1
NVHS English IV Research Component
Table of Contents
(All assignments must be typed and printed before the beginning of class to receive credit.)
Page
Topic
2
Deadlines
3
Topic Starter Questions and Topic List
4
Sample Honors/AP Research Application List
5
Prospectus Letter
6
Research Paper Structure Options
7-8
Research Thesis Options
9
Note Sheet Format
10
Note Sheet Example
11
Interview Question Writing
12
Email Etiquette
13
Plagiarism
14
Avoiding Plagiarism
15
Parenthetical Citations
16
Long Quotations; Adding or Omitting Words in Quotations
17
Your Works Cited List
18
Common MLA Works Cited List Entry Formats
19
Research Paper Basic Requirements
20
Research Paper Grade Sheet
21
Presentation Planner; Presentation Visual Aid Instructions
22
Presentation Attire
23
Presentation Rubric
24
Portfolio Description (Organization and Checklist)
25
Tips to Writing a Thank-You Note
26
Letter of Introduction
27
Portfolio Rubric
28
Essay Rubric
2
English IV Research Component Spring 2013 Deadlines
(All assignments must be typed and printed and must be turned in at the beginning of class to receive credit. No late work.)
Week #1 (1/22 – 1/25)
No due dates
Week #2 (1/28 – 2/1)
No due dates
Week #3 (2/4 – 2/8)
Prospectus Letter
due Tue., 2/5
Week #4 (2/11 – 2/15)
1 Note Sheet
due Tue., 2/12
Week #5 (2/19 – 2/22)
3 Note Sheets/Preliminary Outline
due Tue., 2/19
Week #6 (2/25 – 3/1)
Interview Transcript and Thank-You Note
due Tue., 12/26
Week #7 (3/4 – 3/8)
Revised Outline/5 Note Sheets (one is for interview)
due Tue., 2/5
Week #8 (3/11 – 3/15)
Rough Draft of Introductory Paragraph
due Tue., 3/12
Week #9 (3/18 – 3/22)
Pages 1-3 of Rough Draft
due Tue., 3/19
Week #10 (4/1 – 4/5)
Research Paper Grade Sheet
due Tue., 3/26
Week #11 (4/8 – 4-12)
Pages 1-7 of Rough Draft/Works Cited List
due Mon., 4/5
Week #12 (4/15 – 4/19)
Nothing due
Week #13 (4/22 – 4/25)
Research Paper
due Tue., 4/19
Week #14 (4/29 – 5/3)
Draft of Formal Prezi Presentation
due Tue., 5/2
Week #15 (5/6 – 5/10)
Practice Presentations
M-F, 5/15 – 5/19
Weeks #16 (5/13 – 5/17)
Class Presentations
Portfolio
M-F, 5/22 – 5/25
due M, 5/22
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Research Topic Starter Questions
1. List five FUN things that you really want to do at some point in your life.
2. List three jobs or careers that you think you would enjoy.
3. List two things that you already know how to do that you wish you could do better.
4. List one activity that you wish you had more time for in your life right now.
5. Complete this sentence: "If I only do one thing before I die, I want to...”
6. List what you think is the biggest problem in your school, town or state.
7. What is the best thing in your life right now?
8. What two or three events have changed your life more than any others?
9. What is the coolest thing that you ever learned in school?
10. What is unique or special about you?
11. List two or three people, organizations or groups whom you admire very much.
12. What is one item that you really wish you knew how to make by hand or by yourself?
13. What subjects do you have the most passionate arguments about with family or friends?
14. What do you complain about?
15. What activity do you do that makes you happier than anything else in the world?
16. What's the one thing that puzzles you the most about people and how they behave?
Research Topic Links
Put an X next to the ones that interest you.
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Aeronautics
Agriculture
Animals
Anthropology
Archaeology
Architecture
Arts & crafts
Astronomy
Biology
Botany (plants)
Business
Climatology (weather)
Communication
Drama
Cooking
Economics
Education
Electronics
Energy
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Engineering
Fashion
Geography
Health
Journalism
Marketing
Military
Oceanography
Physics
Religion
Technology
Visual arts
Entertainment
Transportation
Geology
History
Languages
Math
Music
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Psychology
Social issues
Social services
Television / Film
Environment
Finance
Government
Law
Mechanical
Radio
Genetics
Graphic arts
Insurance
Manufacturing
Medicine
Nutrition
Photography
Sports
Tourism
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Sample Research Application List
For your research presentation and portfolio (Honors and AP students), you must create a research
application. The application is a creation that demonstrates your active engagement with your
topic. You are not required to spend a certain amount of hours creating your application; however,
your application should demonstrate professionalism, effort, and personal engagement with your
topic. It can be as simple as creating a brochure on your topic or as in-depth as you’d like it to be.
RESEARCH PAPER
Personal
Fashion trends
Cartoon animation
Woodworking techniques
Mural painting
Small engine repair
History of jazz
Yoga
Japanese cooking
Bricklaying techniques
Career and Technical Education
Mammography
Play therapy
Business Promotion Strategies
Child care
Landscape design
Academic Content
The work of a specific artist or composer
Online game development as a learning tool
Eating disorders
Censorship in literature
Cause and effect of outsourcing in manufacturing
Local community health agencies
Career opportunities for bilingual persons
Alternative energy source engines
Oral history of war veterans
Local historical event
APPLICATION
Design/make prom dress
Create an animated cartoon
Build a bookshelf
Create a mural
Repair a lawn mower
Learn to play a jazz piece on an instrument
Take classes and demonstrate basic positions
Make a Japanese meal for guests
Build a backyard barbeque pit
Develop brochure on preventive breast cancer
checks
Develop a toy individualized for a specific
disability
Create preopening / promotion plan for a
new business
Design a babysitting safety multimedia
presentation
Create a landscape design for a house
Create an original work reflecting a researched
style
Develop an online review game for children
Create a podcast highlighting symptoms and
treatments
Create an interactive web lesson plan to teach
the topic to students
Present findings in a multimedia production
Promote services on campus through an
awareness campaign
Design multimedia presentation on opportunities
Develop energy engine prototype
Share a multimedia presentation of history
Design PowerPoint of event to run at museum
http://www.scs.k12.nc.us/UserFiles/Servers/Server_284847/File/forms/Graduation%20Project/Teacher_files/SCS%20GRADUATION%20PROJECT%20MANUA
L%20(final%20draft%202008-2009).pdf
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Prospectus Letter
Using correct business letter format (block letters are single-spaced and left-justified with double spacing
roughly between letter elements and paragraphs), write a prospectus letter. Your letter should be well
written, thoughtful, properly formatted, and interesting to read. The template below can guide you.
Your Street Address
Your City, State, and Zip Code
Date
School Name
School Street Address
Henderson, NC Zip Code
Dear Teacher:
Paragraph about the Focus/Thesis of the Research Paper
Paragraph about Your Interest and Experience in this Field
Paragraph about the Potential Sources including the Interview
Paragraph about Future Relevance (Personally and Globally)
Sincerely,
Your signature
Your Name
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Research Paper Structure Options
Your research paper is not simply a report that presents information in the form you found it. You are going
to take the information you find and analyze, organize and re-shape it to support your thesis statement.
There are six possible ways to structure your paper:
Overall Topic – Tobacco
1. Exploratory/perspective—This type of paper presents a variety of viewpoints related to a
particular issue.
