research paper

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· The Research Paper

Research Paper Guidelines

Late research papers will not be accepted.

 

Research Paper Instructions:

Select a research question.  This question will serve as the topic that you will explore and center on throughout your research. Please email me at  [email protected]  so I may approve your topic.

Then, prepare an essay of argumentation that focuses on some aspect of the issue.  Remember—you must take a position about this issue and you MUST include a clear claim that centers on your position.  Place the claim as the last sentence of the introductory paragraph.

Guidelines:

· Your research project essay will need to be between eight (full) to ten pages in length.

· You must address an issue that has at least two sides (email me for topics if you're not sure)

· Effectively address the rhetorical situation - audience, purpose, context

· articulate a clear position regarding the issue and argue that position with logical reasons

· adequately develop the argument using credible support (research)

· acknowledge the opposing viewpoints and employ counterargument or concession

· identify and explain the assumptions, contexts, and consequences of the various positions.

· Utilize at least 10 credible sources - from scholarly databases, books, etc. (no google .com sources)

· MLA formatting

· Read and carefully follow all of the guidelines for MLA on the purdue OWL website.  https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/

· You will need to incorporate  10 outside sources (Note: dictionary.com does not constitute a source. into the essay—use paraphrase and/or direct quotations).  From these sources at least 4 need to be books and the rest may be database articles, documentaries, etc.

· You will need a Works Cited page at the end of your essay that includes the 8 – 10 sources.

· Follow these style specifics:

13. Only write in third person

13. Do not use contractions

13. Follow all MLA guidelines

Research:

Your research will be for the following reasons:

. To establish background or preliminary information.

. To support an assertion with facts, statistics, or professional information.

. To exemplify an idea with testimony, examples, and the like.

. To support the claim

Process:

. Select a topic that you will enjoy researching and writing about

. Read and explore this topic carefully—what are the positions already expressed about this issue?

. Select a specific position that you will assert in your claim.  This will be a working claim that can evolve with your research and growing understanding of your topic.

. Begin prewriting activities (i.e., brainstorming to find out everything you already know about this topic, asking questions, further researching this topic)

. Research extensively: include citations or paraphrases.   Vary your resources. Do not depend solely on Internet resources—points will be deducted for not using other resources such as books, handbooks, journal articles.

. Limit web resources to those that include one of these suffixes: edu, .gov., or .org (unbiased).  For any other Internet resources, discuss with me before using.

. Wikipedia is not an acceptable website for this paper.

Other guidelines:

. For this paper you must use  at least 8 - 10 outside sources (Note: dictionary.com does not count as a source).

. A clear claim needs to be composed

. Present at least three reasons to show the logic of your position.  Develop each reason thoroughly.

. Write in third person (he, she, him, her, his, hers, they, their, them, etc.)  NO first or second person.

. Works Cited—this is part of the document and should appear as the last page of the document. Document the sources and place in alphabetical order.

 

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Research Paper Grading Rubric

Research Paper Grading Rubric

Introduction / Claim / Thesis	Exceptional introduction that grabs interest of reader and clearly states topic. Claim is exceptionally clear, well-developed, and a definitive statement.	Proficient introduction that is interesting and states topic. Claim is clear and arguable statement of position.	Basic introduction that states topic but lacks interest. Claim is somewhat clear and arguable.	Weak or no introduction of topic. Paper’s purpose is unclear/thesis is weak or missing.
Content Knowledge and Quality of Research	Essay is exceptionally researched, contains a minimum of 10 sources that relate to the thesis argument in a logical manner.	Information relates to the main topic. Essay, is well-researched in detail and from 10 good sources.	Information relates to the main topic, but few details and/or examples are given. Shows a limited variety of sources.	Information has little or nothing to do with the thesis. Research has weak or no connection to the thesis
Content Application: Support of Claim and argument and analysis	Exceptionally critical, relevant and consistent connections made between evidence and thesis. Excellent analysis.	Consistent connections made between evidence and thesis Good analysis.	Some connections made between evidence and thesis. Some analysis.	Limited or no connections made between evidence and thesis. Lack of analysis.
Writing Mechanics	Writing is clear and relevant, with no grammatical and/or spelling errors – polished and professional.	Most ideas are stated clearly and are related to the topic, with only minor grammatical and/or spelling errors.	Many ideas require clarification and/or are off-topic or have marginal relevance to the assignment. Many grammatical and/or spellings errors throughout the paper. The paper is very challenging to read due to poor writing flow.	Paper does not meet the criteria for the assignment (too short or incomplete, too long, and/or completely off-topic).
MLA and Formatting	Excellent formatting, reference page, and citation according to MLA requirements.	Reference page, formatting, and citation according to MLA is well done with minor errors.	Reference page, formatting, and citation according to MLA has major errors.	There is no Reference page and/or citations and/or formatting according to MLA.

 

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5. The Rough Draft

This video walks you through the process of creating an outline for your Research Paper. Once you have an outline in place it is time to begin writing that rough draft. But first the outline:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lque6j9uGrY

Here is a link to help you compose your rough draft:

http://www.write.com/writing-guides/research-writing/writing-process/writing-the-rough-draft/

As you work on this paper do remember that I expect at least 4 full pages of your paper as your rough draft. Do not submit an outline. It must be a draft.

The Rough Draft must be submitted in 2 places:

1. To the link below (RD) 2. To the Peer Review Discussion Board link below

The minimum requirements of the Rough Draft are:

1. Minimum 4 pages  2. MLA formatted and saved as a Word document  3. Works Cited page must be the 5th page  4. It cannot be an outline - it must be a rough draft. If you are unsure as to what a rough draft looks like then please refer to Chapter 2.3 of your textbook.