Research Paper Assignment Sheet CP
Research and Writing
A research paper is, first and foremost, a form of written communication. Like other forms of nonfiction
writing – themes, letters, memos, e-mail, reports, essays, articles, books – it should present information and
ideas clearly and effectively. But when most students are asked to write research papers, they often become so
preoccupied with gathering materials, taking notes, compiling bibliographies, and documenting sources that
they forget to apply the knowledge and skills that they have acquired through previous writing experiences.
All writing begins with the selection of a topic. The ability to limit and focus your topic is an intricate step in
the writing of the research paper. At the start of this assignment you should begin to gather materials and
sources that will help form and support a topic that you would like to research and explore.
When you have concluded your research for the paper, it is time to shape the information you have in hand into
a unified, coherent whole. Begin by framing a thesis statement for your paper: a single sentence that formulates
both your topic and your point of view toward it. Writing a thesis is a way to ensure that you will stay on topic
as you plan and write. Since you are required to have submitted your thesis statement for approval you will
already have a jump start on the purpose of your paper; however, if you feel that new information that you have
gathered has altered your primary purpose and, consequently, your thesis statement, a revised draft of your
thesis may be submitted the week before the research paper’s rough draft is due. If you have any difficulty with
the thesis statement I will be available after school or during my prep period (THIRD Period).
You will need to submit a detailed outline, which will present an overview of your paper. This step will help
you organize your ideas and the accumulated research into a logical, fluent, and effective paper. This step
toward the final process will assist you in eliminating unnecessary information as well as begin the shaping of
your paper. Many students have some vague understanding of the form and function of an outline; however,
outside of the general knowledge of its shape they have little idea about its purpose. In the creation of an outline
there are a few organizing principles that might assist you in the way in which you gather information.
Common organizing principles include:
 chronology - listing the information in a historical order
 cause and effect - showing the results of particular events
 process - a step by step listing of different aspects of one's research
 deductive logic - moving from the general to the specific
 inductive logic - moving from the specific to the general
In the actual creation of an outline you not only need to identify the way in which you should gather
information, but you should also keep in the mind the method you will use to develop that information in your
paper. For example, which of the following do you plan to accomplish?
 to define, classify, or analyze something
 to use descriptive details or give examples
 to compare or contrast one thing with another
 to argue a certain point of view
The focus of your information will dictate the method in which you plan to adopt. In the formation of an
outline you must come to terms with what is the function of the information that is being presented. Once this
has been decided upon the form of your outline can begin to take shape, which will in turn become the form of
your actual research paper.
A successful research paper is the culmination of a series of drafts. Start off by trying to set down all your ideas
in the order in which you want them to appear. Even though the writing may be hasty and fairly rough, the
rough draft should attempt to follow your outline (written or otherwise). You should then reread this material
and attempt to refine it. Next, review the corrected draft and make further changes. Concentrate on the flow
and coherence of the paper. Are you examining some aspect of your thesis in every single paragraph? Are
there transitional sentences that link the paragraphs together? Are there sufficient quotes that support all of
your claims? Is the paper grammatical free of errors? Continue these processes until you are satisfied that you
have done the best you can with the time available.
In revising, you may add, eliminate, and rearrange material. If a section of the original draft seems sketchy or
unclear you may have to expand it by writing another sentence or two or even a new paragraph. For the sake of
unity and the reader’s interest you should eliminate any material that is irrelevant, unimportant, repetitive, or
dull and dispensable. If the presentation of ideas seems illogical or confusing, you may find that you can clarify
by rearranging phrases, clauses, sentences, or paragraphs.
The Format of the Research Paper
Typing or Printing
Use a clean type. Avoid typewriters or fonts with script or other fancy print. Type or print on one side of the
paper; do not use the other side of the paper for any other purpose. No draft will be accepted that has a type
setting greater then 12 pt. Like all papers that have been due throughout the year, the research paper must be
typed using Times New Roman. No rough draft or final draft will be accepted if it is hand written.
Paper
Use only white 8 ½ by 11-inch paper.
Margins
Except for the page numbers, leave one-inch margins at the top and bottom and on both sides of the text. Indent
the first word of each new paragraph twelve spaces from the left margin (which is more than likely the default
setting on your computer). Indent offset quotations (box-quotes) twenty-four spaces from the left margin.