(Example: Tobacco as a cash crop)
2. Persuasive—This type of paper makes a forceful statement using evidence in an attempt to
persuade or convince the reader of a particular viewpoint.
(Example: Farmers should no longer grow tobacco.)
3. Compare/contrast —This type of paper compares and contrasts two things.
(Example: Tobacco vs. Cotton as a cash crop)
4. Problem/solution— This type of paper describes a problem, discusses several solutions, and
presents one solution as the best.
(Example: How to transition from tobacco to another crop)
5. Cause/effect —This type of paper explores the causes and/or the effects of a certain problem or
phenomenon.
(Example: The Impact of Health Effects of Tobacco Usage)
6. Parallel—This type of paper looks at two similar events or conditions and draws an inference or
conclusion based upon the parallels.
(Example: Prohibition vs. No Smoking Laws)
Another set of examples would be:
1. Exploratory/perspective
Career of Nursing
Different careers in nursing show …
2. Persuasive
Nurses are as important as doctors to the health of patients
3. Compare/contrast
Compare the roles of the nurse and the physician’s assistant
4. Problem/solution
There is a critical shortage of nurses today. How do we train
more nurses?
5. Cause/effect
How have the changes in medicine affected nursing?
6. Parallel
Compare nursing during the Civil War and the Gulf War.
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Research Thesis Options
1. Exploratory/ Perspective-This thesis indicates an informative, exploratory perspective, representing a
variety of viewpoints related to a particular topic.
This means - You may explore a topic that you know little or nothing about or that you know something about but
would like to know a great deal about—as long as you are producing a unique view of the topic by
utilizing an integration or synthesis of multiple, diverse sources and viewpoints that result in the
proving of a thesis.
Research Topic: What is spelunking? (I know very little about it.) I will show that spelunking has
contributed immeasurably to science. I will explore what it is, its origins, its proponents, its critics, its
dangers, its rewards, etc.
Thesis: Spelunking has contributed immeasurably to the natural sciences.
 Or, you may trace the development of a particular issue or trend as long as you are producing a
unique view of the issue or trend that integrates multiple diverse sources and viewpoints that result
in the proving of a thesis.
Research Topic: I will research the history of spelunking to show its contributions to science.
Thesis: Spelunking has historically been a scientific journey into the unknown.
2. Persuasive- This thesis makes a forceful statement using proof in an attempt to persuade or convince
the reader of a particular viewpoint.
This means - You have a firm opinion or position, and you want to persuade the reader to agree with your
position.
 You will naturally try to find sources that will support your position, but you must also include the
opinions of opponents (and then refute them in your paper with your excellent research and logical
reasoning and findings).
Research Topic: My position is that a shift from traditional family dynamics has produced a new
cultural "lost generation.” (You must prove that this shift has had a negative effect on the "under
twenty-five" generation.) This one must be a supportable opinion.
Thesis: A shift from traditional family dynamics and values has produced a new cultural "lost
generation."
Don't forget to examine both pro and con sides of the argument.
 Again, it is essential that you not only use but also integrate your diverse sources in every type
of paper.
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3. Comparison/Contrast- This thesis compares and contrasts one "thing" to another.
Research Topic: Bluegrass and country music- I will examine the differences and similarities.
Thesis: Bluegrass and country music are quite different but both uniquely American.
4. Problem/solution-This thesis informatively addresses a problem, previews several solutions, and then
endorses one.
This means --
 You will identify a problem.
 You will offer several solutions-perhaps explore possible federal and state grants to fund more
dogs, and/or you may examine the feasibility of service dog programs in schools, prisons, church
families, or other organizations.
 You will endorse one of the options that you discovered through your research-like PAWS or
Canine Partners for Life.
Thesis: Vance and surrounding counties need more service dogs to fill current needs.
5. Cause/effect – This thesis addresses an event, situation, condition or phenomenon and explains what
results from that event, etc.
This meansCause-and-effect writing gives reasons and explanations for events, conditions, or behavior. It answers
the need most of us have to understand the world around us.
When planning a cause-and-effect essay, begin by listing the event or condition you want to address.
Then brainstorm to generate ideas about either its causes or its effects. Think carefully about the
causes and effects you have listed. Check to be sure you have not drawn any faulty conclusions. Your
conclusions are faulty if the cause-and-effect relationship does not exist or if it is unreasonable or not
clearly established.
Research Topic: How do community recycling programs effect the environment?
Thesis: Community recycling programs reduce the amount of landfill needed in an area.
6. Parallel-This thesis draws an inference or prediction based upon similarities of events or conditions.
This means - One set of circumstances already exists.
Ex. The sea turtle population is diminishing rapidly.
 Inference or prediction based on existing conditions:
Thesis: At the current rate, even with existing preservation efforts, the sea turtle may be virtually
extinct in thirty years.
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Note Sheet Format
Document research sources on standard 8½ x 11, unlined paper. (Note Sheets should be typed.)
Call #
Source #
Modern Language Association (MLA)
 Document primary/secondary research source using MLA Format. Don’t forget to indent
all lines under the first. For example:
Author’s last name, author’s first name. Title of book. Place of publication: Name of publisher,
date of publication. (See your grammar book pages 272-275 for MLA example formulas.)
 Annotation: Write 5-10 sentences evaluating the source. Include the following three
components: 1) a brief summary of what this source says about your topic, 2) some
criticisms of it (Does it seem like a reliable and current source? Why? Is the research
biased or objective? Are the facts well documented? Who is the author? Is she qualified
in this subject? Is this source scholarly, popular, some of both?), and 3) some reflections
on this source. (How does it fit into your research? Is this a helpful resource? Too
scholarly? Not scholarly enough? Too general/specific?)
 Write notes, direct quotes only (author’s exact words enclosed in quotation marks) for the
source above. Five notes are the minimum requirement per notesheet. (Create a new
note sheet for each new research source, i.e. book, web article, etc.)
Outline Topic
(Use direct quotes copied verbatim from the source within quotation marks; no paraphrases on
note sheet.)
(Author’s last name and page number)
Outline Topic
(Use direct quotes copied verbatim from the source within quotation marks; no paraphrases on
note sheet.)
(Author’s last name and page number)
Outline Topic
(Use direct quotes copied verbatim from the source within quotation marks; no paraphrases on
note sheet.)
(Author’s last name and page number)
Outline Topic
(Use direct quotes copied verbatim from the source within quotation marks; no paraphrases on
note sheet.)
(Author’s last name and page number)
Outline Topic
