research paper

Research Writing Assignment Guide English 1302

Immersed in an academic writing situation, a problem solver begins from a point-of-view, relies on inductive analysis, and communicates findings through descriptive writing skills that develop a viable theory.

Objectives • Utilize inductive reasoning and analytical writing forms

• Ensure well-developed paragraphs and coherence in MLA research style

• Navigate the research writing process

Directions 1. Complete assigned lessons in eCampus

2. Complete a rough draft

3. Complete the Peer Review Assignment

4. Complete revisions with the help of the Writing Center, tutors, and editors

5. Submit your final composition to eCampus before the deadline

Required Sources You are required to cite at least five sources, one from each of the following categories:

One observation source: Observe the setting and participants involved in your research project,

create notes of your observations, and quote these notes in your paper.

One interview source: Interview an expert related to your research project, transcribe your questions

and your interviewee’s answers into an interview transcript, and quote your interviewee in your paper.

One book source: Find and cite one book from a library (college, personal, city) or bookstore.

One peer-reviewed article source: Find and cite one peer-reviewed journal article from the college

library’s database. NOTE: Newspapers, magazines, encyclopedias, dictionaries, and websites are not peer-reviewed.

One photo, artistic representation, graph, table, or similar visual source:

Embed and cite a visual image as a source. Capture a photograph or personally create an illustration,

table, or graph. Do not copy images from the internet. You must create and own any image you

embed in your paper. All other images will be rejected.

Artifacts and Source Verification Process You are required to share your artifacts and verify your sources by attaching your Observation Notes,

Interview Transcript, and photographs of your book and journal article passages in the following manner:

1. Create a set of Observation Notes and at least one Interview Transcript and attach them behind your

Works Cited page. 2. Photograph the cover, title page, and all pages you are citing from your book source.

3. Photograph the title page and pages you are citing from your journal article.

4. Highlight the text you are citing from your book and journal article using your favorite software.

5. Paste your photographed sources behind your Observation Notes and Interview Transcript.

WARNING: If I cannot match your sources to your in-text citations, then I will assume you are plagiarizing

and/or refusing to meet the objectives of the assignment, and I will reject your paper.

Format Write a minimum of 1200 words and a maximum of 1500 words according to MLA guidelines for research

papers. Include a Works Cited page, but do not include a cover page.

Final Submission and Extra-credit 1. If you worked with the Writing Center and wish to receive extra-credit, attach a photograph of your

Writing Center stamp or OWL report at the end of your digital copy.

2. Click the Submit Compositions button, click the submission link, and upload your digital copy before

the deadline.

WARNING: Do not upload multiple files to eCampus. Do not email me photos of your sources. I will

accept, open, and grade one file only.

Penalties or Rejection Compositions will be penalized or rejected in the following cases:

• Plagiarized paper

• Does not address one of the required topics and/or the objectives

• Late or missing submission to eCampus

• Incorrectly formatted in MLA (incorrect file format and/or rhetorical form)

• Missing documentation (missing sources, missing Works Cited page, missing in-text citations)

• Missing source verification (missing transcripts and/or missing photographed sources)

• Unverifiable sources (no highlighting to match sources and/or I cannot match sources)

• Missing one or more of the required sources

Research Topics You are required to choose one of the following research topics. If the following descriptions do not meet

your needs, please ask for clarification or propose an adjustment before proceeding with your project.

Research an Interesting Person Research aspects of a person’s life experience either in the past or the present. This should be something

unique, extraordinary, or impressive. Focus on discovering and understanding how this person experienced or

is experiencing life. For example, you may ask the question, “How does Jenny experience cancer, and what

does survival mean for her?” Include a photo or artistic representation of Jenny living through her health

challenge. Do not tell Jenny’s life story; rather, focus on how and why her experience with cancer shapes her life, creates an identity for her, and helps her know herself.

Other ideas include researching a person who volunteers at a prison, a food pantry, or an animal sanctuary.

You may research a person with an exceptionally dangerous job, a former inmate who now helps convicts

assimilate into society, a person who lobbies politicians, or a person who fights climate change. Maybe you

would like to research a person with a very interesting hobby such as skydiving (unless you are too chicken to

try it). Capture photos or create artistic interpretations of the experience.

You must have access to this person. Do not research a famous person such as the president of the United States, a movie star, or war hero unless you personally know this person and you can interview him or her for

this research project.

Research an Interesting Space, Place, or Environment Go to a park, a wildlife sanctuary, the Apple Store, a building, a bus depot, a homeless shelter, or any

interesting place. Observe the environment and begin to discover and understand this place. Observe your

relationship or another person’s relationship to this space and interview that person interacting and living in

this space. For example, you may ask, “How do North Lake students experience the college’s landscape?”

