Name ____________________________
AP World History Research Paper
Task: As a member of the UN Task Force for Global Advancement, you will analyze how a current
global issue affects people in a specific region of the world and explore a possible solution to the
problem. In your paper you must:
 Include a brief history of the problem in a specific region
 Analyze how the problem affects the people (include the POV of different groups
involved, short term and long term impacts, etc.)
 Evaluate the efforts made by local or international organizations to address the issue
 Discuss other possible solutions that could be pursued (include why)
For your research, you will utilize the GALE database, Global Issues in Context and the ABC-CLIO
database, Issues: Understanding Controversy and Society. Additionally, your librarians have created a
curated list of web resources located at: http://www.symbaloo.com/mix/globalissues-apworld. All of these
resources will be accessible via the Garden City High School Library homepage. Please choose from
the topics below:
Afghan War
Biological and Chemical
Weapons
Conflict Diamonds
Burma (Myanmar) Uprisings
Conflict in the Caucasus
Congo: Postwar
Humanitarian Crisis
Conventional Weapons
Trafficking
Darfur/SUDAN
East Timor Crisis
Ebola
Geneva Conventions
Guantánamo Bay Prison
Camp
Haiti
Hamas: Role and Influence
Hezbollah: Role and
Influence
International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA)
Iran Nuclear Program
Iraq War
Migrants North Africa
ISIS
Islam: Sunni and Shiite
Disputes
Islamophobia
Kurdish Conflicts
North Korea: Famine and
International Aid
Northern Ireland: Peace
Accords
Nuclear Proliferation
Pakistan-Afghanistan
Conflict over Border Region
Palestinian Statehood
Piracy at Sea
Sri Lankan Civil War
Taiwan: Conflicts with China
Tibet: Conflicts with China
Ukraine
U.S. Department of
Homeland Security
Uighur Conflict in China
War Crimes
Women in Combat
Arab Spring
African Famine Relief
Child Labor
Child Soldiers
Congo: Postwar
Humanitarian Crisis
Corporal Punishment
Developing Countries and
Education
Headscarves: Religious and
Political Issues
Honor Killings
Human Trafficking
Immigrants and Immigration
India: Caste Conflict
International Adoption
Iran Civil Crisis
Maternal and Infant Mortality
Restrictions on Women
Syrian Civil War
Taliban Resurgence in
Afghanistan and Pakistan
Violence against Women
Women and Poverty
Women's Rights
Paper Requirements:
 3-5 pages (the paper should be 3 full pages to 5 full pages of writing)
 Font size 12
 Times New Roman
 Double-spaced
 1 inch margins
 MLA works cited page (minimum of 4 sources)
 Internal citations throughout paper
 Proper MLA Style “Running Header” on each page
* Plagiarized papers will receive a zero
** Late submitted papers will be penalized 10 points per day
We will meet in the library for a number of class periods; the librarians will teach you how to conduct
research, access information, create note cards, and properly cite sources. Please be sure to have a way
to back up your work. This means: Using a cloud-based storage site (such as Google Drive) or bringing
a flash drive to class everyday so you can access your work from any computer at home and at school.
The Research Manual is available on the library & social studies homepages
(http://highschool.gardencity.k12.ny.us/departments/social_studies/garden_city_high_school_research_guide)
Project Timeline:
Friday, May 15th
Project introduced. Work on topic selection handout
Monday, May 18th and Tuesday, May 19th
Research, narrowing of topics, GoogleDocs &
EasyBib. By the end of the period on Monday, May
18th, you must submit the topic selection handout.
Wednesday, May 20st
Research your approved topic and create note
cards. Brainstorm possible thesis statements.
Thursday, May 21st
Preliminary thesis statement due by the end of the
period.
Tuesday, May 26th
Submit a hard copy of your typed outline.
Wednesday, May 27th through
Friday, May 29th
Develop a rough draft.
Your librarians will review in-text (parenthetical)
citations and the creation of a works cited page.
Sunday, May 31st
Submit the final copy of your research paper to
turnitin.com by 11:59 p.m.
Academic Misconduct in the Form of Plagiarism
Plagiarism Contract
I, _______________________________, understand that plagiarism (handing in written material that is not
entirely my own work and does not credit the source of the information) is a form of theft.
I have been taught about the meaning of plagiarism and how to quote, paraphrase and cite sources properly. I
know that copying words from the internet without citing the source is also a form of plagiarism. I understand
that I must write my own paper. I know that my teachers are willing to help me throughout the
research/writing process.
I understand that if I plagiarize, I will face the following consequences:
a. Any essay/paper that is plagiarized will receive a zero (0).
b. I may be allowed to write another paper to make up for the plagiarized paper, but the grade of the
second paper will be averaged with the zero (0).