(Use direct quotes copied verbatim from the source within quotation marks; no paraphrases on
note sheet.)
(Author’s last name and page number)
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Note Sheet Example
F
She
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Modern Language Association (MLA)
Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. Mineola, New York: Dover Publications, Inc., 1994.
Frankenstein is a novel about ambition and the dangers of being blinded by it. Both Cpt.
Walton’s and Dr. Frankenstein’s stories tell how they risked (and in one case) lost everything to
conquer nature. Walton is in search of a Northern passage, the center of Earth’s magnetism,
and, of course, fame. Dr. Frankenstein was after the conquest of death itself. Shelley explores
several subjects in the novel: creation, parenthood, the natures of good and evil, revenge, and
forgiveness.
Nature’s Wrath
“Last Monday (July 31st) we were nearly surrounded by ice, which closed in the ship on all
sides, scarcely leaving her the sea-room in which she floated.”
(Shelley 8)
Pursuit of Science
“I ardently desired the acquisition of knowledge.”
(Shelley 25)
Paradox of Progress
“But my enthusiasm was checked by my anxiety, and I appeared rather like one doomed by
slavery to toil in the mines, or any other unwholesome trade than an artist occupied by his
favourite employment.”
(Shelley 34)
Pursuit of Science
“It was on a dreary night of November, that I beheld the accomplishment of my toils. With an
anxiety that almost amounted to agony, I collected the instruments of life around me, that I
might infuse a spark of being into the lifeless thing that lay at my feet.”
(Shelley 34-35)
Nature’s Wrath
“The storm appeared to approach rapidly; and, on landing, I ascended a low hill, that I might
observe its progress. It advanced; the heavens were clouded, and I soon felt the rain coming
slowly in large drops, but its violence quickly increased.”
(Shelley 49)
Paradox of Progress
“During the whole of this wretched mockery of justice I suffered living torture.”
(Shelley 54)
Paradox of Progress
“For the first time, also, I felt what the duties of a creator towards his creature were, and that I
ought to render him happy before I complained of his wickedness.”
(Shelley 70)
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Interview Guide
Designing Interview Questions
1. Design questions based on the thesis of the research paper and on the expertise of the person to be
interviewed. (The person MUST be related to your topic.)
2. The questions should not be ones for which there is only a “yes” or “no” answer.
3. Construct the questions in terms of “where,” “when,” “why,” “how,” or “to what extent.”
4. Use the outline for the research paper as a guide in creating the questions you will use in the interview.
 Construct a general question about the thesis of the paper.
 Make a question from each of the major headings in your outline.
5. The number of questions you create will depend on the amount of time allotted for the actual interview.
A general guide would be to have on hand ten well-constructed questions.
6. Type the questions with space between them to write the answers as the interviewee gives them.
7. Be prepared during the interview to “Piggy back” additional questions to the ones you have already
written prior to the interview.
8. Be sure to include a typed copy of the interview questions and answers as a transcript in the portfolio.
Completing the Interview
1. Call the day ahead to confirm the appointment.
2. Record the time and date of the interview.
3. Arrive ten minutes early and dress appropriately for the interview.
4. Introduce yourself to the person before the interview begins. (Remember to begin with a handshake.)
5. Ask for permission if you want to use a tape recorder.
6. Follow the lead of the interviewee and be able to ask spontaneous questions.
7. Be time conscious. End the interview in a timely fashion.
8. Conclude the interview with a verbal thank-you and a firm handshake.
9. Send a thank-you note to the person after the interview (no more than two weeks after the interview.)
10. Photocopy the note and the envelope before mailing. Keep a copy for the portfolio.
11. Use the correct format when including information from the interview within the research paper.
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Email Etiquette
By Dawn Rosenberg McKay, About.com
Your correspondence says a lot about you, so you should be aware of some basic email etiquette,
sometimes known as netiquette.
Mind Your Manners
What three words have a total of only 14 letters yet carry a great deal of meaning? People may not notice
these words when they're there, but if you forget to use them, you'll come across looking
disrespectful and ungrateful. Give Up? These very powerful words are “Please” and “Thank You”.
Please take my advice. You'll thank me later.
This isn't something that especially bothers me, but there are others who are very sensitive to being
addressed by their first names. When in doubt, use Mr., Mrs., or Dr. (if appropriate). When you are
replying to an email and the sender of the original message has used his or her first name only,
then you could safely assume it's okay to use that person's first name as well.
Don't Use that Tone With Me
Tone is a difficult thing to explain. Remember when your parents would say "Don't use that tone of voice
with me, young lady (or young man)?" Your feelings come across by the way you say something. It
is easy to change your tone when you're speaking. When you're writing it's very hard to do.
Whenever I write an email, I read my message over several times before I hit send. I want to make
sure I come across as respectful, friendly, and approachable. I don't want to sound curt or
demanding. Sometimes just rearranging your paragraphs will help.
Email writers often use emoticons to convey a certain tone. For those of you who don't know what these
are, emoticons are little faces made up by arranging parentheses, colons, and semi-colons. Use
good judgement here. If you're writing to a prospective employer, stick to words only.
Avoid writing your message using all upper case letters. It looks like you're shouting. Don't use all lower
case letters either. Some people say it will make it seem like you're mumbling.
And Your Point Would Be...?
When possible, be brief. Get to your point as quickly as you can. However, please don't leave out
necessary details. If providing a lot of background information will help the recipient answer your
query, by all means, include it. You may even want to apologize for being so wordy at the
beginning of the message.
Plz Don't Abbrvt.
My teenage nieces send me email using all sorts of abbreviations -- U instead of you, 2 instead of to or too,
plz instead of please, and thanx instead of thanks. It's fine for personal email. Business email
should be more formal. Of course, frequently used abbreviations such as Mr. and Mrs., FYI (for
your information), inc., and etc. are fine.
What's In a Name?
Take a look at your email address. What does it say about you? Are you a sexymom@isp.com? Maybe.
But do you want a prospective employer to think so? Think of getting a more formal address.
Perhaps your first initial and last name would be good. If you're really attached to your address and
don't want to change it, consider adding a second one for professional use only. If your ISP
(Internet Service Provider) only provides a single address, look into getting a free account. If you're
currently working, you may have a company email account. Do not use this address for job hunting
purposes. Use a personal account only.
http://careerplanning.about.com/od/communication/a/email_etiquette.htm
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ACTIONS THAT MIGHT BE SEEN AS PLAGIARISM

