Your research proposal serves an “advance draft”/planning document that will get you started toward completing your final research paper due Week Eight. For planning purposes, read the assignment instructions for the final Research Paper; to include realizing that your final paper should be between ten and twelve pages (body length, not shorter or longer; which does NOT include your title page [required] and your bibliography [also required]). Key elements to develop in your proposal include: a focused thesis statement; draft structure including issues or lines of support that you intend to research, and a working bibliography, properly formatted, per Chicago style, of seven to ten scholarly resources.
This writing assignment comprises 36% of all course points (DUE NLT 11:55 p.m., Sunday of WEEK #8).
Write an 8-12 page research paper (page count applies to body text; not to include charts, tables or graphics, if added) on a major theme or series of influential events that shaped or defined the rise and/or decline of the Ottoman Empire.
Your research paper must include a formal title page, page numbering, proper citations, according to Chicago Manual of Style/Turabian formatting, and a formal bibliography page. For formatting assistance, please use the short guide to the Chicago Manual of Style available at the APUS online library: APUS ePress. Citations from online articles are permitted ONLY from scholarly websites or primary documents available via reputable archives or the APUS Online Library.
The body of your paper should feature a strong introduction with a clear thesis statement, well-developed supporting arguments that are linked by proper transitions and supported by at least SEVEN scholarly sources, and a conclusion paragraph that ties back to the introduction and summarizes support for your stated thesis. Substantial research (in addition to assigned course readings) is necessary. Your research paper must reflect your own original thoughts. Also, you MUST receive instructor’s permission, in advance, to include any information “recycled” or previously developed as part of ANY of your previously submitted academic writing assignments.
For the standard grading criteria (“Rubric”), please review the APUS upper division-Level Paper Grading Rubric, attached.
Deduction penalties for all papers received can include, but are not limited to “unexcused” late papers (10% for every 6 hours late); papers too short (25% for every half page short); or papers too long (20% for every half page too long).
Please remember, substantial research, in addition to assigned course readings, is required. This is a heavy load for eight weeks. You need to start on your research paper in Week One of class. Your research paper must reflect your own original thoughts. Your paper will be checked for originality using “Turnitin” software and graded based on originality or creative thinking, and quality of research, writing, and formatting.