Spacing
The research paper must be double-spaced throughout, including quotations, notes, and the works cited.
Heading and Title Page
For this research paper a MLA style title page is required. A sample title page is attached. See Index A. The
title page is to include the title of the paper, your name, the course’s name, the instructor’s name, and the date
all on separate lines.
Page Numbers
Number all pages consecutively throughout the manuscript in the upper right-hand corner, one half inch from
the top. Type a running head (a running head is to include your last name) and the page number flush against
the right margin and leave a double space between the head and the text of your paper.
Works Cited
The list of the works cited appears at the end of the paper. Begin the list on a new page and number that page as
you have throughout the text of the paper. One example is that the last page of the text is page 6 then the works
cited page would be page 7. Type the running head in the upper right-hand corner, one-half inch from the top,
and center the title ‘Works Cited’ one inch from the top of the page. Double-space between the title and the
first entry. Begin each entry flush with the left margin, and if it runs more than one line, indent the subsequent
line or lines twelve spaces, both between and within entries. Continue the list on as many pages as necessary.
Alphabetize all entries in the list of the works cited by the author’s last name, using the letter-by-letter system.
If the author name is unknown, alphabetize by using the first word in the title other than A, An or The. See
works cited page for proper notation of each entry.
Guidelines for This Research Paper
Now that all the general guidelines have been explained it is important to outline the rules that govern this
particular research paper:
1. All the guidelines that have been laid out in the “Research Paper Assignment Sheet” are to be strictly
observed. Any deviance from the required format will result in a point deduction. There will be a 2-point
deduction for each formatting error.
2. Please take note of all the due dates for the assignments. With a project of this magnitude, late submissions
will not be tolerated. THERE ARE NO EXTENSIONS FOR ANY ASSIGNMENT IN THE RESEARCH
PROJECT. If you are absent the day the paper is due and do not have it the moment you return to school
the assignment will NOT be accepted.
3. This research paper requires a minimum of FIVE secondary sources and ONE primary source. For a source
to be cited in the works cited page it must be used in the body of the paper. An Encyclopedia, Dictionary,
or Almanac will not be viable secondary sources. They may be cited, but THREE other secondary sources
will still be required.
4. Any form of plagiarism will result in a zero for the entire research paper assignment.
5. The following breakdown will dictate the final grade for the research paper:
Topic Proposal
Annotated Bib.
Thesis Statement
Outline
Rough Draft
Final Draft
(40 pts.)
(125 pts.)
(40 pts.)
(125 pts.)
(150 pts.)
(300 pts.)
total:
780 points
6. Quotes and paraphrases will be required to support each of your claims. This aspect of the RESEARCH
paper is not to be taken lightly. While it is understood that the foundation of your paper is your own
personal insights, it is expected that your insights carry the validation of experts in the field. Please DO
NOT submit a paper that only gives cursory support from outside sources, bolster your argument with the
weight of authority.
7. Excessive grammatical and spelling errors will result in a point deduction. There will be a one-point
deduction for any error exceeding either three grammatical or three spelling errors.
8. To receive a “C” on this assignment you must write a minimum of SEVEN pages -- anything less will
result in a 15-point deduction. To receive a score higher than a “C” you must write more than FIVE pages.
The Specifics:
The Topic Proposal (40 points … Due: Friday, April 25)
The topic proposal is the focal point of your paper. It is to concern some author of interest. You will submit a
word-processed one-page document (adhering to all MLA formatting guidelines) detailing your topic, the
literary importance of your author, the primary source you plan on studying, and what you hope to gain from
your research. THIS STEP IN THE PROCESS MUST BE APPROVED BY THE INSTRUCTOR (that’s me)
AND SUBMITTED BEFORE ANY OTHER STEP IN THE RESEARCH PAPER PROCESS. This is the only
step in the research paper process in which you will be allowed to write in first person.
Annotated Bibliography & Close Read (125 points … Due: Thursday, May 1)
You are to locate SIX sources that pertain to your limited topic, at least FOUR of these sources must have been
published in either a journal, newspaper, or another type of periodical. Sorry, the Internet is only so reliable...
you can find your articles there, but they must have appeared in a periodical to count toward one of the FOUR.
