schedule+of+deadlines,+memo+and+report+descriptions

__ due dates: __ Sunday, February 26 topic descriptions and preliminary bibliography Sunday, March 11 5 reference annotations Sunday, March 25 5 reference annotations plus draft of report Sunday, April 22 final report plus draft of oral presentation Friday, April 27, 3-6:00 symposium practice Sunday, April 29, 2-5:00 symposium

__ Memo 1: topic description and preliminary bibliography __ This memo consists of three short paragraphs, each describing a possible research topic, and why you think the topic is interesting and important. Include at least two links to references for each topic; these references can be web pages, news articles, or research articles. Looking around for references will help you decide if there is enough supporting material to work on a topic.

__ Memo 2: 5 reference annotations __ This memo consists of five annotations of articles you have read for your research. If you conduct an interview as part of your research, you can substitute an annotation of the interview for an article annotation. Most of the articles you annotate should be fairly substantial – not short newspaper articles. If it seems best to annotate a set of short articles, you can combine these to write one annotation. At least one article you annotate should be from a peer-reviewed journal. We encourage you to use zotero – a free online tool – to organize your research sources and bibliography ( [] ).

Each article annotation should include the following: · Full citation (s) · Statement of the key and sub-arguments made in the article. · Two quotes illustrative of arguments in the article. · List of three pieces of evidence used to support the main and sub-arguments. · Statement of how the article can inform your research. · List of information from the article that you can use in your report.

__ Memo 3: 5 reference annotations __ Same as above.

__ Memo 4: draft of paper __ A draft of your paper is due March 25, one month before your final report is due. The draft should be as complete as possible so that we can give you feedback, and you can work to improve it.

__ Memo 5: draft of oral presentation __ This memo should include a well-developed outline for your oral presentation, and a set of supporting slides. Your oral presentations will be eight minutes long -- which is the equivalent of about four pages of text, double-spaced. Your presentations should include about sixteen slides. We will ask these questions in evaluating your oral presentation: 10.Is the presentation well timed?
 * 1) 1. Does the speaker have an effective title?
 * 2) 2. Does the speaker have an effective opening story?
 * 3) 3. Does the speaker provide enough basic detail on the topic for listeners to understand its scope and significance?
 * 4) 4. Does the speaker effectively convey the array of environmental problems associated with the topic?
 * 5) 5. Does the speaker describe creative initiatives to solve the environmental problems associated with the topic?
 * 6) 6. Did the speaker use images effectively, and explain their significance?
 * 7) 7. Does the speaker indicate the sources of information presented?
 * 8) 8. Does the speaker have an effective closing story or statement?
 * 9) 9. Is the presentation well organized?

__ Final report __ Your final research report should be about ten pages of text. Citations and footnotes should make clear how you made use of your references and annotations. The report should include at least four images, with explanatory captions. It should be nicely laid out and closely edited for grammar. It also should be interesting to read, drawing readers into your concern with your topic.

The report will include these components:
 * a title that is both informational and evocative
 * a opening story or set of figures that quickly shows readers why your topic is important
 * a brief overview of your topic, including a list of stakeholders and details on scale
 * a thorough description of your topic’s environmental problems
 * [[image:http://ecoed.wikispaces.com/site/embedthumbnail/placeholder?w=308&h=92 width="308" height="92" align="left" caption="Text Box: RPI EcoEd> making connections> "]] a description of various efforts to find solutions to your topic’s environmental problems
 * a description of what you think should be priority actions to address your topic’s environmental problems
 * a closing story that conveys what your topic would look like after concerted effort to improve its environmental sustainability
 * bibliography