Research Paper Assignment – 2020-2021
Guiding Question: What issues help shape the America we know today?
Assignment: Write a 4-6 page research paper based on the principle suggested by the guiding question. This assignment is a multi-step process. Read this handout carefully so that you are clear about your responsibilities.
Preliminary Work:
Step 1: Choose your topic. You may choose from any of the following categories: politics/government/legislation, science/medicine, arts/entertainment, sports, family/social issues. Any other ideas? Let me know.
Step 2: Think about how that issue is present in society today and develop a question that will guide your research. The answer to this question will become the claim for your paper.
Research:
Step 3: Using the internet, research the topic you have identified as the main focus of your paper. You may not use the following:
Wikipedia
Blogs
Personal websites
I strongly encourage the use of the Library Media’s databases and trustworthy sources and websites ending .edu or gov.
Step 4: After you have collected the required data, you must refine your working thesis statement, develop and create an annotated bibliography, notecards, outline, and ultimately a 4-6 page, double-spaced paper. Attached is a calendar of due dates/checkpoints that you must meet along the way.
Requirements:
MLA format
4-6 pages, double–spaced, typed, 12 pt. legible font
Minimum of 4 sources
Minimum of 2 parenthetical citations per source
Deadlines/Checkpoints for Research Paper
***All checkpoints must be submitted to Turnitin***
Friday, 3/19 Handout/explain assignment
Tuesday, 3/23 Topic and guiding question/rationale due (10 pts.)
Monday, 4/5 Notecards & annotated bibliography (40 pts.)
Monday, 4/12 Outline due (10 pts.)
Friday, 4/16 rough draft due (40 pts.)
Will be returned no later than Friday 4/30
Friday, 5/7 Final paper due (50 pts.)
Total points for project: 150 pts.
Research is to be done on your own at home while we are completing other work in class. There will be direct instruction on assessing reliable sources, creating notecards, an annotated bibliography, an outline and formatting parenthetical citations and MLA format.
Tips for writing a good research paper.
Stay focused on your thesis statement. It drives your research and your writing.
Be sure you have enough information to prove your thesis statement, yet don’t include material that is off topic.
Organize your ideas logically.
Remember: any thoughts or words you include in your paper which aren’t your own must be cited. This means you must cite any information you’ve directly quoted, summarized, or paraphrased. Failure to give credit where it is due is plagiarism and will result in a zero on your paper. No second chances given.
Include footnotes if you feel they are necessary to avoid disrupting the flow of your paper.
Your works cited page must be attached to your research paper. It is the last page of your paper. (Page 5.)
Be sure your paper is formatted properly. MLA style 8.
A good research paper will have much cited material, but it will also include your own ideas. You should be including what you’ve learned through your research. Think and interpret what you’ve read.
This link brings you to an example of a properly written and formatted research paper. https://kami.app/mbQLluASmtyG
When submitting your paper to turnitin.com, click on file, download as a word document. Submit that word document to turnitin to avoid formatting problems.
English 11R
Checkpoint 1: Rationale
Due: Tues. March 23, 2021 to turnitin.com
1. Rationale: Explain why you have chosen to research this issue.
What interests you about this issue?
How do you plan on approaching your research? What kind of sources will you be using?
What specific news stories will you be investigating?
1 paragraph, typed and double spaced, Times New Roman, 12 point font
2. Next checkpoint: Notecards and annotated bibliography – Monday, April 5, 2021
