Term Paper

Topic sentence 1 EX: First, all students attending Baltimore City Community College (BCCC) should be required to take English 101 to develop critical thinking skills.

Main point 2 (one sentence) – All students attending Baltimore City Community College (BCCC) should be required to take English 101 to improve writing skills.

Topic sentence 2 EX: Moreover, all students attending Baltimore City Community College (BCCC) should be required to take English 101 to improve writing skills.

Main point 3 (one sentence) – All students attending Baltimore City Community College (BCCC) should be required to take English 101 to expand vocabulary.

Topic sentence 3 EX: Additionally, all students attending Baltimore City Community

College (BCCC) should be required to take English 101 to expand vocabulary.

Main point 4 (one sentence) – All students attending Baltimore City Community College (BCCC) should be required to take English 101 to expose students to the different genres of writing.

Topic sentence 4 EX: Furthermore, all students attending Baltimore City Community

College (BCCC) should be to expose students to the different genres of writing.

Main point 5 (one sentence) – All students attending Baltimore City Community College (BCCC) should be required to take English 101 to ensure they can transfer to any other accredited college/university.

Topic sentence 5 EX: Lastly, all students attending Baltimore City Community

College (BCCC) should be to ensure they can transfer to any other accredited

college/university

.

Sources:

Your essay should contain the following elements:

1. An Abstract (5-8 sentences) that summarizes your essay;

2. A clear thesis statement (one sentence).

3. An Introduction paragraph (5-6 sentences);

4. Five Supporting paragraphs (7-8 sentences) that clearly state and discuss the main points;

5. A Concluding paragraph (4-5 sentences) that summarizes and brings the essay to a close without adding any new information;

6. Five sources (four sources must be from the BCCC database).

7. Each source must be used in the essay in the form of a paraphrase, quote, and/ or summarization at least two times. In the end, you should have a minimum of ten in-text citations;

8. and a separate Reference page with five correct, full citations.

1. Do not use encyclopedia articles, Wikipedia, or sources dated prior to 2011 (without my permission).

2. Use one source from the Internet (Use caution when selecting material from the Internet. Remember what you read in the text regarding selecting reputable sources.) MOST - .org sites are reputable, and any - .gov, and .edu sites are reputable sources. Contact me to discuss any sources you are not sure about using.

Problems you want to avoid:

· Using another person's work without giving them credit for it (plagiarism).

· Not making the purpose of your essay clear by including a clear and concise thesis statement.

· Not supporting your thesis statement with main points that are well developed and add value to the reader’s understanding.

· Presenting a list of facts rather than organizing material into a coherent essay.

· Dealing with too many facts rather than limiting the scope of the paper.

Format:

· Length – 1250 - 1400 words (approximately 5 typed pages)

· Bold the thesis statement and the Support paragraph topic sentences and

concluding sentences.

· Include a separate Cover page (1st page)

· Include a separate Abstract page (2nd page)

· Include separate Reference page (last page)

· Indent all paragraphs

· Double space the entire document

· Include a Running Head and page number atop of each page.

Evaluation: You must have a clearly stated and identifiable thesis statement and supporting evidence/ examples in you supporting paragraphs. In addition, an introduction, body (supporting paragraphs), and a conclusion are mandatory. Keep in mind that evidence, facts, examples, observations, and details strengthen your essay.

A good response will demonstrate an ability to articulate a clear position on the assigned topic, organize information, sustain a discussion for several paragraphs, develop your premises, support claims with evidence, and express ideas clearly. In the end, having written at least two drafts, you should submit a well written and polished essay.

Rubric:

The student:

--(0-10 points) follows directions (submitted on-time, meets word requirement, bolds the thesis statement and Support paragraph topic sentences and concluding sentences, etc.)

--(0-10 points) includes a correct Abstract (5-8) sentences, summarizes the essay

--(0-15 points) correctness, content, and organization of the 5 Support paragraphs (7-8 sentences, supports the thesis statement, includes a Topic sentence and a Concluding sentence with the correct transition words, etc.)

· Each Support paragraph begins with a correct transition word (First, In addition, Moreover, Additionally, Also, Furthermore, Lastly)

· Each concluding sentence begins with a correct transition word (All in all, Therefore, Consequently, To that end, Thus, Subsequently, Undoubtedly, Hence)

--(0-10 points) Concluding paragraph (4-5 sentences, summarizes, does not introduce any new information, etc., and begins with a correct transition word such as (In summary, To summarize, In conclusion, To conclude)

--(0-10 points) uses correct writing conventions (Grammar, punctuation, spelling, capitalization, etc.)

--(0-10 points) uses appropriate style and expression – does not use you, your, we, our, us, I, my, or me, contractions, use varying sentence structures (uses an academic language and tone)/

--(0-15 points) uses correct APA Style format (i.e. cover page, abstract, Running head, citation format, double-space, indent paragraphs, etc.)

--(0-15 points) includes at least 10 correct in-text citations (cites all paraphrases, quotes, and summarization, and they are well integrated into the text)

--(0-10 points) includes a separate reference page with correct full citations (5 or more sources)

--(0-10 points) Overall essay (includes exhibiting coherence and flow with the use of varied sentence structure and transitional words & phrases (such as however, for example, nevertheless, consequently, etc.)

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