My topic is how overusing TikTok affects one’s mental health.
Congratulations on completing your Research Project! Before you submit your assignment, please make sure you read the guidelines one more time to ensure you’ve met the requirements (I’ve pasted the guidelines below). Please also ensure that you have selected the correct file before you upload the assignment.
Overview
You will write a 1500-2000 word, double-spaced, 12 point font essay proposing a solution to a problem faced by a community or group to which you belong, and address your proposal to anyone who might help solve the problem. This paper should be in MLA format, including the headers, page numbers, and in-text citations and Works Cited page. You must provide an introductory paragraph with a hook, background information, and 1-2 sentence thesis that provides a clear analysis of a focused problem; 3+ body paragraphs; a clear concluding paragraph; and a Works Cited list. Remember, your topic must be the same as the one noted in the Topic Proposal assignment; you risk failing the assignment if you switch topics.
Pre-Writing
You should pick a topic that has a direct impact on your life. Think of an issue that you are deeply interested in and that affects your daily living. The best research papers are about something that interests you. Don’t forget that this is a persuasive paper; your primary purpose is to convince your readers that your proposed solution to the problem is the best one for the given situation.
Evaluation
Problem Definition:
Clearly define a well-articulated problem.
Solution Description:
Describe a clear solution to the problem.
You may propose 1-2 solutions if appropriate.
Argumentation:
Provide a convincing argument supporting your analysis of the problem and your solution(s).
Counterargument and Opposition Handling:
Anticipate and address potential objections and questions from readers.
Acknowledge and respond to opposition viewpoints:
You can refute an opposition point, concede its value, or both.
Include counterarguments in the problem definition or solution sections, or both.
Clearly distinguish between your viewpoint and the opposition’s.
Refute or concede opposition points effectively.
Evidence and Research:
Support your ideas with evidence, including statistics, facts, expert quotes, and studies.
Conduct an interview if applicable to your topic.
Use 5-7 research sources (magazines, books, credible websites (.gov or .edu), scholarly journals, interviews). At least 2 of these sources must be peer-reviewed articles from the FSW database system (accessible via Canvas under “Student Resources” > “Research Databases”). You must include the specific database name and a direct link to the full article within the FSW database system in your Works Cited entries to receive credit. The remaining sources must be credible and authoritative. I recommend using .edu or .gov sources; you should not use .com sites or Wikipedia. You must include clickable links for all online sources, so I can easily click on the link to view the source. For database sources, please provide the website address of the database source rather than the DOI. If your database citation uses the doi, please delete it and instead include the URL.
Any personal examples must be limited in nature. Remember, the purpose of a research paper is to present evidence-based research in the form of scholarly articles.
Use MLA format for in-text citations and a Works Cited page.
Writing Standards and Style:
Adhere to college-level writing standards (refer to the Grading Standards Policy).
Write in an academic voice:
Avoid “you,” “your,” “I think,” “I feel,” and “I believe.”
Avoid directly referring to your paper or to your research process.
Use “I” only for personal examples
Rubric
Research Paper Rubric
Research Paper Rubric
Criteria Ratings Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeTitle
The essay should have a properly formatted title that clearly conveys the subject matter of the essay.
5 pts
Achieves excellence.
4 pts
Exceeds expecttations.
3 pts
Meets expectations.
2 pts
Does not meet expectations.
0 pts
Title not included.
5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeIntroduction
The introduction should contain an attention-getting hook as the first sentence then provide at least 2 sentences of background information on the topic. The last 1-2 sentences of the introduction should be your thesis statement.
10 pts
Achieves excellence.
8 pts
Exceeds expecttations.
7 pts
Meets expectations.
4 pts
Needs improvement.
0 pts
No Marks
Clear and separate introductory paragraph not included.
10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeThesis statement
The thesis statement or central idea of the essay should be narrowed and specific so that the claim can be thoroughly developed in the essay. The thesis should identify a clear and focused problem and, ideally, at least 1 workable solution.
15 pts
Achieves excellence.
13 pts
Exceeds expecttations.
12 pts
Meets expectations.
7 pts
Needs improvement.
0 pts
Thesis not included.
15 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeOrganization
The writing should flow smoothly and logically. The essay’s argument must be coherent and all portions of the essay should sync with one another to form a cohesive whole. You should include clear transitions between sentences and paragraphs and focused topic sentences that clearly relate to the thesis.
10 pts
Achieves excellence.
9 pts
Exceeds expecttations.
8 pts
Meets expectations.
5 pts
Needs improvement.
0 pts
No marks
10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeStyle
The language should be engaging, appropriate to an academic audience, and precise. Avoid the words “you” and “your” and if you use the word “I” make sure it is in connection with a personal example, though personal examples should be limited. Avoid phrases like “I think,” “I feel,” or “I believe.”
10 pts
Achieves excellence.
8 pts
Exceeds expecttations.
7 pts
Meets expectations.
4 pts
Needs improvement.
0 pts
No Marks
10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeDevelopment
Your sources must be used in a meaningful way somewhere in the body of the paper. You must include an introduction, at least 3 body paragraphs, a separate conclusion, and a complete Works Cited list. You must cite at least 5 sources within the paper, and two of those sources must come from the FSW database system: https://researchguides.fsw.edu/az/databasesLinks to an external site.. You should use only authoritative, credible sources in your paper. If you use the free web, you should choose .gov or .edu resources; you should not include .com sites or Wikipedia.
15 pts
Achieves excellence.
13 pts
Exceeds expecttations.
10 pts
Meets expectations.
7 pts
Needs improvement.
0 pts
No marks
15 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeMLA
You must include correctly formatted in-text citations of your outside sources. In addition, you must include a complete Works Cited list. The document design must be in MLA format.
15 pts
Achieves excellence.
13 pts
Exceeds expecttations.
12 pts
Meets expectations.
7 pts
Needs improvement.
0 pts
No marks
15 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeGrammar
The essay should display evidence of the writing/revision process, which includes proofreading for grammatical/mechanical/spelling mistakes.
15 pts
Achieves excellence.
13 pts
Exceeds expecttations.
10 pts
Meets expectations.
7 pts
Needs improvement.
0 pts
No Marks
15 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeFollowing directions.
The assignments follows all of the guidelines and meets the word count requirement.
5 pts
Achieves excellence.
4 pts
Exceeds expecttations.
3 pts
Meets expectations.
2 pts
Needs improvement.
0 pts
No Marks
5 pts
Total Points: 100
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