Research Paper Objectives
*TO ACCESS THE THESIS SHEET PLEASE SEE THE APPROPRIATE COURSE PAGE. (GO TO PROJECTS AND SPRING RESEARCH PAPER)*
RESEARCH
PAPER DUE DATES
SPRING 2008
TOPIC CHOICE: January 10/11
NEED IDEAS? See Mrs. Dube in the Library or talk to your teacher
NARROW TOPIC: Jan. 17/18
TENTATIVE THESIS / PROS AND CONS: Jan. 28/29
FULL AND FINAL THESIS:Feb 7/8
WORKING BIBLIOGRAPHY: Jan 24/25
NOTE CARDS: Feb 21/22
OUTLINE: March 3/4
ROUGH DRAFT: To writing center by March 14
FINAL PAPER : March 17
Any paper not received by this date for any reason will be considered late and will lose one letter grade for each day. The paper must be handed in to me in person.
1. Students will demonstrate an understanding of various research skills including traditional and technological based research.
2. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the process of developing a research paper including
: · Effective data collection
· Analysis of data
· Note Taking
· Organization of data around a "thesis" or "controlling idea"
· Effective utilization and programming of time management to meet stated objectives
3. Students will demonstrate good writing skills including:
· Good organization including internal paragraph structure as well as the paper as a whole
· Developing a thesis driven or controlling idea for the paper and backing that idea with proof in the form of historic fact.
· Proper grammar, spelling and punctuation
· Formatting including the paper structure and works cited by using the BI style manual guidelines
· A clear understanding of how to avoid plagiarism
· Drafting and editing
· Demonstration of proficiency in word processing skills
4. Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills through the demonstration of analysis both in research and the written organization of the paper.
5. Students will demonstrate a thorough (multi-dimensional) knowledge of the historic topic they have chosen.
6. Students will utilize additional resources for product evaluation ie writing center.
Skills:
· Topic choice
· Thesis development, asking research questions
· Note taking , note cards
· Outlining · Drafting and editing
· Utilizing a variety of research facilities…. Library of Congress, National Archives, College and University libraries.
· Analysis of primary and secondary sources
· Formatting
· Avoiding plagiarism
· Time management and organizational ability
· Utilizing additional resources for product evaluation ie writing center.
The English department will support the project by providing instruction in:
· Note Cards
· Outline
· Works Cited
· Formatting according to the BI style manual
· Plagiarism
Research Paper Evaluation Form
I. Composition Skills
Thesis statement
Sentence structure
Organization
Introduction
Conclusion
Total points _____ (25)
II. English Usage
Spelling and punctuation
Unity
Consistent verb tense
Coherence
Use of third person
Subject/verb, noun/pronoun agreement
Total points _____ (10)
III. Manuscript Form
Title page, citations neatness, proofreading, _____ (10)
Works Cited _____ (10)
IV.Content____ (35)
Historical Accuracy, Quality of Arguement, Historic Evidence
V. Research____(10)
Quality of sources
Evidence of Research
Comments:
Final Grade _____ (100)
Remember the process has also counted for 100 points (notecards, working bib, outline etc.)
RESEARCH PAPER HOW-TO SHEETS
PROVIDED BY MRS. BORMAN AND MS. CURRAN
Handout #1
Working/Preliminary Bibliography Guidelines
1. Use index cards that are different in size or color from those you will use to take notes. For this assignment you must use 3X5 cards.
2. Put each entry on a different card.
3. Write in ink.
4. Be careful to list all necessary information in the same order and with the same punctuation that you will use on the final works cited page.