Student’s Signature:
______________________________
Instructors’ Signatures: _______________________________
Date:
_______________________________
Name ____________________________
DUE MONDAY May 18th
AP World History Research Paper
Preliminary Search – What global issue intrigues you?
Directions: Begin to think about what issue you might like to research – do a preliminary search using
the library resources.
1. Go to the Garden City High School Library home page
2. Select “library databases” from the menu on the left side of the page. Select GALE and scroll
down to access the “Global Issues In Context” Database.
3. Search for issues that you would want to learn more about.
4. Pick 2 issues and record your findings below:
Global issue/problem I think I might be interested in researching:
General description of the issue/problem:
Nation(s)/Region(s) dealing with the issue:
Ideas/actual actions to address the global issue/problem:
Global issue/problem I think I might be interested in researching:
General description of the issue/problem:
Nation(s)/Region(s) dealing with the issue:
Ideas/actual actions to address the global issue/problem:
Name ____________________________
AP World History Research Paper
Outline Template
Directions: Use the template below to help guide you through the outline process for your research
paper. Submit a typed outline (using Word or EasyBib) on Tuesday, May 26th.
Preliminary Thesis:
Topic Sentence 1:
Supporting Points: ●
●
●
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Topic Sentence 2:
Supporting Points: ●
●
●
●
Topic Sentence 3:
Supporting Points: ●
●
●
●
Topic Sentence 4:
Supporting Points: ●
●
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●
Conclusion: (Reiterate your thesis emphasizing the main supporting information in your paper.)
WHAP Research Paper Scoring Rubric
4 (Excellent)
Development of
Thesis/Question
Use of Sources
Analysis and
Development of
Ideas
Organization
Mechanics
(Grammar,
Usage,
Sentence
Structure, etc.)
Citations
(MLA style)
3(Good)
23
98
1 (Needs More Work)
Thesis statement is clear; it is more
descriptive than analytical.
Thesis statement is present but not
well-developed.
The thesis promotes challenging and
thought-provoking research.
The thesis promotes challenging
research.
The thesis requires minimal research.
Thesis statement is vague or unclear.
Student uses a variety of quality sources
including a balance of relevant print and
electronic material.
Student uses a variety of sources,
including electronic and print material.
Student uses information from a limited
range of resources.
Student did not use the minimum range
or sources.
Student compares and evaluates
sources for accuracy, validity and bias.
Student evaluates sources for accuracy,
validity, and biases.
Student adequately evaluates sources
for accuracy, validity, and biases.
Student fails to evaluate sources.
Student determines if the information
supports/ rejects the thesis statement.
Student determines if the information
supports/ rejects the thesis statement.
Student assembles information that
only supports the thesis statement.
Supporting ideas and details are
sophisticated and insightful and reflect
an in-depth understanding of the topic.
Supporting ideas are clear, focused and
purposeful and reflect a thorough
understanding of the topic.
Supporting ideas are present but lack
sufficient development. May reflect
gaps in understanding of the topic.
Student assembles information that
may /may not support the thesis
statement.
Supporting ideas are insufficient and
reflects a limited understanding of the
topic.
Student draws appropriate and
innovative conclusions from research.
Logical and subtle sequencing of ideas
through well-developed paragraphs;
transitions enhance organization and
fluency.
Minimal errors in punctuation,
capitalization and spelling.
Student draws appropriate conclusions
from research.
Logical sequencing of ideas through
well- developed paragraphs; some
transitions are used to enhance
organization and fluency.
Some errors in punctuation,
capitalization and spelling.
Student draws limited conclusions from
research.
Logical sequencing of ideas, paragraphs
are minimally developed; transitions do
not promote fluency.
Student’s conclusions are unclear
and/or confused.
No evidence of structure or
organization.
Several errors in punctuation,
capitalization and spelling.
Many errors in punctuation,
capitalization and spelling.
Minimal errors in word usage and
sentence structure.
Few errors in word usage and sentence
structure.
Significant errors in word usage and
sentence structure.
Poor word usage and sentence structure
limits the readability.
No errors in parenthetical citation
format.
Few errors in parenthetical citation
format.
Many minor or some significant errors
in parenthetical citations.
Sources not cited.
All sources are properly cited in paper
and on works-cited page.
Most sources are cited in paper and on
works-cited page; minor errors are
present.
Appropriate number and variety of
sources used. Sources cited follow near
perfect MLA structure.
Documentation is poorly formatted in
the paper or on the works cited page.
The thesis requires little to no research.
Appropriate number and variety of
sources used. Sources cited follow
perfect MLA structure.
24
100
2 ( Satisfactory)
Thesis statement is well developed and
analytical.
22
96
21
94
20
92
19
90
18
88
17
85
16
83
Limited number and/or variety of
sources. Sources do not follow closely
MLA structure.
15
80
14
78
13
75
12
73
11
70
10
68
9
65
Name ___________________________________________________________