Buying, stealing, or borrowing a paper

Using a source too closely when paraphrasing

Hiring someone to write your paper

Building on someone's ideas without citation

Copying from another source without using quotation marks

Copying from another source without citing (on purpose or by accident)

Deliberate plagiarism

Possibly accidental plagiarism
Because teachers and administrators may not distinguish between deliberate and accidental plagiarism,
the heart of avoiding plagiarism is to make sure you give credit where it is due. This may be credit
for something somebody said, wrote, emailed, drew, or implied.
Choosing When to Give Credit
Need to Document
No Need to Document
 When you are using or referring to somebody  When you are writing your own experiences,
else’s words or ideas from a magazine, book,
your own observations, your own insights,
newspaper, song, TV program, movie, Web
your own thoughts, your own conclusions
page,
computer
program,
letter,
about a subject
advertisement, or any other medium
 When you are writing up your own
experimental results
 When you use information gained through
interviewing another person
 When you copy the exact words on a “unique
phrase” from somewhere
 When you reprint any diagrams, illustrations,
charts, and pictures
 When you use ideas that others have given
you in conversations or over email
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WRITING RESPONSIBLY – AVOIDING PLAGIARISM
Proper Documentation
Ambulance paramedics can, and often do, play a vital life-saving role today. They are frequently the first
medical assistance available, especially to those patients or accident victims far away from
hospitals. Moreover, according to a Newsweek report, paramedics are now being trained to
administer powerful drugs to help the sick survive until the doctors and the medical equipment
arrive. For instance, paramedics can inject the common heart drug lidocaine into heart attack
victims on the scene, an act that may save many of the 350,000 Americans who die of heart
attacks before ever reaching a hospital (“First Aid for Heart Attacks” 88).
This writer used the properly documented information to support her own point about paramedics and has
not tried to pass off any of the article as her own.
Although plagiarism is often unintentional, it is your job to be as honest as possible. If you are in doubt
about your use of a particular idea, consult your instructor for a second opinion.
Here’s a suggestion that might help you avoid plagiarizing by accident. When you are drafting your essay
and come to spot in which you want to incorporate the ideas of someone else, think of the
borrowed information as if it were a window. Always frame the window at the top with some sort of
introduction that mentions the author and frame the window on the bottom with a reference to
location of the material.
Introductory phrase mentions author
(According to art critic Jane Doe,)
Quotation
Or
Paraphrase
Or
Summary
Source of material
(Media 42)
Top
Frame
Window
Bottom
Frame
A sample might look like this:
Introductory phrase means author
As writer Mike McGrady once said of housekeeping, “Any job that requires six hours to do and can be
undone in six minutes by one small child carrying a plate of crackers and a monopoly set—this is
not a job that will long capture my interest” (13). The idea of seeing hours of housework negated in
a matter of moments led McGrady to a greater respect for those who maintain order in the
American home.
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Citing Works of Others in Your Text
When you refer to the works of others in your text through paraphrasing or quoting them directly, you must
use MLA style.
 provide the author's name (or the title of the work) and the page number of the work in a
parenthetical citation
 provide full citation information for the work in your Works Cited list
Parenthetical Citations
MLA format follows the author-page method of citation. This means that the author’s name and the page
number(s) from which the quotation is taken must appear in the text and that a complete reference
should appear in your works cited list. The author's name appears either in the sentence itself or in
parentheses following the quotation or paraphrase, but the page number(s) should always appear
in the parentheses, not in the text of your sentence.
For example (author available):

