PWR 2: The Delivery of Research-Based Argument

Students in PWR 2 continue to focus on research-based writing, though the range of research widens to include field-based research as well as library and Web research. In PWR 2, moreover, students will begin to move beyond traditional academic forms of argument, making rhetorical choices about genre, diction, style, and media that are appropriate to the goals of their research and to the audiences they wish to address. Finally, PWR 2 will focus on delivery, the fifth canon of rhetoric, and thus on the written, oral, and multimedia presentation of research.

The research project drives the course; that is, students will develop their research proposals in the opening weeks, and all assignments will fit into that guiding context. We know from PWR 1 that an earlier start on the research makes for more substantive work—in PWR 2, students need sufficient time to live with their project, both to complete substantial research and to make choices about the most effective ways to deliver the research.  This model gives them ample time to develop a proposal, conduct the research, learn about translation from one medium to another, and draft, rehearse, and revise delivery of their arguments. Ultimately, PWR 2 should build on their introduction to research in PWR 1 and bridge to their later work in WIM courses and the writing of Honors Theses.  Having the course be project driven rather than assignment driven ensures that research projects will necessarily be more in-depth and rigorous, acknowledging students’ growth as researchers. 

Assignment Sequence for PWR 2 (Minimum of three assignments):

To meet the course objectives, all PWR 2 sections adhere to the following assignment sequence:

1. Research Proposal:
        Oral presentation of research proposal
        Suggested Count: 5 minutes of oral presentation, 2-4 page script.

2.  Print-Based Research-Based Argument (Writing to Be Read in Print Form):
         Suggested Count: 8-10 pages of traditional academic writing

3.  Delivery of Research (Translation of Research for Oral Delivery with Media Support)
        Explore strategies of delivery across media and mode, make decisions about which media will be most effective (including into an audio essay, conference paper, website, game proposal, advertising pitch)
       Suggested Count: 10 minutes of live oral presentation with optional media support, 6-8 page script
        Optional: Interim Presentation on the Process: 3-5 minutes of presentation.
        Optional: Live Presentation to audience outside of class (academic conference).         

4.  Research Reflection
        Analyze rhetorical strategies of translation and delivery; reflect on research
        Suggested Count:  3-5 minute oral presentation, 2-3 page script

This comes out to 18-20 minutes of oral presentations (with an optional mid-process report that can replace the reflection presentation) and 18-25 pages of writing, 8-10 in print form (writing to be read in print) and 10-15 in script form (writing to be delivered to an audience).

During 2005-2006, PWR will continue to hold Research Forums that highlight the work of students in PWR 2 courses and to make successful PWR 2 projects available on the Program Website.