Essay Rough Draft: Amanda Berardi

http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0ASCj6nlVlf_UZGZqd3AyMjRfMzB2a2YyYzZobQ&hl=en

I think that my research topic is very clear in my essay draft. I have tried to refer back to my main question in every paragraph so that there is a clear sequence to the information I present. I also like how I have incorporated my sources into my writing. I am somewhat concerned that my three content areas, PostSecret and Project Mortified, online blogging, and online review sites, are not clearly connected. I am also considering adding more sources to my paper. I have not yet completed my works cited page, but all of my sources are from my bibliography.

Diagram of Essay

http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0ASCj6nlVlf_UZGZqd3AyMjRfMjk3dHJ0ZGNkdg&hl=en

Research Project Reflection

After completing my Google Docs presentation, I feel that my thoughts are coming together and that my project is progressing. I think that I will be able to start outlining my essay based off of my presentation and my bibliography from Diigo. I expect that my essay will follow the same train of thought as my presentation; however I know that I will have to elaborate more on my ideas. I will also likely have to complete more research in order to support my key assumptions.

While I feel that my project is moving along well, I am concerned that my topic has evolved a great deal since the beginning of the semester. I began my research questioning the use of text messages among young people and how this is affecting speech and grammar. I then decided to focus my research on online anonymity. After viewing many sources on the presence of anonymous online authors, I eventually decided to research the reasons why people choose to remain anonymous online and how online anonymity has contributed to the development of Internet communities.

Despite switching my research topic, I still feel that I am on track to complete my paper. I may have to find additional sources since many of my links on Diigo no longer directly relate to my topic. I am confident that I will be able to further develop my research and structure my ideas in the form of a paper, and I look forward to continuing my research on this topic and learning more about the subject.

Research Project Bibliography

http://docs.google.com/View?id=dfjwp224_28zmpqkdgx

Revised Presentation

Research Project Progress

So far in the semester, I feel that I have made significant progress towards my final research topic. I plan on continuing to explore the question of, “What is an anonymous online author?” I have found numerous sources that I can use to build upon my topic and complete my final paper. Still, I have a long way to go until I will be satisfied with my project.

While I have decided on a research question, I have still not determined the key assumption or theory of my research. I hope that this will evolve as I continue to explore the sites of have bookmarked on Diigo and as I look for more sources. I am planning on revising my slide show presentation so that it clearly communicates the theory of my research. I also hope to find or create more images for my presentation that will better reflect my thought process. I hope to make use of Pixlr.com to edit photos and images that I find.

As of now, my slide show presentation states that anonymous online authors can control their level of anonymity. While I still agree with this theory, I also hope to look more into who can be classified as an anonymous online author. I was originally thinking in terms or professional writers, authors, and bloggers, but I now plan to research the ways that every Internet user is evolving into an online author.

After I have completed more research, I think that I will feel more comfortable starting my research paper. I want to come up with a clear theory that I feel I can strongly support before I begin writing. Though I still have a great deal of work left to do, I feel confident that I am on track to produce a well constructed research project.