5. Separate titles from subtitles with colons.
6. For library books, note the library and the call number in the lower left corner.
7. Make notes of outstanding features.
8. Punctuate all titles correctly.
9. Prepare a bibliography card as soon as you find each source.
10. Write your name on each card.
11. Number each card in the upper right corner.
Handout #2
Note-taking Guidelines
1. Before you start taking notes, number your bibliography cards.
2. Take notes on 4X6 cards.
3. Before you begin taking notes, determine your topics or "slugs." You should have no more than 8-10.
4. Put only one idea from one source on a note card.
5. Use ink.
6. Write only on the front of the card.
7. Use the bibliography card number to identify the source. Put this in the upper right hand corner of the note card.
8. Identify the page number of the information you are noting.
9. Write the "slug" or topic of the information on the top line of the note card before you write the note.
10. Have information on a particular slug from a variety of sources.
11. Do not number note cards.
12. Take adequate notes.
13. Double check each note card before you go on.
14. Let your full thesis/slugs guide your note taking.
15. Think about the information before you write it down.
16. Add notes to yourself when applicable.
17. Evaluate your sources in light of relevance, timeliness, authorship, and bias.
18. DO NOT PLAGIARIZE! Use the BI Writing Style Book, pages 11-16. 6 Elizabeth staved off religious wars during her reign. Note about something Elizabeth did to stabilize 42 a situation that could have led to religious conflict.
Handout #3
Working Outline Guidelines
This step of the process is called the working outline because it is the outline you will work from to write your paper. It will not be included in the final paper itself.
1. Sort the note cards according to the slugs.
2. Make sure the outline follows the standard format. (Write for College page 116 shows proper outline form. See also the BI Style Book, pages 29-32.)
3. Have about an equal number of subheadings.
4. Consider the Roman numerals to be the topics of paragraphs or sections of the paper.
5. Use the outline to organize the body of the paper.
Your working outline must include the following:
*. A tentative title for the paper
* The complete introductory paragraph
* A sentence outline of the body paragraphs of the paper
*The complete concluding paragraph
Please either type the working outline or write it out neatly.
Final Guidelines
When preparing the final paper, don't forget to do the following:
1. Use transitions in good topic sentences
2. Give context to quotations
3. Maintain a consistent tone throughout (best accomplished by writing the paper at one sitting)
4. Check sentence structure for accuracy and variety
5. Check mechanics and usage (use Write for College)
6. Double space the entire paper
7. Avoid widows and orphans
8. Use correct parenthetical citations
9. Use a header on each page
10. Alphabetize the Works Cited
11. Check the Style Book for proper format for all parts of the paper
12. Have the paper ready to turn in when you come into class
Will This Assignment Never End? OR Last-Minute Do's and Don'ts for Format
1. Check the Writing Style Book for MLA Documentation Style, page 35+. In addition, the Writing Center has a copy of the full MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, if you have a question not covered in the BI book.
2. See pages 63-65 in the Writing Style Book for information on Preparing the Final Manuscript.
3. On pages 66-73 is a sample of a full research paper. The printer messed up the top of the pages, so ask if you don't understand what the header is or where it should be placed.
4. DO put a title on the first page of the text.
5. Use the section on Proofreading a Research Paper (74-75) to make a last check of every aspect of your paper.
Writer's Workshop Research Paper Writer's
Name___________________________________
Reader #1: Answer the following questions after fully reading over the draft once. Provide constructive and detailed observations that will help the writer improve his/her work.
1. Does the introduction provide adequate background and gradually lead to the thesis statement at the end of the paragraph?
2. Does each following paragraph begin with a strong transition? Do you immediately know if a pro or con is being discussed? Which format is being used by the writer?
3. Is each citation introduced and then explained afterward? Does any paragraph end with a citation? Do two or more citations ever come right after each other with no explanation? Are there any pieces of evidence that you don't understand?
4. Are the pro arguments clear? Are there four or more pros presented? Does the writer end with the strongest pro? Do the pros outweigh the cons?
5. Does the conclusion begin with the thesis? Does it briefly review all the pros? Does it end with a good concluding sentence, perhaps one that comments on the issue in a general way?
6. What suggestions for improvement can you give?
Reader #2: Answer the following questions after fully reading over the draft once. Make sure your responses are accurate and clear, since you are looking for the more technical and mechanical requirements of the paper.
1. Is this paper 12-point font with one-inch margins, double spaced? Is there any extra spacing? Are the headers where they should be and correctly numbered?
2. Check all of the citations. Are they done correctly? Are there four different sources/authors represented? Are there three to four citations per page?
3. How many pros are there? How many cons are there? Give a list of each.
4. Does the writer use contractions? Does he/she use first or second person ("I" or "you")? Does the writer stick with the same tense throughout the paper, or does he/she switch back and forth (for example, "is" and "was")?
NOTES TO YOURSELF (THE WRITER): What do you need to change? Do you need another trip to the Writing Center?
