Research Paper Assignment
Your research paper must be on a controversial topic. You should select a topic you have an opinion about so that you will be able to defend one side of the controversy in the paper. Only one person per class per topic will be allowed. Topics will be assigned on a first come, first served basis. Step two of writing your research paper is to develop a preliminary or working thesis. Your thesis should be a combination of fact and opinion. It is what the body of the paper will “prove” to the reader. (25 points each)
Due: 1/19
Step three is to do your research. For this paper you need at least three (3) sources. (Ideally, you should consider at least twice that number, so you can choose the best three to use in your paper.) Of these three, no more than one can be an online source that is not full-text material. As you do your research, you may find you need to adjust your thesis to fit the information you have located. A preliminary Works Cited page detailing your three (or more) sources needs to be prepared. (100 points) (MLA Quick Guide)
Due: 1/31
Step four is to create an outline. The outline needs to include the information you will be using as concrete details in your body paragraphs. You cannot submit either draft of your essay without first submitting this outline. (100 points) (outline example)
Due: 2/2
Step five is to write a first draft. Your first paragraph should contain your thesis statement. Your first draft should be between four and six typed, double-spaced pages. (Note: the Works Cited page does not count as one of the 4-6 pages.) It needs to include at least one direct quotation from each of your cited sources. For these quotations you need to use proper internal documentation. You need to include a finalized version of your Works Cited page. Your paper will be edited in class the day it is due. (200 points)
Due: 2/6
Step six is submit your paper electronically to Turn-It-In (instructions are on another sheet). (100 points)
Due: 2/6
The last step is to prepare a final draft. It needs to contain all the components of your other draft as well as a title. Make sure to fix all the identified errors in your second draft as well as make use of the improvement suggestions. (500 points) Submit to TurnItIn.com.
Due: 2/10
Student Example
Your research paper must be on a controversial topic. You should select a topic you have an opinion about so that you will be able to defend one side of the controversy in the paper. Only one person per class per topic will be allowed. Topics will be assigned on a first come, first served basis. Step two of writing your research paper is to develop a preliminary or working thesis. Your thesis should be a combination of fact and opinion. It is what the body of the paper will “prove” to the reader. (25 points each)
Due: 1/19
Step three is to do your research. For this paper you need at least three (3) sources. (Ideally, you should consider at least twice that number, so you can choose the best three to use in your paper.) Of these three, no more than one can be an online source that is not full-text material. As you do your research, you may find you need to adjust your thesis to fit the information you have located. A preliminary Works Cited page detailing your three (or more) sources needs to be prepared. (100 points) (MLA Quick Guide)
Due: 1/31
Step four is to create an outline. The outline needs to include the information you will be using as concrete details in your body paragraphs. You cannot submit either draft of your essay without first submitting this outline. (100 points) (outline example)
Due: 2/2
Step five is to write a first draft. Your first paragraph should contain your thesis statement. Your first draft should be between four and six typed, double-spaced pages. (Note: the Works Cited page does not count as one of the 4-6 pages.) It needs to include at least one direct quotation from each of your cited sources. For these quotations you need to use proper internal documentation. You need to include a finalized version of your Works Cited page. Your paper will be edited in class the day it is due. (200 points)
Due: 2/6
Step six is submit your paper electronically to Turn-It-In (instructions are on another sheet). (100 points)
Due: 2/6
The last step is to prepare a final draft. It needs to contain all the components of your other draft as well as a title. Make sure to fix all the identified errors in your second draft as well as make use of the improvement suggestions. (500 points) Submit to TurnItIn.com.
Due: 2/10
Student Example