Wordsworth stated that Romantic poetry was marked by a “spontaneous overflow of powerful
feelings” (263).

Romantic poetry is characterized by the “spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings” (Wordsworth
263).

Wordsworth extensively explored the role of emotion in the creative process (263).
For example (author unavailable):
If the work you are making reference to has no author, use an abbreviated version of the work’s title for
sources such as the Internet, films, TV series, pictures, or other media or electronic sources. The
title that you use should begin the entry in the Works Cited page.

An anonymous Wordsworth critic once argued that his poems were too emotional (“Wordsworth is
a Loser” 100).
Sometimes more information is necessary to identify the source from which a quotation is taken. For
instance, if two or more authors have the same last name, provide both authors’ first initials (or
even her or his full name if different authors share initials) in your citation. If you cite more than
one work by a particular author, include a shortened title for the particular work from which you are
quoting to distinguish it from the other works by that same person.
For example (two authors with the same last name):

Although some medical ethicists claim cloning will lead to designer children (R. Miller 12), others
note that the advantages for medical research outweigh this consideration (A. Miller 46).
For example (two works by the same author):

Lightenor has argued that computers are not useful tools for small children (“Too Soon” 38);
though, he has acknowledged that early exposure to computer games does lead to better small
motor skill development in a child’s second and third year (“Hand-Eye Development” 17).
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Quotations
Long Quotations
Long quotations should be used rarely; therefore, because the paper is so short, you are not allowed to use
long quotations in your research paper. However, so you’ll know how for longer papers in the
future, you would place quotations longer than four typed lines in a free-standing block of
typewritten lines, and omit quotation marks. Start the quotation on a new line, indented one inch
from the left margin, and maintain double-spacing. Your parenthetical citation should come after
the closing punctuation mark. When quoting verse, maintain original line breaks. You should
maintain double-spacing through your essay. Here is an example of a poem used as a long quote.

In “Sources,” Adrienne Rich explores the roles of women in shaping their world:
The faithful drudging child
the child at the oak desk whose penmanship,
hard work, style will win her prizes
becomes the woman with a mission, not to win prizes
but to change the laws of history. (23)
However, lines of poetry can be quoted in the paragraph as a short quote. Separate each line with a
backslash.

In “Sources,” Adrienne Rich explores the roles of women in shaping their world: “The faithful
drudging child/ the child at the oak desk whose penmanship, / hard work, style will win her prizes /
becomes the woman with a mission, not to win prizes / but to change the laws of history” (23).
Adding or Omitting Words in Quotations
If you add a word or words in a quotation, you should put brackets around the words to indicate that they
are not part of the original text. For example:

Jan Harold Brunvand, in an essay on urban legends, states: "some individuals [who retell urban
legends] make a points of learning every rumor or tale” (78).
If you omit a word or words from a quotation, you should indicate the deleted word or words by using
ellipsis marks (space period space period space period space). For example:

In an essay on urban legends, Jan Harold Brunvand notes that “some individuals make a point of
learning every recent rumor or tale . . . and in a short time a lively exchange of details occurs” (78).
17
Your Works Cited List
The works cited list should appear at the end of your essay. It provides the information necessary for a
reader to locate and be able to read any sources you cite in the essay. Each source you cite in the
essay must appear in your works cited list; likewise, each entry in the works cited list must be cited
in your text. Here are some guidelines for preparing your works cited list.
List Format





Begin your works cited list on a separate page (insert a page break in Word to start a new page)
from the text of the essay under the label Works Cited (with no quotation marks, underlining etc.),
which should be centered at the top of the page.
Make the first line of each entry in your list flush left with the margin. Subsequent lines in each
entry should be indented one-half inch. This is known as a hanging indent.
Double space all entries, with no skipped spaces between entries.
Keep in mind that underlining and italics are equivalent; you should select one or the other to use
throughout your essay.
Alphabetize the list of works cited by the first word in each entry (usually the author’s last name,
but sometimes the main word in a title).
Basic Rules for Citations









