Assignment: Composing a Publishable Paper

• Step One:Identify an academic journal of interest to you and your discipline. No doubt, in your prepatory work for your book review assignment, you ran across a journal that appealed to you, that seemed to be "speaking to" the issues you find interesting, and that would be open to considering an article composed by you. Photocopy for me the submission requirements. Indicate if it is a refereed journal. Be sure to identify what style guide is preferred (APA? MLA?).
• Step Two: Review the contents of this journal for the past several issues. Identify the key topics/themes published.
• Step Three: Photocopy a sample article published in this journal; identify the structure/key components of this essay. Use this as a model as you prepare your own essay.
• Step Four:Write the Essay. Keep in mind that a journal article typically has the following: (a) an introduction that, of course, introduces the topic, but also that addresses the "so whatness" of the topic. What's at stake in your analysis? Who cares? Who should care? Why should we care? (b) a literature review of the research done on the topic, a summary of the greatest "hits" on this topic, as well as a statement of what is missing: why your contribution is necessary. What's the on-going conversation, and why/how are you joining it? (c) a statement of purpose--what's your general argument and how are you going to proceed? (d) the so-called "body" of the piece, where you do your work of presenting/arguing your case; and (e) the conclusion, where you tell us what you've just done & recap the implications for your study.