Research Paper
US II Honors 2015
Objective: In a group of people you will collaboratively write a 4-5 page research paper with a
clear and concise thesis. You will support the thesis with credible and historically relevant
evidence. You will also present the material in your paper in the form of a powerpoint
presentation to the class.
Timeline: In the next week or so, you will need to pick a topic. We will be in a computer lab on
4/7. Once you give me your topic
1. Discuss and confirm what the responsibilities of each group member will be during the
process
2. Share your document with me in Google Docs. I will periodically monitor the revision
history of Google Docs as needed.
DUE DATE-- May 22, 2015-
1. The paper will be due in hard copy as well as electronically through turnitin.com
2. Your presentations will be finished at this time and should be printed and handed to me
along with the paper. No revisions are allowed passed May 22th. You will begin the
presentations in late May.
3. All members of the group are responsible for bringing to my attention if they believe
someone in the group is not doing their share of the responsibilities.
Topics: Every group may pick a decade from which they will choose a topic.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
1900s
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000-2010
Topics Cont’d
The topic must be controversial and persuasive. You must CONVINCE the reader the point you
are proving is correct
Acceptable topics
The prosecution and execution of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg was as a result of a
wrongful conviction based on insufficient evidence.
The Second World War began as a result of the ineffectiveness of the Treaty of Versailles
to adequately deal with the reconstruction of Germany.
Not acceptable
-
The Battle of Okinawa was the bloodiest battle in Pacific War for the American military
-
Roosevelt was the greatest president in American history
-
Herbert Hoover disgraced the presidency
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The bombing of Dresden was not good for Germany.
Stay away from obvious topics.
Stay away from topics you CANNOT prove
WRITING THE THESIS PAPER
In order to write a thesis statement, you will have to do a considerable amount of preliminary
research. That is because before you can write a statement, you need to know enough about your
topic to have a general idea of what you want to say in your paper.
The research paper should contain the:
1.Introduction
a. Having selected the topic you should then determine the main idea of your paper. In
other words, decide on the THESIS of your paper. By writing down your THESIS, you
state what you are trying to prove or disprove.
b. A thesis is not an indisputable fact nor is it based upon a personal prejudice.
c. The thesis presents an argument. This argument can be defended with facts gathered in
research.
Examples:



Indisputable fact (nothing to prove): The Panama Canal was built by the U.S. after
France failed to complete the project
Personal Prejudice (The only evidence would be your own opinion!): The Panama Canal
could not be completed by the French because they are too emotional.
Presents an argument (can be proved or disproved with facts): The Panama Canal was
acquired by the U.S. as a result of a conspiracy involving Theodore Roosevelt and certain
business interests.
Explain your thesis by providing the setting (i.e. time, place, names of key Characters), and the
circumstances that gave rise to the thesis that you are investigating.
2. Body
The body of your paper should include the evidence necessary to support your thesis.
a. Evidence should be drawn from primary sources when possible and from reliable
secondary sources that investigate your topic in depth. You are also allowed to use the
Internet. Be careful when using this source. You must go to reputable sites, know your
source.
b. What are primary sources? - Letters, diaries, eyewitness accounts, speeches, official
records, government documents, etc. The Library website has several places where you
can access thousands of these.
c. What are secondary sources? - A secondary source is a review by someone not at the
scene of a event, has no direct contact with the people and/or events written about or
discussed. (journal articles, scholarly works, etc)
d. Each paragraph should present evidence that helps prove your thesis and be followed up
by analysis that explains to the reader how this information helped prove your point
3. Summary (Conclusion)
The summary of your paper (including statements) should rest on the evidence presented in the
body of the paper. It should include a restatement of the thesis and summary of the major
arguments supporting the thesis. This is where you show that you proved your thesis. There
should be no new evidence presented.
Font: Times New Roman
Size: 12
Spacing: Double
Citations: Chicago Style Footnotes (link now posted on Schoolwires)
Sources: 4 total (minimum of one primary source)
•
No general encyclopedias online or otherwise
•
Check thoroughly any internet site for its reliability
Basic rubric for the paper:
15%- Spelling and Grammar: All aspects of this should be PERFECT
15%- Required Elements and structure: Paragraph structure is excellent, it meets the
requirements for length and all other required aspects. This includes the format of the works
cited page and your footnotes.
20%- Thesis: This must be done properly or content will suffer. Clearly stated and not obvious.
No “Mexico lost the Mexican war”. (Avoid words such as “greatest”, “best”, “worst”)
It must be a statement that is debatable. You will prove that it is correct throughout your paper. I
want the thesis statement at the end of the 1st paragraph
50%- Content: It must be focused on the thesis throughout the paper. Content must be relevant
and accurate.
FAILURE TO CITE PROPERLY WILL CAUSE YOU TO RECEIVE A FAILING GRADE
REGARDLESS OF THE QUALITY OF THE CONTENT. BE CAREFUL.
FAILURE TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY CAN CAUSE A REDUCTION IN ONE OR
MORE OF THE STUDENTS GRADES.
Presentation: Your groups will present the content of their paper to the class in a powerpoint.
Each slide should be dedicated to a corresponding paragraph in your paper (include your Thesis
in one of the slides) It should NOT rewrite the paragraph, but it should summarize the evidence
used and the point behind the paragraph. All students in the group must be equal participants in
the presentation effort. All students must be prepared to answer questions about their content
from the teacher and students.
Example Slide:
Point: What am I trying to prove
Evidence: What evidence I used to prove it
Source: Where did I get the evidence
Overall Grade Breakdown:
80% Research Paper
20% Presentation
Good luck and please use me as a resource if needed.