Part 1/ Introduction
State: your essay topic in your own words.
The reaction to obvious bias and impossibility
Zoom in: what is the focus/ point of your essay?
How different groups of people taking the same test with similar results can feel different levels of emotions and how they hold their actual literacy compared to a biased test.
Introduce your topic: why did you select it?
The largest reason I chose to research with this frame is that immediately it became clear to me people were getting similar scores due to only 11 questions being possible out of 30, and everybody had fascinating reactions.
Describe you research methods.
I proctored to 5 adults an anti-Black vote Louisiana literacy test, grading anything subjective as incorrect no matter what answer was, and took notes on their immediate reactions.
Part 2
Present your evidence.
Of the 5 individuals tested (for all English is their first language):
One (US white female, <20) scored 11/30, getting all 11 possible questions right. Reaction: rather calm but also to par with their personality and self-confidence.
One (US, white female, >50) scored 6/30 Reaction: laughed about it for a good bit, very much again that kind of person, and oldest participant.
One (US, white female, <20) scored 4/30 Reaction: used profanities to describe the test but laughed at the ridiculousness. Youngest participant with least education.
One (Non-US, Black female, >20) scored a 4/30 Reaction: attempted to withhold their results until I “fixed” some of the questions I marked as wrong, while using profanities, in a mostly jestering manner.
One (US, while male, >20) scored the second highest, 7/30. Reaction: laughed about it and called the questions profane terms, while also understanding the questions most out of the others. Highest education level.
Explain your evidence.
The largest conclusion to be made from this sample size is that generally people weren’t happy, but the individuals who had the least amount of confidence in their literacy from others had the biggest reactions, despite actual abilities.
Part 3:
Explain: which discourse describes your project, hegemonic or counternarrative?
It’s a counternarrative on the idea of testing and biases and who it affects most even when applied at an even level.
Part 4:
Reference at least one course material. Make a connection between the course material and your research topic.
I think the illiteracy to prison pipeline TED talk very much shows off the idea of how biases and even just the standardized idea of literacy can, quite frankly to the exists in the United States, directly send people down the wrong path in life and even prison. Based on the reactions of the people taking this test, it is definitely apparent even a standard version of a biased test, applied equally, with have very much different outcomes and effects on people.
Part 5:
So? Why should we care?
A better world is a literate one, and by ignoring how tests can at best make people feel less literate and more likely to give up on literacy, you will only create a more illiterate world.
4 thoughts on “Eleanor Heaton Research Essay Outline”
Hi Eleanor,
Your research essay outline is fascinating! I really appreciate how you’re diving into the emotional impact of biased tests on different groups. Your descriptions of individual reactions are vivid and provide a clear picture of how diverse perspectives influence responses to such tests.
I especially liked how you linked your research to broader societal issues like the “illiteracy to prison pipeline” TED talk. It’s a strong connection that adds depth to your exploration of biases in testing.
I’d love to hear more about the reasoning behind choosing these particular individuals for your study and perhaps a discussion on potential limitations. Additionally, expanding your research sample might give a more comprehensive view of how biases affect different demographics.
Overall, your outline is thought-provoking and engaging. Keep up the fantastic work!
Purpose of the essay: Eleanor wants to dig into how different people react emotionally to a biased test, despite getting similar scores. It’s about how this test affects how they see their own literacy.
Selected essay option: Eleanor seems to focus on biases in testing, especially how they impact various groups differently.
Research methods: Eleanor conducted her research by giving a biased test to five individuals and noting their immediate reactions. I think it could be helpful to know more about why these particular people were chosen and the test’s design.
Central idea: The essay centers on how biased tests can cause diverse emotional reactions, despite similar scores, and how it connects to people’s perceptions of their literacy.
Support with evidence: Eleanor describes the reactions of the five individuals to the test. While these descriptions are detailed, having a more diverse group could give a broader view.
Interpretation of evidence: Eleanor suggests that those with lower confidence in their literacy had stronger reactions, hinting at a link between how people feel about their literacy and how they react to biased tests.
Reference to course material: Eleanor refers to the “illiteracy to prison pipeline” TED talk, showing how biased tests might have broader societal impacts, which connects well with the course content.
Hegemonic or counternarrative discourse: Eleanor positions her essay as a counternarrative, challenging the usual ideas about biases in testing and how they affect different groups.
Strengths: The essay has an intriguing topic, gives detailed descriptions of individual reactions, and makes a good effort to relate the research to bigger societal issues.
Comments or suggestions: Maybe expanding the research to include a wider variety of people would help get a more comprehensive understanding. Also, discussing the study’s potential limitations could strengthen the essay.
Peer Review to Eleanor Heaton
1. Does the author clearly state the purpose of the essay? Explain.
Yes, the author clearly states the purpose of the essay, which is to explore how different groups of people can feel varying levels of emotions and hold different perceptions of their literacy when taking a biased test.
2. Does the author clearly state which essay option they have selected? If so, which one is it?
Yes, the author mentions that the essay focuses on the reaction to obvious bias and impossibility in testing.
3. Does the author describe their research methods? Explain.
Yes, the author proctored an anti-Black vote Louisiana literacy test to five adults, grading anything subjective as incorrect, and took notes on their immediate reactions.
4. Does the author state the central idea of the essay? Explain.
Yes, the central idea is about how individuals with similar test scores can have different emotional reactions based on their confidence in literacy and how biases in testing affect different groups.
5. Does the author support the central idea with relevant evidence? Explain.
Yes, the author presents evidence from five individuals, detailing their scores, reactions, and demographics, which supports the central idea of varying emotional responses to biased tests.
6. Does the author interpret relevant evidence? Explain.
Yes, the author interprets the evidence by concluding that those with less confidence in their literacy exhibited stronger reactions, despite their actual abilities.
7. Does the author reference at least one course material? Explain.
Yes, the author references the TED talk on the illiteracy to prison pipeline, connecting it to the idea that biases in standardized literacy tests can have significant consequences.
8. Does the author reference hegemonic or counternarrative discourse? Explain.
The author references counternarrative discourse, challenging the conventional idea of testing and biases and highlighting who is most affected, even with an equal application of bias.
9.What are the strengths of this draft? Explain.
The strengths include a clear purpose, well-described research methods, relevant evidence to support the central idea, and a connection to course material that enhances the argument.
10. Do you have any other comments or suggestions?
The essay is well-structured and provides a good foundation. It would be beneficial to expand on the implications of the findings and consider addressing potential limitations in the study. Additionally, ensuring clarity in language and phrasing would enhance overall understanding for a high school audience.
1. The author does explain the purpose which is how one who would be taking the test may react emotionally and how the tests are biased or not
2. I believe the author chose option 5 based off the description
3. The author will proctor 5 people
4. The central idea of the essay is how someone may react due to the biased of certain tests
5. I believe that the author does support the central idea with relevant evidence which would be the reaction of the individuals taking the test
6. I think the author does interpret relevant evidence as she mentions the effects of what may happen if you were to take the test and the emotions one may experience
7. The author does reference one course material which is the TED Talk Illiteracy to Prison Pipeline
8. The author references that it’ll be a counternarrative discourse on which who it would effect the most
9. I think the strengths of this draft is the evidence that the author provided which would help a great deal when writing out their final draft
10. I have no comments on it but I believe that the author is taking the right path by reading through this draft