6 page research paper multiple dates MLA format
MDC
Summer B 2020
Professor McCormick
Final Research Project Assignment Sheet
Assignment: Student will produce a 6 page research paper based on the question of their choice from the
approved topics below.
Your paper must be a research driven, meaning you will need to consult sources other than your text book
(based on appropriate and credible academic sources) to help develop context and content for your research
paper. You MUST incorporate at least two quotes from at least one of the sources you consult in your paper,
failure to do so will result in a lower grade.
There are several steps in the research production process, all of which must be completed for full credit. The
component parts are: 1) Thesis Statement; 2) Rough Draft 3); Final Draft; 4) Works Cited/Parenthetical
Notation and MLA Format.
While these writing assignments together represent a large portion of your grade, each step is an opportunity to
address your strengths and weaknesses, and help to orient your progress throughout the process of your paper
(hopefully, also helping you produce a better grade and get through the mire of procrastination!).
1) Your Thesis statement is due on Thursday, August 6th, 2020
For this initial part of the assignment, you will produce a thoughtful thesis statement on a topic of your
choice. Remember that you will probably modify your thesis… your research and writing will help to
guide your ideas. Please ask your peers, your mentor, and your instructor if you are unsure of how to do
this.
Remember, as well, that a thesis statement is not a contract. A thesis will and should change as the
student progress through the research journey. Professor will receive feedback on the appropriateness of
the thesis, whether the scale of the project is workable, as well as other specific feedback pertaining to
each student given thesis
2) Rough Draft due on Monday, August 10th, 2020.
Good writing is a process. An integral part of a good writing process is drafting and revision. Getting
and giving feedback on writing in progress helps develop your individual writing project as well as
overall writing skill. The better developed one’s rough draft, the more useful feedback will be.
Professor will offer targeted feedback, but WILL NOT EDIT or CORRECT rough drafts. Feedback
should be used to guide the revisions that will lead to a polished final paper. There will likely be
revisions needed.
3) Final Draft due on Thursday August 13th, 2020. Submit your revised, final and well-edited paper.
4) Your research project will receive a separate grade for the Works Cited page and adherence to MLA formatting for parenthetical notation within your paper.
Assignment Schedule
Thesis statement due August 6th, 2020
Rough Draft due August 10th, 2020
Final Draft with Works Cited due August 13th, 2020.
Grading: You will be graded on adherence to MLA formatting (*without a cover page*), mechanics (such as
spelling, punctuation, correct quotations, grammar), clear and concise writing, legitimacy of sources, use of
research, depth of analysis, and coherence of thought (See Rubric).
Research Topics
(Choose one of the questions below; all works can be found in your textbook)
1. How are the roles of men and women portrayed in the short story “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin? Are they distinctly different? Do they have equal rights? What gender expectations do they
follow or fight against? What sort of commentary was Chopin making about the gender politics of her
time?
2. How does Faulkner portray the change in the social structure of the American South in the early twentieth century in his short story, “A Rose for Emily?”
3. How does Updike offer commentary on a consumer driven society that contradicts his character Sammy’s ideas in the short story, “The A&P?”
4. The doctrine of sin and evil are most often present in Flannery O'Connor's fiction, such as her short stories “A Good Man is Hard to Find” and “Good Country People,” to name a few. Is the grotesque
nature of her stories there to awaken the reader to the state of fallenness in the world? And in doing so,
is she promoting or questioning religious beliefs? What beliefs is it promoting or questioning?
5. How does Dagoberto Gilb portray hyper-masculinity and masculine insecurity in works like “Shout” and “Love in LA?”