Academic Writing 2

choose this theories (agenda sitting theory and gatekeepers theory) and link both together. also, link it with another topic Research Assignment Rubric Do NOT use Wikipedia or blogs as sources Your research paper (assignment M7: 2) must include the following: • Title page with your name, course, date etc. (author’s note not needed) • Executive summary (not more than one paragraph) • Outline of paper (APA format, phrases or full sentences) • Body including: o introduction o literature review focusing on theory o review of your media topic/issue o reason for application of theory • Internal citations of sources in APA style (see sample paper in module 3) • Reference page (at least 10 credible sources) The purpose of this paper is to research a theory related to media studies which was introduced or studied in this class, and then apply that theory to an issue, topic, trend, or industry within mass media communication. The theories will come from the text or related reading and typically the media topic could be an issue recently discussed in the news (any format) or an overall trend within an industry or with mass communication in general, such as the proliferation of social media sites such as Twitter or LinkedIn. Between these three written sections the paper should be 15-20 pages (not including title page, reference, outline or abstract). To complete the assignment please do the following: 1) First research a communication or media-related theory that you find interesting from the course material. Research this theory (gatekeeping, social learning theory, social expectations, uses for gratifications, etc) in depth through Lasell Library’s databases, other library collections and even online sources like Google Scholar. The key is to obtain a healthy selection of academic and professional articles that have helped you thoroughly understand the theory of your choice and which map the development of this theory, and its relationship with other communication theories when applicable. 2) Choose a mass media-related topic/issue/event to which you feel your theory can be adequately applied in order to help explore, understand, challenge popular opinion, lend a helpful perspective, and-or explain said topic/event as a means to build upon the knowledge base of the theory or challenge some of its assumptions. Ideally the paper will excel when you chose a topic you are passionate about, or at least are quite informed about. 3) You should write a literature review of the primary and secondary research related to your theory, making sure to follow the APA citation style exemplified by the sample paper on Moodle. 4) After the literature review, include an overview of your media topic which summarizes the research you have done about the topic and highlights the most in-depth sources related to your topic. (Between part 3 & 4 you should compile a minimum of 12-15 sources for the completed research paper) 5) After the first two written sections, include a section in which you reason and argue as to why the theory should be applied to your topic: how does it help illuminate the issue you are discussing, challenge popular opinion, lend a helpful perspective, etc. This section should refer back to prior sources but this is also where you will make an original argument for how and why your theory-topic connection makes sense based on your research. 6) Finally remember to include an outline, abstract and reference section in APA with your final paper. Remember to use the APA sources (I will provide them in Module 3) and begin an APA style outline and bibliography after your topic is approved. Let me know if you have any questions.