Research Essay
Write a 2500- to 3000-word essay that:
1. Presents an arguable claim based on substantial research about a topic related to climate
change.
2. Uses authoritative research (at least five sources) that is appropriate to the topic and is
credible to audience that includes professional scientists.
3. Skillfully uses quotations from a variety of sources to support its claim.
4. Presents the research in a lively and accessible style.
5. Is carefully proof-read for grammatical and stylistic errors.
6. Consistently and accurately uses MLA style.
7. Is written with a general, college-educated, audience in mind.
Deadlines:
Annotated bibliography: October 9
Research notes: October 23
Opening paragraph: October 30
Full Draft: November 13
Final paper: December 4
Grading Rubric
A/A- (90-100)
B-/B/B+ (80-89)
C-/C/C+ (70-79)
D-/D/D+
Makes an interesting arguable claim, supported by detailed evidence.
Uses vivid and lively detail. Has a clear and effective organizational
structure with a topic sentence for each paragraph and transition
between paragraphs and ideas. Is free or nearly-free of grammatical
and/or stylistic errors. Uses quotations correctly and provides
citations to sources that are credible to an audience that includes
professional scientists. Flawlessly uses MLA style.
Makes an arguable claim supported by some evidence. Has a clear
structure. May have some grammatical and stylistic errors.
Quotations may be present but not well-integrated into the text.
Sources may be adequate for a general audience, but may be less
credible for an audience that includes professional scientists. May
have some errors in using MLA style.
May make a claim supported by insufficient evidence or may present
facts and ideas without a central organizing claim. May have some
description but it may be vague. May have a loose structure or little
structure. May use few quotations or use them awkwardly. May have
numerous grammatical and stylistic errors. May not meet the
assignment guidelines for length. May ignore the guidelines to use
MLA style.
Makes no claim and uses few facts and ideas. Grammatical and
stylistic problems hinder readability. Uses no discernible structure.
May have used sources inappropriately. May be too short.
Note: Plagiarism is representing someone else’s words as your own. It includes lifting phrases from
a source and placing them in your essay without quotation marks or taking text written by someone
else and putting your name on it. Plagiarism deprives you of the opportunity to improve your
writing skills and misrepresents who you are and what you have done. It also results in a failing
grade on the assignment and the recording of your name in a database in the Dean’s office.