ENGLISH 1010 ONLINE SEMESTER
Essay 3: Research Profile

Length: 4-6 pages double-spaced
Format: MLA format, Times New Roman, Size 12, 1-inch margins

Assignment:
You’ve read many profiles—they appear in magazines, on websites, and as non-fiction bestsellers. Interviews, biographies, and documentaries are also specific kinds of profiles. Think of them as windows into a subject; the essay offers knowledge that the writer has gained and is sharing with the reader. You will want to focus on certain aspects of your topic, since you can’t cover everything in this essay.

Profiles rely on primary and/or secondary research as the source of information. If primary research (interview, observation) is feasible for you, that is great. Use it. All of you, though, will rely on secondary research. You will also use the synthesis skills practiced in Essay 2, but expand on them by crafting your own topic, inquiry questions, finding and evaluating your own sources to use in the essay, and integrating more than two sources.

Genre Conventions:
Profiles usually rely on conventions such as
• a unique, surprising, or engaging perspective by the writer
• description of and information about the subject
• vivid description of people/places/events
• information gleaned from primary and/or secondary research
• an organized but interesting structure
• correctly synthesized, integrated, and cited source material

Topic Choices:
PLACE: Write a profile that offers insight into a place with a unique identity—or that perhaps contributes to the unique identity of its community/city.
PERSON: Write a profile that offers insight into a person with a unique/fascinating career, hobby, or life experience.
GROUP/SUBCULTURE: Write a profile that offers insight into a group or subculture and its identity characteristics.
EVENT: Write a profile that offers insight into an event that affects the national or local community.
TREND: Write a profile that offers insight into a recent cultural trend (i.e. something that has gained in popularity or visibility).

Source Requirements:
To do this assignment well, you will first need to reach a good understanding of the topic through research so that you clearly know more about the topic than your general audience might be expected to know. Your essay should reference at least 3 sources in addition to any primary sources you use. For this essay, you are required to use library research (SLCC online databases) and web research for credible sources. No encyclopedias, dictionaries, Wikipedia, or About.com. All source information must be appropriately cited in your essay. Not citing constitutes plagiarism. Your essay grade will be lowered if you do not include the required number of sources, kinds of sources, or a Works Cited page.

Grading Rubric:
Your essay will be graded on the following qualities—their specifics dictated by the genre and topic:
 Focus & Thesis
 Content & Development
 Organization
 Grammar & Style
 Research & Citation