Roney 1
English 10, 5.0
Critical Research Paper Guide
Name: ___________________
Note: Information is courtesy of the Purdue University Writing Lab, faculty of NPHS English Department and NPHS IMC
DUE DATE FOR CRITICAL PAPER: Monday, May 9th! NO EXCEPTIONS!
SOURCES FOR HELP:
Mrs. Roney
 Resources (handouts and/or on Mrs. Roney’s web page):
o North Penn School District Writing Guide for Students (hint: parents/guardians and teachers, too!) We will refer
to it constantly, so print it out or have it opened electronically while you are working.
o Critical Research Paper Guide
o Critical Research Paper Handouts from Mrs. Roney
o Appendices and other handout with additional information. We are going “green” on my teacher website.
 Questions and extra help
o E-mail: roneya@npenn.org
o 9TH Periods: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays except 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month due to Keystone
Meetings.
o X-Periods: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 2:12-2:52 PM. Activity Bus: Monday, Wednesdays, and
Thursdays at 4 PM.
 ID # and password for turnitin.com = ID # ___________ & Password - roneya
IMC
 We will spend some classes in the IMC and/or a computer lab, but you cannot count on this time to complete all the
work and expectations for the Critical Research Paper.
 Passes to IMC:
o Lunch Periods & Study Halls – IMC Pass for duration of project will be provided
o 9th Period: Must get green pass from IMC in the morning.
o After School: Check IMC Schedule
 IMC Web Page – which can be accessed from any computer (home or school): www.npenn.org / “Select a School” /
“North Penn High School” / “Library”
o North Penn School District Writing Guide: Left Hand side “North Penn School District Writing Guide”
o Data Bases – Research. See Handout from IMC for home access OR access from IMC.
o Noodle Tools - “Left Hand side “Bibliography Help” OR Noodle Tools Handout
 Works Cited List = help with creating citations
 Note cards = primary and secondary sources
 Outline
Writing Lab – Computer Lab E139
 Every day from 2:30 -3:315; except Mondays and 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month. Check the schedule.
 English Teachers are available to help. (Students who take advantage of this resource usually score at least a grade
higher on the final paper.
You will need:
 Time to work outside of class at home and in school during study halls, lunch studies, or after school.
 Access to computer, printer, on-line research, and turnitin.com
 A good on-line or hard copy of a thesaurus or dictionary for Thread Words.
Graded Work:
 Pre-writing assignments and handouts as directed and distributed
 Pre-research to finalize topic and research question
 Thesis Statement and Body Topic Statements
 Outline and Notecards (Noodle Tools)
 Rough Drafts of sections of your paper: Introduction, Body Sections 1, 2, 3, and Conclusion
 Other work as needed for successful completion of the Critical Research Paper.
Critical Research Paper Guide
Roney 2
Final paper submitted with RUBRIC STAPLED TO FRONT
 FORMAT:
o Number of TEXT pages = FOUR (4) – SIX (6); no more, no less.
o Use of Thread Words
o Use underlined Vocabulary words for extra credit
¼ EXTRA CREDIT point
for underlined vocabulary
o Stapled in the upper left-hand corner
word used correctly
o Font: Times New Roman 12 point only typed on white paper; one side
o Entire Paper (including Work Cited Page) - Double spaced with one inch (1”) margins
o First Page = Approved English Department Heading and pagination
o Correct pagination for all pages: (See APPENDIX B)
o Works Cited Page (See APPENDIX C1 & C2)
 www.TURNITIN.COM: Final Paper submitted to: ID #: __________ - Password: roneya (case sensitive)
2015-2016 English 10, 5.0 Grading Policies in effect:
(reprinted from policy distributed at the beginning of the course)
Papers/Portfolios/Projects/Presentations: Expectations and requirements for any class papers, projects, portfolios,
presentations, homework, and/or critical research papers are provided at the beginning of the assignment.
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Failure to hand in the paper or project or present the presentation on the day it is due will result in a failure which may
result in a failure for that marking period.
