Name________________________
ENG 1 H
Enrique’s Journey Research Paper
Due Friday, April 17th
Now that you have finished reading Enrique’s Journey, you will gather other sources
about children crossing the Mexican border to enter the U.S. illegally. Then, you will
write a 4-6-page paper evaluating Nazario’s argument and presenting your own point of
view on the topic. Strive for the appropriate tone. You will want to write a paper that is
perceptive and convincing–that conveys your voice and your opinions–rather than a
simple summary of others’ points of view.
The Requirements:
 Gather points from Enrique’s Journey that support and challenge your ideas
about the issue.
 Find 4-6 other credible sources to extend your understanding of the topic.
1.) At least one source must be an article from a library database (please see
list of recommended databases from the Media Center).
2.) At least one source must offer an opposing view to something in the text.
3.) At least one source must be a book review of Enrique’s Journey.
4.) One source must be visual (a photo, a graph/chart, a political cartoon).
 Using the template provided, complete two note cards per source (at least 8
note cards in total).
 Create an outline that follows the format provided.
 You must type a Works Cited page and comply with MLA formatting
guidelines (your paper must be double-spaced in 12 point font and include: a
header in the upper-right hand corner of each page; a title page; and, proper intext citations).
 The paper must be 4-6 pages in length (does not include the title page and
Works Cited page).
A.) Research Questions: What is Nazario’s argument? To what extent is her
argument valid? How does Nazario build her argument? What is my point of view
concerning Central American child migrants and the mothers who leave them behind?
Thesis (Record a tentative thesis statement here):
B.) The Outline
Your research paper will be structured as follows:
Section I. Introduction
In this section, you will introduce the topic as well as the topic’s connection to Enrique’s
Journey. Pull your reader in by offering a compelling statistic or by asking your reader
a provocative question. Think of how Sonia Nazario presents the issue in her Prologue
to capture the reader’s attention. Don’t discuss your evidence yet; stay broad.
BEGINNING
 Grab your reader’s attention by starting with an interesting statistic,
quote, or anecdote. NEVER begin your paper saying, “In this paper, I will”
or “This paper is about.” Start strong. Consider introducing your topic
with a surprising fact or a poignant story.
MIDDLE
 Write one sentence summarizing each of your main arguments. Do not go
into excruciating detail explaining every single fact; instead, you want to
provide an overview of your main points.
END
 End with your thesis statement. It expresses the overall idea of your
paper and shows where you stand on the topic. Be sure to answer all
of the research questions presented in Part A in 1-2 sentences.
Your thesis statement should be clear, concise, and specific.
Section II. The Book’s Argument
This is the first main part of your essay. In this section, you will examine Nazario’s
central arguments. Don’t try to capture all of the elements of the book. You need to
decide what’s most important. As you recount Nazario’s presentation of the
information, discuss the strategies she uses to make her point. Consider the role of
rhetoric–Ethos, Pathos, and Logos–as you analyze Nazario’s techniques. Use quotes
from the text to prove your points about the techniques the author employs to show her
readers her view of the issue. Don’t introduce your outside research. Here you want to
look at Nazario’s treatment of the issue. Call your reader’s attention to strengths or
weaknesses in the author’s approach. Be careful not to provide a summary. Look at
how she persuades readers.
Section III. Researched Points of View
Discuss the research you uncovered. Discuss how your articles support or extend the
book’s arguments. Explain opposing points of view or add additional evidence the
author could have considered to bolster her story. Did you uncover any contradictory
evidence that makes the book’s data ambiguous? With whom do you most agree?
Section IV. Conclusion
Try to be persuasive as you close your paper. You should present your ultimate
judgment of Nazario’s book. Then you should present the position you take after all of
your research and consideration of the topic.
Section V. Works Cited
Compile a list of works that you cited in your paper according to MLA style. Entries are
alphabetized by the author’s last name, or by their title if there is no known author.
Indent the second and subsequent lines of citations.
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/02/
C.) Deadlines for the Research Project:
Step 1: Collecting Source Information
Due Wednesday, 4/1
Step 2: Create Thesis and a Working Outline
Due Monday, 4/13
Step 3: Research Paper Deadline
Due Friday, 4/17
*I will be collecting a hard copy of your paper. Additionally, you must
submit it to turnitin.com by 3 pm on Friday, April 17th.
D.) Research Paper Outline
Section I. Introduction
Hook:
Nazario’s argument:
Summarize each of your main arguments:
1.) To what extent is Nazario’s argument valid?
2.) How does Nazario build her argument?
3.) What is my point of view concerning Central American child migrants and the
mothers who leave them behind?
Thesis (should be 1-2 sentences):
Section II. The Book’s Argument
a.) Topic Sentence #1 (Identify one of Nazario’s arguments in Enrique’s Journey and
name the strategies she employs to prove her point):
1.) Evidence (statistics; government policies; court cases; anecdotes; interviews;
case studies; quotations from experts)
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2.) Strategies (ethos; pathos; logos)
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3.) Strengths/weaknesses in Nazario’s approach
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b.) Topic Sentence #2 (Identify one of Nazario’s arguments in Enrique’s Journey
and name the strategies she employs to prove her point):
1.) Evidence (statistics; government policies; court cases; anecdotes; interviews;
case studies; quotations from experts)



2.) Strategies (ethos; pathos; logos)


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3.) Strengths/weaknesses in Nazario’s approach



Section III. Researched Points of View
a.) Topic Sentence #1 (How does one of the articles you researched support or
extend the book’s arguments?)
1.) Evidence (statistics; government policies; court cases; anecdotes; interviews;
case studies; quotations from experts)



2.) Additional evidence Nazario could have considered to bolster her
argument?
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b.) Topic Sentence #2 (How does one of the articles you researched oppose the
book’s arguments? Did you uncover any contradictory evidence that makes the
book’s data ambiguous?)
Counterevidence and alternative interpretations
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
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c.) Topic Sentence #3 (OPTIONAL)
d.) Topic Sentence #4 (What is your point of view concerning Central American
child migrants and the mothers who leave them behind? With whom do you most
agree? Why?)
Evidence (statistics; government policies; court cases; anecdotes; interviews;
case studies; quotations from experts)



Section IV. Conclusion
Restate each argument
What is your ultimate judgment of Nazario’s book?
What position do you take after all of your research and consideration of the
topic?
RESEARCH PAPER RUBRIC
Content
You have evaluated the central arguments Nazario presented in
Enrique’s Journey, analyzed Nazario’s rhetorical strategies, examined
strengths and weaknesses in the author’s approach, discussed how the
articles you found supported or opposed Nazario’s argument, and
established your own position regarding Central American child
migrants.
/23 points
Organization
-You have followed the outline I provided
-You included transitions within and between paragraphs
-You have successfully embedded quotations
-Each topic sentence is clear and supports the thesis statement
/20 points
Mechanics
(very few, if any, errors in spelling, punctuation, capitalization, syntax,
and word choice)
/10 points
Follows MLA Formatting Guidelines
-You have included in-text citations that comply with MLA formatting
guidelines
-Your title page complies with MLA formatting guidelines
-Your works cited page complies with MLA formatting guidelines
-Your research paper complies with MLA formatting guidelines
/10 points
Use of at least FOUR SOURCES
(at least one article from an online database, one opposing view, one
book review, and one visual)
/16 points
Works Cited Page
/5 points
Note Cards
-You must have a total of eight note cards
-You must have two note cards per source
/10 points
Outline
-Your research paper outline must be typed
-It must follow the format I provided
/6 points