Authors’ names are inverted (last name first); if a work has more than one author, invert only the
first author’s name, follow it with a comma, then continue listing the rest of the authors.
If you have cited more than one work by a particular author, order them alphabetically by title, and
use three hyphens in place of the author’s name for every entry after the first.
When an author appears both as the sole author of a text and as the first author of a group, list
solo-author entries first.
If no author is given for a particular work, alphabetize by the title of the piece and use a shortened
version of the title for parenthetical citations.
Capitalize each word in the titles of articles, books, etc. This rule does not apply to articles, short
prepositions, or conjunctions unless one is the first word of the title or subtitle.
Underline or italicize titles of books, journals, magazines, newspapers, and films.
Use quotation marks around the titles of articles in journals, magazines, and newspapers. Also use
quotation marks for the titles of short stories, book chapters, poems, and songs.
List page numbers efficiently, when needed. If you refer to a journal article that appeared on pages
225 through 250, list the page numbers on your Works Cited page as 225-50.
If you’re citing an article or a publication that was originally issued in print form but that you
retrieved from an online database, you should provide enough information so that the reader can
locate the article either in its original print form or retrieve it from the online database (if they have
access). For more about this, see our discussion of electronic sources.
18
Common MLA Works Cited List Entry Formats
Consult pages 272-275 for examples of common MLA documentation formats. Those of most interest to you are included below.
Books
Author(s). Title of book. Place of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication.
*Editors’ names go behind the title of the book if author is present or in place of author if not. Use an ed.
before the editor’s name if author is present (Ed. Tom Jones.) or behind if not (Jones, Tom, ed.).
Essay in a journal that pages each issue separately
Duvall, John N. "The (Super) Marketplace of Images: Television as Unmediated Mediation in DeLillo's
White Noise.” Arizona Quarterly 50.3 (1994): 127-53.
Essay reprinted from another source in a new collection
Some articles may have been published earlier in magazines, for example, and are now republished,
perhaps in an anthology, a book of controversial issues, or the Internet. For such reprints, you are
basically combining two bibliographic entries: the original publishing information and the current
publishing information. Examples of articles reprinted (write “Reprint in” between the entries):
Reprint in Book
Jones, Tyrone. “The Boys’ Chant.” British Criticism Weekly 2.8 (4 June 1908): 18-20. Reprint
in Daniel G. Marowski and Roger Matuz, eds. Contemporary Literary Criticism. Vol.
43. Detroit: Gale Research Company, 1987: 164-166.
Reprint on Internet
Jones, Tyrone. “The Boys’ Chant.” British Criticism Weekly 2.8 (4 June 1908): 18-20. Reprint
in Andrew C. Jelen. “Cotton Mather’s Piety and the Defeat of the Witches.” Lawrence
University. 14 Nov. 2003. 21 Jan. 2010 < http://www.lawrence.edu/ jelena/mather.html>
Online Material
Here are some common features you should try to find before citing electronic sources in MLA style. Not
every Web page will provide all of the following information. However, collect as much of the following
information as possible both for your citations and for your research notes:
 Author and/or editor names (if available)
 Article name in quotation marks (if applicable)
 Title of the Website, project, or book in italics. (Remember that some Print publications have Web
publications with slightly different names. They may, for example, include the additional information
or otherwise modified information, like domain names [e.g. .com or .net].)
 Any version numbers available, including revisions, posting dates, volumes, or issue numbers.
 Publisher information, including the publisher name and publishing date.
 Take note of any page numbers (if available).
 Date you accessed the material.
 URL (if required, or for your own personal reference). place it in angle brackets at the end of your
citation.
World Wide Web Site
Harris, Jonathan G. "The Return of the Witch Hunts.” Witchhunt Information Page. 28 May 1996. 27 Aug.
2007 <http://liquid2sun.mit.edu/fells.short.html>
Interview that you conducted
Purdue, Pete. Personal Interview. 1 Oct. 2011.
19
Research Paper Basic Requirements
All of the following items must be submitted together to your English teacher on the due date in
order for your final research paper to be accepted and considered “on-time.” The final paper
components should be placed in a 9x12 envelope in the following order: outline page, body of final
paper, works cited list, notesheets, and rough drafts. Basic requirements not met on the research
paper final due date will yield a ten-point per day penalty deduction.
Yes
Revision
Needed
Basic Requirements
1. Paper is typed in 12-point, Times New Roman font, 1 inch margins, double-spaced.
2. The heading is correctly formatted (Name, Teacher Name, English IV, Date).
3. Student last name and page numbers are on each page as headers.
4. An outline contains a creative title, your thesis and the topic headings for your
paragraphs. The header on the outline should be indicated with the page
number i by your last name.
5. Thesis is clearly stated in the introduction and “wrapped” in the conclusion. Thesis
is supported by the content of the paper.
6. There is a minimum of five sources (one interview, two Internet, and two other
sources – no general encyclopedias). Each source must be creditable (no
Wikipedia, for example).
7. Correct documentation style is used throughout the entire paper (author’s last
name and the page number in parenthesis). Minimum of ten in-text citations (2
citations per source)
8. Works Cited page is correctly formatted (entries in MLA format and in
alphabetical order).
9. There is evidence of consistent and conscientious editing. Paper is written in third
person (No use of I, me, we, us, or you).
10. Paper is between four and six (Academic) or five and seven (Honors) pages.
11. All notes and related process materials have been submitted. Arrange the
notesheets used in the order the first information from that source appears in
the paper and staple them together. Any used sheets should be labeled
“unused” and stapled together separately.
20
English IV Research Paper Grade Sheet
Student Name _______________________________________________________
Teacher _________________________ Date _____________________________
IMPORTANT:

Papers not submitted on the due date are considered late and will be penalized 10 points
per day until submission.

Papers must pass the “Yes Test” to be graded. Any “no” on the first submission will stop
the process, and the paper will be returned to the student for revision and resubmission.
Papers that receive a “no” on any item will be considered late and will be penalized 10
points per day until the paper is resubmitted and passes the “Yes Test.”

