The topics seem unimaginative, stale.

Students have a hard time narrowing the focus.

Major (Course) topic must have many sub-topics.

Have topic conversations early.

Require students to submit paper topics early in semester for instructor sign-off.

Move beyond multiple personality paper into student driven paper.

What do you do for the second half of the semester?

Schedule milestones/dates.

Focus on the writing and move away from the readings.

Begin the biggest paper as early as possible.

Discuss Research v. research.

Build MLA discussion into beginning of semester.

Before the 6-10 page paper.

Week 10.

After the 6-10 page paper.

Annotated Bibliography Assignment-students in groups to identify "scholarly sources."

Early papers can be specialty driven. Example: a focused examination of a topic/technique (scene, chapter, theme) so that the next paper adds additional texture with more information.

Miniature analysis that remains separate from the paper. Bring to class for peer query (here's my argument, what did I miss?).

Create research pods, groups of students who are working on similar issues. Encourage students to share/exchange sources.

Focus group peer editing so the class concentrates on one or several elements of the paper instead of whole paper.

How do you make the oral component effective?

What about the Powerpoint haves/have nots?

Give students the option to present in stages (report on work in progress and direction/where I am going) or at the end (report on sequence of events/culmination).

For formal presentations, enlist the class to create the evaluation rubric.

Create a practical simulation. For example, a presentation to a "board" to make a case. Require the audience to participate.

Mock Conferences where instructor assembles students into panels. The audience asks questions.

Require audience to ask at least one question during the class.