Final Project Overview and Timeline Final Project Overview The final project for COM 220 is a 2,000- to 2,500-word research paper on a topic of your choice, approved by your instructor. The subject of your paper should provide you with ample opportunities for research because you are required to use five to seven references to support your thesis. In addition, you must select a dynamic topic that allows you to conduct research on multiple sides of the issue. The final paper must be formatted according to APA guidelines and contain the following elements: • A title page • An introduction and a thesis statement • A body with supporting evidence and in-text citations • Effective visuals, appropriately introduced • A conclusion • A reference list with at least five to seven sources, three of which must come from the University Library Final Project Timeline You should budget your time wisely and work on your project throughout the course. As outlined below, the CheckPoints and assignments in the course are designed to assist you in planning, developing, organizing, writing, revising, and editing your final paper. If you complete your course activities and use the feedback provided by the instructor, you will be on the right track to complete your project successfully. A draft of your paper is due in Week Seven for peer review. • Suggested in Week One: Read the Final Project Overview and Timeline in Appendix A. ? Due in Week One: Research Paper Topic CheckPoint ? Suggested in Week One: Print the Summary of the Research Process in Appendix C for use throughout the course. Review the Bias, Rhetorical Devices, and Argumentation Assignment, and consider what kinds of rhetorical devices and arguments are appropriate for your research topic. ? Due in Week Two: Gathering and Evaluating Information CheckPoint ? Due in Week Three: Annotated Bibliography CheckPoint ? Due in Week Three: Quoting, Summarizing, and Paraphrasing Sources Assignment ? Due in Week Four: Developing a Thesis Statement CheckPoint ? Due in Week Five: Full-Sentence Outline CheckPoint ? Due in Week Five: Incorporating Statistics, Graphs, and Illustrations Assignment ? Due in Week Six: Introduction and Conclusion CheckPoint ? Suggested in Week Six: Use your full-sentence outline to begin drafting your research paper. Add your introduction to the beginning of the body and your conclusion to the end, incorporate the visuals you developed in Week Five, and include transitions to tie all your ideas together. Remember to turn your annotated bibliography into a reference page, listing only those sources you actually used in your paper. You will need a completed rough draft for activities in Week Seven. ? Due in Week Seven: Rough Draft of Your Paper CheckPoint ? Due in Week Seven: Peer Review Workshop ? Due in Week Eight: Research Paper Revision CheckPoint ? Suggested in Week Eight: Revise your research paper based on feedback from your instructor, the Center for Writing Excellence, and your peer reviewer. ? Suggested in Week Nine: Use the checklist in Appendix H to proofread your research paper. ? Due in Week Nine: Persuasive Research Paper Final Project