Any evidence of plagiarism, intended or accidental, will stop the process and the paper will
be returned to the student for resubmission. The paper will be penalized 10 points per day
until revision and resubmission.
______________________________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature Acknowledging Policies/Procedures Stated Above
______________________________________________________________________________
Student Signature Acknowledging Policies/Procedures Stated Above
Yes / No Basic Requirements

Paper typed using 12 point Times New Roman font
Works Cited page with at least five sources
Ten in-text citations, two minimum per source; every
quote included on submitted notesheet
Paper meets minimum page length requirement
(4-6 for Academics, 5-7 for Honors, & 6-8 for AP)
Correct outline, body, and works cited page present
Date Initially Submitted____________________________________________________________
Date Returned to Student by Teacher_________________________________________________
Date Resubmitted________________________________________________________________
Research Paper Grade____________________________________________________________
21
Presentation Planner
Speech Content
Use the following outline to type your speech at least two weeks before the presentation date.
I. Introduction (1 minute)
A. Get the audience’s attention
B. State the topic and the thesis of the paper
C. Explain why you chose this topic
II. Body
A. Explain two to three major points from the Research Paper. (1 minute)
1.
2.
3.
B. Present and explain your research application. (1 minute)
C. Self-Growth: Describe what you learned about yourself in two or three areas below (1 minute)
1. Independent learning, Time management, or Organization
2. Problem solving, Use of resources, Communication
3. Presentation
4. Your future plans
5. Your ability to help others
III. Conclusion (30 seconds)
A. Restate your topic
B. Leave the audience thinking
Presentation Visual Aid Instructions
Students must have a PowerPoint presentation to use as a visual during their speeches.
PowerPoint Presentation

Design and create 8-10 slides. Include a title slide and an ending slide.

Include main ideas without being distracting.

No more than five points per slide; no more than five lines per slide.

Use color or a template as a background.

Import pictures from the Internet (cite parenthetically).

DO NOT use sound.

Use animation.

Have slide transition.

SAVE YOUR PRESENTATION ON A FLASH DRIVE AND ON YOUR LAPTOP.