Technique and Assignment points are earned along the way as students are taught an assignment process such as outlining,
primary note taking, secondary note taking, rough draft, and final format as determined by MLA (Modern Language
Association) guidelines
Students may be required to submit portions of the assignment prior to the final submission or presentation. Retroactive
grades may not be given to assignments that were not submitted prior to the final submission even if they are included with
the final submission.
Proper MLA Works Cited lists must be submitted as directed to pass writing assignments.
Failure to turn in any assignment that is required to be submitted to turnitin.com may result in a failure of that assignment
and may result in a failure for the marking period.
Any assignment that is discovered to be plagiarized by the teacher or turnitin.com will be reviewed as per the NPSD policy.
If the paper or project is determined to be plagiarized, the student will receive a “0” on the paper or project, if it is a first
offence or if it is not the first offense the NPSD Plagiarism policy will be followed.
Assignments that are deemed as plagiarized under the NPSD policy may NOT be re-written & re-submitted and an
alternative assignment may not be substituted.
Late Submission of Work: Any assignment, project, or presentation will NOT be accepted after the due date as outlined
by the teacher, unless covered by the excused absence policy. Any student experiencing a scheduling or personal problem
that may interfere with a submission or performance is expected to see Mrs. Roney at least ONE week prior to the due date
to possibly negotiate an extension.
Turnitin.com: Students are required to submit formal compositions or critical papers as directed by the teacher to
turnitin.com by the same day that the paper copy is due. Information will be given on this process.
Failure to submit an electronic version of the paper to turnitin.com and printed copy of the paper from turnitin.com
to the teacher will result in a failure for that paper and/or marking period. Any paper that is plagiarized is an
automatic “0” and may result in failing the marking period.
Refer to the Administrative Regulations for Plagiarism.
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Failure to submit to turnitin.com by date submitted is an automatic “0”.
Computer or printer problems are NOT acceptable excuses.
Please share this information with your parent and/or guardian and have them sign below that they understand the
Critical Research Paper assignment. Ultimately, the Critical Research Paper is your responsibility.
_______________________________ __________
_______________________________ __________
Student Signature
Parent/Guardian Signature
Date
Date
_______________________________ __________
_______________________________ __________
Student Printed name
Parent/Guardian Printed Name
Date
Date
Critical Research Paper Guide
Roney 3
REMEMBER: The Critical Research Paper MUST be submitted on due date!
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IF YOU FAILTO SUBMIT A CRITICAL RESEARCH PAPER, YOU MAY FAIL THE MARKING PERIOD.
STUDENTS GUILTY OF PLAIGARISM RECIEVE A ZERO FOR THE ENTIRE PROJECT & MAY FAIL
THE MARKING PERIOD.
WRITING THE CRITICAL RESEARCH PAPER
Check List & Expectations of the Critical Research Paper:
We will be working on your Critical Research Paper by “chunking” the tasks necessary to organize research, write, edit,
and submit your final work to Mrs. Roney and turnitin.com.
OBJECTIVE: Students will be able to select a theme and protagonist from TWO (2) listed literary sources we have read
this year: then construct a Research Question that compares and contrasts the theme and two protagonists.
After preliminary research, the Research Question will be rewritten as a Thesis Statement which will become the basis for
an Outline and finally the Critical Research Paper which will effectively argue the Thesis, using primary and secondary
source examples and quotes.
The Critical Research Paper must also suggest counter argument(s) to the Thesis and refute them.
