English 4 Research Paper Checklist
Research Prep
____ I have included all rough drafts of my research paper. The drafts show a significant
amount of revision and editing corrections.
____ I have included the most recent version of my outline.
Research Paper
Format
____ I have used standard-sized, 12 pt. Times New Roman font.
____ My title, centered is on the top of the 1st page. I have followed the following rules:
DO NOT write your title in all capital letters.
DO NOT underline or use quotation marks.
DO capitalize the first letter of each work in the title EXCEPT FOR articles (a,
an, the) and prepositions (of, in, on, against, between, to, etc.)
_____ I used double-spacing throughout my paper , including the Works Cited page.
_____ My paper has proper headings on each page.
Mechanics, Usage, and Style
____ I have written in a style appropriate to the subject, assignment, and audience. I
have avoided contractions, abbreviations, and slang.
____ I ran spell check and grammar check.
____ I have personally checked my paper for
___ Errors concerning grammar and usage
___ Errors concerning the use of “I” and “You”
___ Errors concerning punctuation
____ I have italicized all titles of books and databases. I have put quotation marks
around all article titles.
____ After the 1st reference to an individual, I have used his or her last name only, except
where it would cause confusion with other family members. I have used the full
name again only in my concluding paragraph.
____ I have read my entire paper out loud in order to catch awkwardness, repetition,
faulty logic, and the like because I know the ear will catch much that the eye
misses.
Documentation of Borrowed Material
____ I have cited all 10 sources required for my paper at least ONCE in the paper.
____ The citations in my essay correspond with my Works Cited sheet. All sources listed
on my Works Cited sheet are mentioned in my paper at least ONCE.
____ I cite sources by the FIRST AVAILABLE piece of information on the Works Cited
page. For books, this will usually be the author’s last name and page numbers
(Smith 6). For web sites and Databases, this will could be an author’s last name
only (Smith) or the article title (“Elizabeth I”).
____ I have summarized, paraphrased, and used direct quotations.
____ I do not quote any material that could easily be put into my own words.
____ I have used no more than 1-2 direct quotes in each body paragraph.
____ All information that is NOT COMMON KNOWLEDGE is properly cited. There
are at least 3 citations per body paragraph from different sources.
____ I have developed and expanded my borrowed material, not merely stating facts, but
explaining, commenting, and providing connections. I have not just strung together
a number of quotations; I have integrated them into my discussion and have
included my own ideas and analysis.
____ I have checked my Works Cited page and revised it, making sure that:
___ All works are mentioned in the paper.
___ It includes only the works mentioned in the paper.
___ The entries are alphabetized.
___ The format follows examples given by the librarian.
Structure and Content
____ My paper is 4-5 pages in length for College Prep, 5-6 pages in length for Honors,
and 7-10 paged in length for Advanced Placement. Each page is 23 lines a page,
including headings.
____ My thesis is the last sentence of my introduction. There is an ADEQUATE amount
of lead up to the thesis statement. I follow the format for an anecdotal, contrast, or
funnel introduction.
____ I have used appropriate transitions, avoiding “so,” “then,” “well,” or “but” at the
beginning of sentences.
____ Every quote have a “lead in” or introduction of my own words. (W.B. Yeats once
said, “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.”) I have
followed instructions for punctuation placement.
____ Each paragraph contains a topic sentence, supporting details, and a concluding
thought.
____ The paper reflects my best effort.
Examples of quoting and paraphrasing:
•
Julius Caesar invades in 55 B.C. and the empire doesn’t withdraw until 410 when the
Roman Empire collapses (Jones 6).
• No need to quote statistics or dates. Put this information in your own words.
•
The Romans contributed to the civilization of early Britain by “creating law and order,
providing roads and infrastructure, and introducing a more passive way of life” (Andrews
7).
•
Milton once wrote in Paradise Lost, “It is better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven.”
• No citation when you mention the citation information in the lead up to the quote.
This is the author’s last name here.