1`Research Paper
Guidelines
Late research papers will not be
accepted.
Research Paper
Instructions:
Select a research question.
This question will serve as the topic that you will explore and center on
throughout your research. Please email me at ******************** so I may
approve your topic.
Then, prepare an essay of
argumentation that focuses on some aspect of the issue. Remember—you must take a position
about this issue and you MUST include a clear claim that centers on your
position. Place the claim as the last sentence of the introductory
paragraph.
Guidelines:
Your research project essay will need to be between
eight (full) to ten pages in length.
You must address an issue that has at least two sides
(email me for topics if you’re not sure)
Effectively address the rhetorical situation –
audience, purpose, context
articulate a clear position regarding the issue and
argue that position with logical reasons
adequately develop the argument using credible support
(research)
acknowledge the opposing viewpoints and employ
counterargument or concession
identify and explain the assumptions, contexts, and
consequences of the various positions.
Utilize at least 10 credible sources – from scholarly
databases, books, etc. (no google .com sources)
MLA formatting
Read and carefully follow all of the guidelines for MLA
on the purdue OWL website.
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/
You will need to incorporate 10 outside sources (Note:
dictionary.com does not constitute a source. into the essay—use paraphrase
and/or direct quotations). From these sources at least 4 need to be
books and the rest may be database articles, documentaries, etc.
You will need a Works Cited page at the end of your
essay that includes the 8 – 10 sources.
Follow these style specifics:
Only write in third person
Do not use contractions
Follow all MLA guidelines
Research:
Your research will be for the
following reasons:
To establish background or preliminary information.
To support an assertion with facts, statistics, or
professional information.
To exemplify an idea with testimony, examples, and the
like.
To support the claim
Process:
Select a topic that you will enjoy researching and
writing about
Read and explore this topic carefully—what are the
positions already expressed about this issue?
Select a specific position that you will assert in your
claim. This will be a working claim that can evolve with your
research and growing understanding of your topic.
Begin prewriting activities (i.e., brainstorming to
find out everything you already know about this topic, asking questions,
further researching this topic)
Research extensively: include citations or
paraphrases. Vary your resources. Do not depend solely on
Internet resources—points will be deducted for not using other resources
such as books, handbooks, journal articles.
Limit web resources to those that include one of these
suffixes: edu, .gov., or .org (unbiased). For any other Internet
resources, discuss with me before using.
Wikipedia is not an acceptable website for this paper.
Other guidelines:
For this paper you must use at least 10 outside
sources (Note: dictionary.com does not count as a source).
A clear claim needs to be composed
Present at least three reasons to show the logic of
your position. Develop each reason thoroughly.
Write in third person (he, she, him, her, his, hers,
they, their, them, etc.) NO first or second person.
Works Cited—this is part of the document and should
appear as the last page of the document. Document the sources and place in
alphabetical order.
