preferred outcome? (Your position) |
The preferred outcome regarding discrimination against Black people is to eliminate discriminatory practices and policies to make sure that all Black society including children, family and older people have equal opportunities in all aspects of life, including education, employment, and healthcare.
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Why? |
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Who is your intended audience? |
White people and other society who is not feel and treat Black people equally.
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What is your research question? (Try to state this as simply as possible) |
How can people of white color ensure that their studies on racism against Black people are conducted without perpetuating stereotypes or biases, and what methodologies contribute to unbiased research in this area?
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Notes/Things to look into which may improve the overall clarity, focus, complexity of your question |
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