Research Paper

ENGL 100 Fall 2020

Assignment 4 – Research Essay

Due Date Draft 1: Upload to eLearn by Tuesday, November 17th by 11:59pm for Peer

Review Workshop (no extensions!)

Final Due Date: Friday, November 27th at 11:59pm

Weight: 20%

Word Count: Approximately 1500 words (5-6 pages)

Assignment Description

This assignment asks you to use the skills from all of the lessons this term (summary, paraphrase, quotation, argumentation, synthesis, research) to compose a research essay that responds to a carefully constructed, feasible, original, and complex research question. Your essay will include a thesis statement that contributes in a meaningful way to the broader discussion of the topic; research from three different sources that is properly quoted or paraphrased, cited, and integrated into the paper; and a works cited that properly documents your sources.

This assignment asks the following of you:

· Write fluently and grammatically in a range of academic forms and genres

· Read actively and closely through annotating, elaborating, reflection, and questioning

· Summarize, paraphrase, and quote sources in written form

· Analyze and synthesize at the first-year university level

· Construct well-reasoned arguments employing effective rhetorical strategies in writing

· Explain the significance of global and local cultural issues raised in literary texts

· Demonstrate information literacy skills

· Document source material using professional styles (MLA)

Assignment Instructions

· Construct an essay with a research question and a meaningful, complex, and feasible thesis that incorporates relevant research to support your argument. Your essay should include an introduction, body paragraphs , a conclusion and a works cited.

· Use transitions to unify your paper and to connect your ideas.

· Include in-text citations for quotations and paraphrases and a Works Cited page.

Submission instructions and format

Your name

Instructor’s name

Course Code

Date of Submission

Title (make it interesting!)

Body of the essay goes below the title. Indent the beginning of each paragraph. Essay should be written in proper paragrpahs, 12 point, easy to read font such as Times New Roman. Use one inch margins and double spacing throughout the essay. Page numbers go in the top right corner of the page. Upload your assignment to eLearn as a Word or PDF docuemtn by Friday, November 27th by 11:59pm. Please save the file as: Lastname_Firstname_ENGL100_Assignment4.

(See below for evaluation rubric)

Assignment Evaluation

Content: Weak Competent Good Excellent

Introduction includes an attention-grabbing hook, background information that contextualizes the topic by answering the “so what” and “who cares” questions and a clearly stated, relevant, feasible, and meaningful thesis that includes a road map for the essay organization.

Body paragraphs begin with topic sentences, integrate research and relevant evidence, and connect the ideas to the thesis statement.

Conclusion summarizes the essay in new words and leaves the reader with something that provokes further contemplation and/or reflection.

As a whole, the essay demonstrates a critical engagement with the topic.

Direct quotations and paraphrase are used effectively.

Structure and Organization: Weak Competent Good Excellent

Clear organization and skillful transitions; ideas progress in a logical order

Body paragraphs correspond with road map provided in introduction

Style and Mechanics: Weak Competent Good Excellent

The writing is easy to read. Grammatical errors do not impede comprehension and sentence structure is correct. Papers should be nearly free of mechanical and typographical errors.

Transitions are used to link key points.

Quotations and paraphrases are integrated with signal phrases and explanatory sentences.

Correct MLA formatting is used for in-text citations and works cited.