Include a works cited slide where necessary.
22
Presentation Attire
Males:
Dress Slacks (may include khakis)
with an appropriate belt
Females:
Dress
or
or
Slacks & Dress Jacket
(Sports Coat)
Suits and Jackets should be
tasteful and in style.
Button-down or dress shirt with collar
and tie (or an appropriate dress shirt)
with shirt tucked in the slacks
A tasteful tie that coordinates with
the dress shirt and pants.
Dress shoes (something other than
tennis shoes)
Minimal and tasteful jewelry/accessories
Suit (slacks or skirt with
coordinated top, vest, and/
or jacket)
Dresses and skirts should be
Of tasteful and modest length
and style. Do not wear tight
clothing.
Blouses should coordinate
with the suit, should be long
enough to cover your midriff
and have a neckline that
comes up to the base of your
neck. Blouses should not fit
tightly and should be both
tasteful and modest. No
cleavage should be shown.
Dress shoes, no clogs or
sandals
Minimal and tasteful jewelry/
accessories
23
Presentation Rubric
Presenter:____________________________________________ Total Score:________________
Students should select key points from their research papers and research applications, prepare notes, and
rehearse their speeches. Students should not read the presentation.
Each speech should be 3-5 minutes. The teacher will arrange to set a timer at the beginning of each
presentation. The presenter will receive a warning after 4 minutes and 30 seconds. The speaker
will then have just 30 seconds to conclude.
*****
Exemplary
**
****
Strong
Developing
Content
Effective attention grabber - introduction
Clearly stated purpose
Main ideas supported by accurate/appropriate
details
Research application presented-explained
Research application relevance
Research application professionalism
Logical organization
Effective conclusion - closes entire speech
Delivery
Eye contact with audience members
Appropriate voice, volume, and rate
Evidence of speech practice; delivery beyond
reading of note cards
Effective word choice
Energy, gestures, enthusiasm, and
personalization
Composure and sophistication
Appropriate language (avoids slang/clichés)
Visual
Professional Appearance (PowerPoint)
Highlights the main points of the presentation
Bonus: Professional Appearance of the Speaker
***
Average
Below Standard
*
*****
****
***
**
*
6
6
6
5
5
5
4
4
4
3
3
3
2
2
2
6
6
6
6
6
5
5
5
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
6
6
6
5
5
5
4
4
4
3
3
3
2
2
2
6
6
5
5
4
4
3
3
2
2
6
6
5
5
4
4
3
3
2
2
5
5
5
4
4
4
3
3
0
2
2
0
1
1
0
Any presentation that does not have an application in Honors or AP will suffer a 15-point deduction in
addition to the 18-point quality deduction for the areas above. Hence, the highest possible score
would be a 68.
Total
___________________
24
Portfolio Description
A portfolio is a collection of work or related materials kept in a binder or folder. The sections in the portfolio
will cover all aspects of the project and the student's journey through the research process.
Portfolio Organization: Student Checklist
All components must be typed. Typing is a minimum requirement.
1.
Professionalism - Make the portfolio interesting to preview and graphically engaging, yet
professional (no clip art). Organize the portfolio into sections. Put dividers at the beginning of
each section.
2.
Cover Page - a creative but professional title page placed in the front cover of the clear view
binder. The cover page should contain the student’s name, class period, date and project title.
3.
Table of Contents and Accurate Page Numbering - Font, format and graphic decisions left to
the students should have a logical organization and a set design scheme. All pages should be
numbered and correspond to the page numbers listed in the table of contents.
4.
Letter of Introduction - business letter to the teacher explaining the student’s research,
application, and self-growth. The letter should be positive and error free.
5.
Prospectus Letter - formal letter written to the teacher explaining student's research topic and
application.
6.
Interview Transcript- a list of the interview questions and answers
7.
Thank-You letter - a photocopy of the hand-written note to the person whom the student
interviewed for his/her research or a typed letter. Outside of English IV, you should write thank-you
letters to admissions offices at colleges, a scholarship interview committee, a person funding a
scholarship, an employer who grants you an interview, or anyone who helps you succeed.
8.
Note Sheets - 5 from research
9.
Copy of research paper- a final copy of the student's entire paper, i.e. outline, paper and works
cited.
10.
Research Application – For Honors and AP students, a copy of your application if it is actually
small enough (a flyer, brochure, etc.); if not, use a photo of your creation.
11.
PowerPoint Presentation Copy – thumbnail printouts of the slides used in your presentation
25
Tips to Writing a Thank-You Note
According to writer Leslie Harpold, there is a “six-point formula” to writing thank you notes. She says,
“Learn it, know it, memorize it – and it will never fail you.” Originally published in a different format
at TheMorningNews.org, here are Harpold’s tips from “How to Write a Thank-You Note” with
graduation project examples.
1.
Greet the Giver
Examples: Dear Mrs. Westbrook,
Dear Mr. Bean,
Harpold insists that writers use blue or black ink and always handwrite their thank-you notes.
2.
Express your Gratitude
Example: Thank you so much for allowing me to interview you.
Harpold says to leave off “I am just writing to say….”
3.
Discuss Help – tell them how they were helpful
Examples:
I really appreciate you helping me stay on track.
I enjoyed learning so much about _______ from you.
You were helpful in proofreading/organization/letting me practice/giving ideas.
4.
Mention the Past, Allude to the Future
Examples: It was great to work with you this semester; I look forward to seeing
you at graduation.
5.
Grace – say thank you again
Example: Thanks again for helping me.
6.
Regards
Examples: Sincerely,
(or Fondly, Yours truly, etc.)
Joe Student (sign your name here)
26
Letter of Introduction
Using correct business letter format, write a letter of introduction to those who will read and view your
portfolio. Your letter should be well written, thoughtful, properly formatted, and positive. The
template below can guide you.
Your Street Address
Your City, State, and Zip Code
Date
Name of School
Street Address
City, State, and Zip Code
To Whom It May Concern:
Paragraph explaining your previous interest in the topic you chose to research and the focus of
the Research Paper
Paragraph explaining your research application and how it is related to your research
Paragraph explaining what unexpected difficulties you faced and how you overcame them
Paragraph explaining how your research was a learning stretch for you
Sincerely,
Your signature
Your Name (typed)
27
English IV Portfolio Rubric
Student Name:
Score
Criteria
Exceeds
Meets
Expectation Expectations
Does Not
Meet
Expectations
Not
Present
0
Cover Page
5
3
1
Table of Contents and Accurate Page Numbering
10
8.5
5
0
Letter of Introduction
10
8.5
5
0
Prospectus Letter
10
8.5
5
0
Interview Transcript
10
8.5
5
0
Copy of Thank-you Note
10
8.5
5
0
Note sheets (5)
10
8.5
5
0
Research Paper
10
8.5
5
0
Research Application (Honors and AP)
10
8.5
5
0
5
3
1
0
10
8.5
5
0
Copy of PowerPoint Presentation
Professionalism (section dividers, etc.)
Total points earned in each category
Note:
Any component not typed, with the
exception of a photocopy of a handwritten thank-you note, will be scored
as a zero.
Score
28
Research and General Essay Rubric (after minimum requirements are met)
Formatting
1. _______ (2) Writer has included a creative title, name, date and period on typed title page.
2. _______ (4) Writer has included a typed outline as a part of the final copy.
3. _______ (5) Writer has properly documented all sources on a typed “Works Cited” list.
Content
4. _______ (1) Writer has included title of the book, author, and/or topic in the introduction.
5. _______ (2) The introduction is creative and does not jump right into the paper topic.
6. _______ (3) The introduction is logical and elaborative, leading to a clear thesis statement.
7. _______ (6) Each body paragraph begins with a topic sentence that guides the paragraph
and that logically explains some part of the thesis.
8. _______ (10) Writer supports thesis by using cited research (quotes) as support from actual
text in each body paragraph.
9. _______ (5) Writer fully introduces each quote with appropriate transitions and punctuation.
10. _______ (5) Writer fully explains each quote after its inclusion with proper transitions.
11. _______ (4) Writer has used a variety of quotation formats (partial instead of long).
12. _______ (4) The research included in the paper comes from a variety of sources (at least 5).
13. _______ (12) Writer has avoided plagiarism by properly documenting (with author’s
last name and page number) within the paper text each word (using quotation marks) that
is another’s idea or diction. Plagiarized work will receive a zero.
14. _______ (6) Each body paragraph has an effective conclusion that explains part of thesis.
15. _______ (5) Each paragraph contains transitional elements which smoothly connect it to
the paragraph it follows.
16. _______ (7) Each paragraph deals with only one idea that supports the thesis, logically
ordered as set in outline.
17. _______ (4) Writer has an effective concluding paragraph that creatively leaves the
reader with a clear understanding of the significance/impact/ramifications/etc. of the
essay’s topic to the larger world and/or humanity.
18. _______ (5) The paper has “color” and a clear voice making it interesting to read.
Language
19. _______ (7) The paper is free of grammatical errors.
20. _______ (3) The paper is free of spelling errors.
_______
Length Deductions (12 font Times Roman plain/-25 points per page)
_______
Deduction for other minimum requirements not met: rough drafts, notesheets verbatim
and in order, folder, on-time, etc.