Due:  Tues., October 25th by 12 noon.

1-Each group member should on their own find one reputable source for each of the four “B.E.A.M.” categories that librarian Stephen Francoeur discussed in his presentation.  This means each group member will present four sources to the group.  Remember “B.E.A.M.”= Background, Exhibits, Arguments, & Method sources.

2-Then as a group, discuss all of your sources.  You  should discuss:  the type, content, and purpose of the source and how strong of a source it is.  You should try to assess how strong of a source it is based on the thoroughness and strength of its citations; author’s acknowledged expertise in regards to the content of the source; reputation of the publishing, reviewing, &/or credentialing institution how you might use it; and (where relevant) how contemporary the source is).

3-Identify which sources seem to be in conversation with each other.  (There are many ways to be in conversation; the sources might complement each other, reinforce each other, or maybe they totally challenge each other, etc.).

4-Pick six sources from your group that you believe are strong and speak together.

5-Based on your understanding of what each of these sources do and how you might use them, write a two paragraph proposal for a research paper.   There is no room for fluff in this proposal, so get straight to the point and strive to be clear.

5a- In the first paragraph, you should immediately introduced the focus topic and the tentative thesis.  The tentative thesis is based on the information you currently have about the topic.  (You might think of it as a hypothesis).

5b-The second paragraph should do two things.  It should first explain how the sources you currently have support the tentative thesis (which shouldn’t be hard since your thesis should be based on your understanding of those sources).  Then identify the two primary goals for further research.   In order to identify what’s most important, you have to think about the particularities of your proposed argument.  If you had to write the paper now, where might the paper be weakest?  What are the logical gaps?  Do you have one piece of evidence but need more of the same kind of evidence?  Do you have enough evidence for one side of the argument but need to find a source that will address the contemporary angle or a British angle etc.?

Due:  Tues., October 25th by 12 noon.

6a-Post Online: The two paragraph proposal + MLA formatted bibliographical entries for the six strongest sources.  (remember to check the appropriate category box).

6b-Email Me:  The two paragraph proposal + MLA-formatted bibliographical entries for the six strongest sources + the four B.E.A.M. sources each individual member found. (Please divide the entries by group members’ names).

Due:  Tues., October 25th by 12 noon.