Research topic: Evaluate and analyze the debate surrounding Olmec society as the mother culture of Mesoamerica
Sources from JSTOR
The Final Research Paper for MAS 141 will contain:
1. A thorough and complete historical introduction in which you cite a minimum of three scholarly books. This helps to establish strong academic credibility and sets an academic tone for the paper. Avoid general statements in the introduction such as, “Since the beginning of time….” “People think that….”, “Did you know that….”, etc.
2. Include an open-ended research question at the end of the introduction. You must make the question open-ended and arguable. There should be a strong link between the research question and the thesis statement.
3. A thesis statement/main argument in the second paragraph. You can think of this as a thesis statement paragraph.
4. Consistent thesis statement support in every paragraph with the use of academic sources. Remember, you want to prove a point, and back up that point with strong use of evidence. Read sources carefully and stay on the subject, do not digress unnecessarily. Every paragraph should include a minimum of three MLA in-text citations in parentheses. Ex: (Robles 145). A good rule of thumb is to always consult the MLA OWL handbook online or other reliable MLA websites. Refer to the 8th or 9th edition of the MLA handbook.
5. Use primary sources, if applicable, from “The Mexico Reader” in support of your main argument. “The Mexico Reader” is full of primary sources, and I am confident you will find a primary source, or more, that relate to your topic.
6. A counterargument paragraph with a rebuttal (think about what other people could argue about against you and then provide a rebuttal of the counterargument itself). Thoughtful counterarguments and rebuttals reinforce the strength and academic validity of your thesis statement.
7. A conclusion that sheds light on your research paper’s importance.
8. A complete Works Cited page in MLA format.
9. Your research paper should contain a minimum of eight (8) research sources, not including the sources found in “The Mexico Reader”,.
The research paper for MAS 141 will be ten (10) pages long, not including the Works Cited page. Do not expect to earn an A or A- if you write less than nine full pages of excellent quality.
Write your research paper in Times New Roman, 12-font, with double-spaced lines and with one-inch margins. Include an original title for your paper. Additionally, use no more than four (4) direct quotations in your entire research paper. 90% or more of your paper should be written in your own words. The lower the plagiarism score, the more original your paper is, which enhances the overall quality of your writing. Rather than using too many quotations, paraphrase, analyze, compare, contrast, evaluate, critique, and question texts. This is higher-ordered level-3 writing and is much better than providing quotations to back a point.
Should you have any questions regarding the research paper guidelines do not hesitate to contact me through email or office hours. You may consult the Academic Success Center for further support. Make sure that your plagiarism score is no more than 12%. I strictly prohibit the use of AI.