These are the steps (classwork and homework) you will follow as per the North Penn School District Writing Guide to
successfully complete your Critical Research Paper:
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Tutorial in IMC to introduce you to all the resources available to you and how to use them
Set up your shared Noodle Tools account OR begin paper/pencil process
Topic Selection
Craft and Revise a Thesis/Research Question
Gather Information
 Identifying primary and secondary sources
 Evaluating the validity of the sources
 Take Notes & Analyze the information on Noodle Tools OR Noodle Tools Handout
 Direct Quotation
 Paraphrase and Summary
 My Ideas
 Develop an Outline on Noodle Tools OR Noodle Tools Handout
 Synthesize the information from sources
 Finalize the Outline
 Document Sources and Prepare Works Cited List sometimes also called the Bibliography
 NP IMC website
 Works cited preparation
 Submit the final copy
 Turnitin.com
 Mrs. Roney (hard copy in the format as outlined above)
IMC Research:
In the IMC you will learn how to:
 Find and access essays and scholarly works, called Secondary Sources, to support your thesis for your topic, including
 databases for scholarly essays and works.
 books, periodicals, and other “print” sources to find essays and scholarly works to support your thesis.
 Explore how to read and access information from the secondary works you identify for your Critical Research Paper.
Requirements for Secondary Sources:
 You must have THREE (3) different sources.
 You must have TWO (2) quotes from each Secondary Source. (You can have more!)
Critical Research Paper Guide
Roney 4

Doing the math (yes, math in English class), you must have SIX (6) Secondary Notecards on Noodle Tools by the
end of your research in the IMC!
 Secondary Sources you may NOT use:
 Do NOT use dictionaries or encyclopedias as sources for your paper.
 Do NOT use Cliff Notes, Spark Notes, Monarch Notes, or other non-academic sources for your secondary sources.
 Do NOT use Wikipedia!
 Do NOT Google for additional sources!
 Do NOT use someone’s personal blog, another student’s essay, or other writings that are not contained in
scholarly sources.
 You will also have time in the IMC (and possibly a computer lab) to identify Primary Source example and quotes.
Homework time must be used to also complete your primary source note cards.
Requirements for Primary Sources:
 You must have TWO (2) different sources = two of the literary works we have read as listed above.
 You must have NINE (9) quotes divided between your Primary Sources. (You can have more!)
 Doing the math (again, math in English class), you must have NINE (9) Primary Notecards on Noodle Tools
before writing your paper.
 Noodle Tools or a Handout of NoodleTools will be used for the following:
 Research Question
 Thesis Statement
 Notecards on for your Primary and Secondary Sources, including
 Labeling your notecards for me to grade:
o Primary #1, Primary #2, etc.
o Secondary #1, Secondary #2, etc.
 Information on your notecards
o Direct Quotation
o Paraphrase and Summary
o My Ideas
 Outline = create, edit, and refine
 Works Cited List = create, edit, and refine for all Primary and Secondary Sources.
}
Submit the following
handouts when you
have completed
Note Cards
 Grading Noodle
Tools Primary Note
Cards
 Grading Noodle
Tools Secondary
Note Cards
I will be with you and checking your process and progress in IMC and/or Computer Lab. The process
will include:
 Before or by the due date, when you think your Noodle Tools Note Cards are complete; you will
submit the Primary and/or Secondary Grading Noodle Tools Note Cards NoodleTools or
handouts to me and I will grade each of the note cards.
 I will return the graded sheets to you with one of the following categories:
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GREEN LIGHT – you have completed all your pre-writing work and tools for your Critical Research Paper and
you may begin writing! You are on GO!
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YELLOW LIGHT – your pre-writing work and tools for your Critical Research Paper need work before you
begin writing. You are on CAUTION and need to do more work.
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RED LIGHT – your pre-writing work and tools for your Critical Research Paper are either non-existent or in
poor shape and need major work. You are in danger of not completing the Critical Research Paper by the due
date. You are in the danger STOP zone and need to get moving!
 You may only resubmit your Primary and/or Secondary Grading Noodle Tools Note Cards handouts ONE (1)
additional time for a percentage of the points – not full points.
 Failure to submit the Primary and/or Secondary Grading Noodle Tools Note Cards handouts may result in failing
your Critical Research Paper.
Once you get the “Green Light” you may begin writing. With detailed note cards and outline you should be able to
accomplish the writing with ease and dexterity! Having seen all your good pre-writing, I look forward to what you write!
