But we had too many. I would have enjoyed three or four longer assignments. I concentrated so much on writing that the course topics did not stay in my mind. To students who decide to write the research paper, the instructor first gives the format required for formal linguistics papers, from title and author through references and appendices. For this project, students are given pictures of containers of various shapes, which they are to show to 25 subjects.
Students summarize data on graphs, and compare and analyze the data as they apply to semantics.
Students write up draft research reports and bring them to class for peer feedback from others who are also writing research papers. They turn in revised drafts to the instructor, who provides further feedback. Students then write a final draft and hand it in with all their notes and drafts. The instructor grades the research reports and hands them back to the students, who may rewrite them again for improved grades. The essays ensure that students learn fundamental concepts of linguistics in such areas as grammar, vocabulary, the relation of language changes to social process, and the manner in which linguists study them.