Senior Research Paper Assignment
Purpose:
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This paper is designed for you to research something you know at least a little about and have
somewhat of an interest in
You are trying to persuade someone to believe your thesis using the research of the people who
have already written something about your subject.
You need to have an opinion about a specific topic (see topic options below) and support that
opinion with academic research.
Format:
 The page limit is 7-10 pages of text and doesn’t include the required cover, outline, or works cited
pages.
 You will create a cover page, include an outline, the actual paper, and a works cited page.
 All required materials must be completed in MLA format (consult you silver MLA handbook for
details).
 Your paper must include a minimum of 14 in-text citations (about 2 citations per page).
 You paper must include a strong introduction which includes an attention getter and your thesis
statement.
 Your paper cannot have more than 5 short direct quotes and 1 long quote.
 Your works cited must have a minimum of 6 academic sources formatted in proper MLA style.
Every source on your works cited page must be used in your paper.
 Your sources must come from a variety of places such as the research databases, periodicals,
books, films or the internet. These sources should be academic sources as discussed in class. Only
ONE internet source will be allowed UNLESS you are doing a remarkably recent topic.
The Journey:
 You will be turning in Source Cards and Source Notes on different occasions for checks (keep
track of due dates on your calendar).
 I recommend buying a USB flash drive so you can keep all of your information in one place that is
easily accessible at home and at school. You should also keep your binder organized so that all
your printed information can be easily accessible. You need to bring all your research and notes
between home and school throughout the quarter; be responsible because forgetting or
misplacing work is not an acceptable excuse. A highlighter and sticky notes are great items to
have when researching, highlighting important points, and taking notes on information.
 You will turn in the first 3 pages as a rough draft for me to check, but I will not be grading the
whole paper before the final copy is due, and you will not be able to redo a paper to get more
credit.
 You will need to meet with me at least once before school, during a study hall, or after school to
go over the paper. Don’t just try and get it out of the way early. Come to me with questions or
problems. You must set up an appointment with me ahead of time.
 When you’re absent, please try and keep up on the workload and checkpoints instead of falling
behind. You have been given ALL of the due dates ahead of time; so there are no surprises.
 Visit these helpful research websites: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/ and
http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/online/cite5.html to help answer general research questions
and MLA formatting questions. Also, use your silver MLA Handbook for research information.
Reminders:
 When given the opportunity, use the silver MLA book to check how to cite sources.
 Keep your notecards organized because they are the key to writing a good paper. Having great
ideas, quotes, summaries and paraphrases to work into the paper will only benefit the final
product.
 The final day the paper is due is a deadline. Absences do not extend the deadline for the final
product, so plan carefully.
 Remember to save your work everywhere every time. USB drives are better than disks, but
obviously you should back up your work. PRINT OFTEN. Then you will have a backup to which you
can refer.
Topics:
There are two options for topics that you may explore and research.
1. Write an academic research paper about a social issue affecting the world today. Possible social
issues that can be explored are limited to only the following:
Alcoholism
Alternative energy sources
Animal experimentation
Assisted suicide
Capital punishment
Censorship
Child abuse
Cloning
Conservation of natural resources
Criminal justice
Depression, Mental
Divorce
Doping in sports
Drug abuse
Drug testing
Drunk driving
Eating disorders
Educational tests and measurements
Endangered species
Environmentalism
Ethics
Family violence
Food, Safety measures
Freedom of speech
Freedom of the press
Gambling
Gangs
Genetic engineering
Genocide
Global warming
Globalization
Gun control
Hate crimes
Health care reform
Homelessness
Human cloning
Human rights
Human trafficking
Identity theft
Immigration
Juvenile delinquency
Medical ethics
Nuclear energy
Nuclear weapons
Obesity
Overpopulation
Plastic surgery
Pollution
Poverty
Property rights
Public welfare
Racial profiling
School violence
Smoking
Stem cells
Substance abuse
Suicide
Taxation
Teenagers, Suicidal behavior
Terrorism
Treatment of prisoners
Unemployment
Violence in mass media
Weapons of mass destruction
Welfare
2. Write an academic research paper about school-related topic. Possible school-related topics
that can be explored are the following:
a. Do schools have the right to search students’ lockers?
b. Should children be given sex education in schools, or should this be the responsibility of the
parents?
c. Should the state fund schools run by particular faiths?
d. Should schools require their students to wear a school uniform?
e. Should Physical Education in schools be required?
f.
Should young people be subjected to curfews as a way to reduce crime?
g. Should doctors be allowed to prescribe contraception for girls under the age of 16?
h. Should governments censor material on the World Wide Web?
i.
Should the government censor lyrics of songs that are violent or expletive, for example
“gangsta” rap?
j.
Should examinations be replaced with other forms of assessment?
k.
Should school students face mandatory drug-tests?
l.
Should the use of performance-enhancing drugs in sport be legalized?
m. Is sport really good for us?
n. Should students not be allowed to work while they’re attending high school?
o. Should high school be extended to five years