Critical Research Paper Guide
Roney 5
FORMATTING THE PAPER
Sample Header:
Your Name
(155) Rubric Assessment
Mrs. Roney, p 1 OR 8
English 10, 5.0
(due date) April 2015
Your title
 Remember only capitalize the first word and
proper names!
 If you use the novel title it must be italicized
because it is a novel title!
Paper Layout
 Font: Times New Roman point 12 only!
 Double-space entire paper, including Works Cited List
 Number pages in Top Right Corner of paper as modeled on this handout (Last name and page number)
 Works Cited List should be last page and page number
 Type in proper heading as modeled above.
 You must have a title
 Remember: a minimum of 4 pages and a maximum of 6 pages only!
 Use Thread Words
 Make sure you underline Vocabulary Words used for extra credit (1/4 point per word used correctly and not
forced into a sentence.)
 Indent paragraphs one tab
 Indent second and more lines of Citation one tab
Objectives of the Final Draft of a Critical Paper
Each student will be able to…
 Defend a thesis.
 Organize support, analysis, and transitions in a multi-paragraph format.
 Demonstrate an awareness of voice, style, and tone.
 Demonstrate knowledge of MLA format and documentation.
 Use correct mechanical and grammatical skills.
 Imbed primary and secondary source quotations correctly and stylistically.
 Provide cogent reasoning to support an argument.
 Choose and incorporate valid primary source support to defend the student’s arguments.
 Choose and incorporate valid critical ideas from appropriate secondary sources to supplement the
student’s analysis.
 Evaluate the meaning/importance of the paper’s thesis in clincher sentences and a concluding paragraph.
Critical Research Paper Guide
Roney 6
PA Standards:
1.4.10.B:
 Write complex informational pieces (e.g. research papers, analytical essays, summaries, descriptive pieces or literary
analyses) that:
 Gather evidence in support of a thesis.
 Incorporate and document information and ideas from primary and secondary sources accurately and coherently.
 Anticipate and address readers’ potential misunderstandings, biases, and expectations.
1.5.10.A:
 Write with a clear focus, identifying topic, task, and audience.
1.5.10.B:
 Develop content appropriate for the topic.
 Gather, organize, and determine validity and reliability of information.
 Employ the most effective format for purpose and audience.
 Incorporate specialized vocabulary for topic and audience
 Write fully developed paragraphs that have details and information specific to the topic and relevant to the focus.
1.5.10.C:
 Write with controlled and/or subtle organization.
 Sustain a logical order throughout the piece.
 Include an effective introduction and conclusion.
 Establish coherence within and among paragraphs through effective transitions, parallel structures, and similar
writing techniques.
1.5.10.D:
 Write with an understanding of style using precise language, action verbs, sensory details, appropriate modifiers, and
the active rather than the passive voice. Create tone and voice through the use of precise language.
1.5.10.E:
 Review, evaluate, revise, edit, and proofread writing to improve style, word choice, sentence variety, and subtlety of
meaning.
1.5.10.F:
 Use grade appropriate conventions of language when writing and editing.
 Spell common, frequently used words correctly.
 Use capital letters correctly.
 Punctuate correctly.
 Use correct grammar and sentence formation
1.8.10.A:
 Focus on a clear research question and develop and implement an inquiry-based process in carrying out research.
1.8.10.B:
 Conduct inquiry and research on self-selected or assigned topics, issues, or problems using information from a variety
of sources; document sources using a consistent format for citations.
 Demonstrate that sources have been evaluated for accuracy, bias, and credibility.
 Organize information by classifying, categorizing, and sequencing.
 Demonstrate the distinction between one’s own ideas from the ideas of others, and includes a reference page.
1.8.10.C:
 Analyze and integrate information gathered from a variety of sources to create a reasoned product that supports
inferences and conclusions drawn from research.
1.9.10.A:
 Use media and technology resources for research and problem solving in content learning. Identify complexities and
inconsistencies in the information and the different perspectives found in each medium.
Critical Research Paper Guide