research paper
Research Paper Rough Draft / Final Draft
Write a 2,500 – 3,500 word paper (8-10 pages, excluding Works Cited) defending a thesis that is the answer to your research question, using outside sources and documenting them according to MLA rules. The grade for both the rough draft and the final draft will be graded using these criteria.
Thesis
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· Arguable, descriptive, unified
· Specific to scope of paper
· Answers the research question
Evidence
· Sufficient, relevant, representative
Quantity and Type of Sources
· Minimum of 8 sources:
· Minimum of 4 scholarly sources
· Minimum of 4 sources from approved library research databases
· Reference works and dictionaries may be used BUT don’t count in 8 sources.
· Sources are adequate and appropriate to topic
Use of Sources
· Use of summaries, paraphrases, quotations, critiques.
Reasoning
· Terms are defined.
· How conclusions follow from evidence is explained.
· Assumptions are valid; conclusions follow from evidence.
Organization
· Material is grouped appropriately.
· Organized point by point, not source by source.
· Focus is maintained throughout.
· Transitions are effective.
· Introduction and conclusion are effective.
· Relationships among ideas are clear.
Language
· Most of the paper is in your own words.
· Quotations are completely accurate, very few, short (one sentence) quotations, with correct punctuation and grammar are allowed.
· The mechanics (punctuation, spelling and grammar) of the paper are correct.
· The style is objective, formal, concise, precise and varied.
MLA documentation
· Correct in-text citations
· Complete and correct Works Cited, listing only those sources you have used in your paper, on a separate page at the end of the essay (MLA style).
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Research Paper Rough Draft |
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Thesis: Arguable, descriptive, unified, specific to scope of paper, answers the research question.
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Evidence: Sufficient, representative, relevant.
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Sources: 8 minimum (5 from approved data bases, 3 scholarly). All are appropriate to topic. Adequate information to prove thesis.
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Use of sources: Include summaries, paraphrases, quotations, critiques as needed.
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Reasoning: Terms are defined. Explains how conclusions follow from evidence. Assumptions are valid. Conclusions follow from evidence.
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Organization: Material is grouped appropriately. Organized point by point, not source by source. Focus is maintained throughout. Transitions are effective. Introduction, conclusion are effective. Relationships among ideas are clear.
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Language: Majority of the paper is in your own words. Quotations - completely accurate, few, brief, correct punctuation and grammar. Mechanics (punctuation, spelling, grammar) of the paper are correct. Style is objective, formal, concise, precise, varied.
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MLA documentation: Correct in-text citations. Complete, correct works cited, listing only those sources you have used in your paper at the end of the essay (MLA style). |
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