Also, NO BOOKS – we both know you won’t read the entire text; therefore, why should you get to claim you
did; however, if it is an essay that is part of a book that will be acceptable. The annotated bibliography MUST
be typed and adhere to ALL MLA requirements. Standard MLA format for personal information (name, class,
period ect.) The library has an excellent site that illustrates how to cite for the works cited. In addition to the
bibliography for each article submitted, you must also type a paragraph summary (four sentences) of that article
beneath the annotation. So, first you locate an appropriate article, then you create an MLA citation, then
beneath the citation you type a four sentence paragraph summary, then you double space and repeat the process.
Enjoy. Also, in addition to the annotated bibliography, you MUST submit all articles (they MUST ALL have
been closely read) that are in the annotated bibliography for teacher review.
Thesis Statement (40 points … Due: Monday, May 5)
The thesis is one sentence (only one) that is the rudder of your paper. It is this sentence that will appear as the
last sentence of the first paragraph on both your ROUGH and FINAL DRAFT of your paper. By this point in
the paper, you should have begun gathering data and should have a firm grasp on what you plan on writing
about. We have written thesis statements all year, this time I would like you to take great care in creating one.
You will submit the thesis statement on a 3 by 5 index. Any sentence approved by the end of class, or prior to,
MAY 5 will receive an “A.” All subsequently approved sentences will lose points a daily.
Topic Outline (125 points … Due: Monday, May 12)
You will need to submit a detailed outline which will present an overview of your. There will be a handout,
which will assist you in the creation of this step in the process. Please be detailed and use quotations from your
texts and research documents with proper documentation. Word processing is required.
Rough Draft (150 points … Due: Tuesday, May 20)
The Rough Draft is to be a complete paper (WITH WORKS CITED PAGE). The rough draft must be at least
SEVEN pages long and fulfill all formatting requirements. The better your rough draft is the better your final
product will be.
Final Draft (300 points & ½ final exam grade … Due: Friday, May 30)
The Final Draft of your research paper must be submitted or you WILL NOT pass the course (Don’t test me on
this one). It must fulfill all requirements set forth in this packet. End of story.
The Assignment:
Below is the list of authors that you have been studying throughout this year and your high school career. Your
assignment is to select ONE author of interest (if an author does not appear on the list and you still wish to write
a report on that author you may submit a verbal application to the instructor and bolster it with at least five
sources to illustrate that you can locate enough information about your author of interest). Once an author is
selected you will need to select at least ONE primary source from that author to use in your research paper.
Your research should address three specific areas:
 Biographical information
 Theme and Style of the author
 Discussion of Theme and Style in reference to specific literary works
Each of these areas should be in balance with the others. A paper laden with biographical research will be stale
and mundane; conversely, a paper burdened with literary analysis will be pretentious and pedantic. A clean
paper will seek to do an in-depth study of the author existing on a myriad of levels. This is the culminating
project at the end of a year of intense study, the paper should reflect this. Please make sure that your paper
includes THREE secondary sources and ONE primary source. The focus of your paper can be thematic,
stylistic, or theoretical.
Authors
Ernest Hemingway
Sherwood Anderson
John Updkie
EA Robinson
William Faulkner
Edgar Lee Masters
Kurt Vonnegut
Ernest Gaines
Thorton Wilder
TS Eliot
JD Salinger
Arthur Miller
John Steinbeck
Maya Angelou
Zora Neale Hurston
Lorraine Hansberry
Robert Frost
Edward Albee
Langston Hughes
"A thing of beauty is a joy forever." - Keats
"Shut it and bring it" - Schurtz
Closing Comments:
Unlike any theme, essay question or assignment to date, this research paper is a culminating
event. It is an opportunity for you to illustrate all that you have learned this year and years past.
I urge you to undertake this assignment in the most scholarly fashion possible. This is not to be a
fly by night paper. Remember that I am not looking for a biography or a summary. ONE LAST
REMINDER, YOUR ANSWER IS NEVER WRONG, BUT CAN BE UNDERDEVELOPED
OR WITHOUT SUPPORT.
Studying Contemporary and Classical Literature
Through Thematic Links
By:
Joseph Example
English 11 Period 12
Mr. Schurtz
27 April 2005