Search your own perceptions and discover how other students see the landscape. Or, you may ask, “How does

the city council view the downtown park?” The park may be a potential source of income (the city can charge

visitors a fee), but a homeless person sees the park as shelter. You may see the park as a second home, a

place where you play basketball with your friends. What do these various perspectives mean? Research the

meaning of this space by creating and capturing images.

Research an Interesting Event Reflect on an interesting event you experienced in the past or you are currently experiencing now. This may

include a concert, a Quinceanera, an awkward wedding, a shocking funeral, immigration to America, a political

rally, a protest, a near death experience. Please do not research your summer vacation; rather, research how

and why an interesting event is shaping your life now, provides meaning to you, and helps fashion your

identity. You may ask, “How do I experience Beyoncé concerts?” Consider who you go with, when and why

you go with particular people, and how you might think or feel both at the concert and after the concert. You

may use old photos or capture new ones as artifacts.

Official NLC English Department Research Rubric

Criteria Unacceptable (0-7) Developing (8-13) Average (14-15) Good (16-17) Exemplary (18-20) Topic/ Thesis/ Content

Lacks a debatable thesis. Topic is inappropriate for the assignment Represents a seemingly random collection of information.

A debatable claim is not evident. Analysis is vague or not evident and/or the paragraphs are not well developed. Reader is confused or may be misinformed. Topic may be inappropriate for the assignment

Thesis is focused on an appropriate topic and is adequately stated. Essay’s purpose is evident and paragraphs are well developed. Information supports an argument but sometimes may drift off point. Analysis is basic or general. Reader gains a few insights.

Thesis is clearly, logically, and effectively stated and developed. Essay achieves its purpose. Information provides reasonable support for an argument and displays evidence of a basic analysis of a significant topic. Reader gains some meaningful insights. Shows imagination in its approach to its topic.

Creatively, clearly, and logically states and develops its thesis and achieves its purpose. Presents clear, logical, and thought- provoking ideas. Balanced presentation of relevant and legitimate information that clearly the argument and shows a reasoned in-depth analysis of a significant topic. Reader gains important insights.

Organization Illogically organized.

The reader cannot identify a line of reasoning and loses interest.

The writing is not logically organized. Frequently, ideas fail to make sense together. Lacks transitions.

The writing is

arranged logically and uses adequate transitions, although occasionally ideas may fail to make sense together. The reader is clear about what the writer intends.

Ideas are arranged logically

and clearly linked to each other to support the argument so the reader can follow the line of reasoning. Consistently employs appropriate transitions.

The ideas are arranged

logically to support the argument. They flow smoothly from one to another and are clearly linked to each other. The reader can follow the line of reasoning. Uses surprising but appropriate transitions.

Quality of References

There are virtually no sources that are professionally reliable. The reader seriously doubts the value of the material and stops reading.

Many of the sources are questionable or are incorrectly used. The reader questions the value of the material.

Some of the references are from sources that are not peer-reviewed and have uncertain reliability. The reader doubts the accuracy of some of the material presented.

Although most of the references are professionally legitimate, a few are questionable (e.g., trade books, popular magazines, etc.). The reader is uncertain of the reliability of some of the sources.

References are primarily peer- reviewed professional journals or other approved. The reader is confident that the information and ideas can be trusted.

Use of Sources/ MLA Documentation

References are missing or incorrectly used. Information is cited to the wrong source or is plagiarized. No adherence to MLA guidelines. No Work Cited page.

References are seldom cited to support statements. Attribution and quotation marks are missing where required. Inaccurate Work Cited page. Lack of adherence to MLA guidelines undermines integrity of essay.

Attribution usually given, but some statements may be undocumented causing confusion about the source of some information and ideas. Work/s Cited may contain inaccuracies which do not compromise the integrity of essay.

Professionally legitimate sources that support claims are generally present and attribution is, for the most part, clear and fairly represented. Consistent adherence to MLA guidelines; accurate Works Cited page.

Compelling evidence from professionally legitimate sources supports claims. Attribution is clear. Consistent adherence to MLA guidelines; accurate Work Cited page.

Grammar/ Mechanics

Contains errors in spelling, punctuation, and grammar that interfere with understanding.

Contains distracting errors in spelling, punctuation, and grammar that reduce understanding.

Contains few errors in spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

Contains infrequent errors in spelling, punctuation, and/or grammar.

Writing is free from distracting errors in spelling, punctuation, and grammar.