ENG 120 – RESEARCH PAPER
Value: 200 points
 Proposal
 Source Analysis
 2 Peer Reviews
 Final Draft
25 pts
50 pts
25 pts
100 pts
Due Dates
 Proposal
11/10
 Source Analysis 11/22
 Peer Reviews
12/1, 12/8
 Final/Presentation 12/13
Requirements:
 8-10 pages
 MLA Format
 Minimum of five sources total. You must use the library website/databases for at least two
sources. You must also use at least one print source and one face-to-face interview.
 Submit to Turnit.com, failure to do so will result in a 10 point deduction
Description of the Research Paper:
You will conduct research on a topic of interest to you. The topics should be local and/or
contemporary in order to work well. You must pick a topic for which there are living experts in
the area who will be accessible to you. Use your peers to help find contacts in your chosen field.
Other than these limits, you can choose any topic you want. Once you decide on a topic, come
up with a few general questions that you would like to investigate; these will help you direct
your search. Be sure your questions are reasonable in their scope.
Proposal:
This one-page, typed assignment should reflect both your interest in the subject and your
preliminary explorations. The proposal should describe how you became interested in your
search, what you already know, what you hope to find out, and how you plan to do it. This piece
should be of use to you later when you begin writing the introduction to your paper.
Source Analysis:
This two-page, typed assignment consists of two parts:
 You will conduct at least one face-to-face interview with an expert on your topic. You should
take very thorough notes during your interview (recording the interview is highly
recommended, if possible). You will review this information and present the most important
points learned in the interview in a one-page write-up. Start planning and scheduling this
interview as soon as possible to ensure that you meet the deadline.

Choose two other sources (print or electronic) and write a minimum half-page description for
each source. The description should state the relevance of the source to your research
project. This is your interpretation and evaluation of the sources. Include a works cited
page.
Peer Review Rough Draft – Intro: Bring two copies of your introduction to class. Paper
should include the following:


Intro— define the problem or controversy, provide background/pertinent information on
your topic
A thesis statement—a debatable, focused statement that provides the argument for your
paper
Peer Review Rough Draft – Body & Conclusion: Bring two copies of the body and
conclusion to class. Paper should include the following:



The body—a detailed discussion of the problem, event, or controversy using your
research to support your thesis
A conclusion—What have you learned? What do you recommend? What are possible
solutions? What are you still concerned about?
A works cited page
Final Draft: Revise and edit all drafts to create your final draft. Back up all copies! Submit
paper to turnitin.com.
Presentation: You will briefly summarize your paper to the class in a 5-10 minute presentation.
State the thesis, the main points, and describe one surprising thing you learned in conducting
your research.
EXTRA CREDIT
Review the lessons from the Online Research Lab and describe how the content from each lesson
can be directly applied to your research project. You may turn in an extra-credit assignment for
each lesson, for a total of 13 assignments. Each assignment must be typed and one-half to one
page in length. Each assignment will be worth 10 points, the equivalent of an online journal
assignment. You may turn these in as you work on the research project; the last day I will accept
extra credit is Thursday, December 8.