Honors Cause/Effect Research Paper
Name ______________________
2016 - Obj: Using good research techniques, students will write a 4-7 page analysis paper on a topic
related to 20th or 21st century American politics, society, or history. Address these questions:
**1. Consider the impact a movement/law/ or event had on the American people.
2. How did this topic influence thought, art, literature, lives?
[3. What literature was written about this?]
I. Preparation
DUE DATE
A. Understand how to use note cards to do research.
1. Teacher explanation on using note cards for research work.
2. Plagiarism handout and practice
3. Complete exercise with given material [absent-Practical Writer TE p. 220 ex A]
Draw 4 cards on paper and follow the directions for completing each card.
_______
(20 pts)
B. Writer’s Craft – Read pp. 271-288 and pp 367-368 cause-and-effect
C. Worksheet Taking notes/ Works Cited Exercise (10 pts)
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D. Identify a topic of interest.
_______
II.
Research
[Also look for speech topic research]
A. Note cards
(50 pts)
_______
1. Minimum 4 sources (only one encyclopedia entry)
2. Minimum 30 information note cards on topic. (34 cards total min.)
B. Using the 34+ note cards develop an outline.
_______
III.
Written research paper.
A. Thesis (“limited subject” is “ precise opinion”) and blueprint must be checked
_______
B. Rough draft written every other line – ready to be edited.
_______
[Papers which do not seem to be at least C quality will have an additional draft due.]
C. Final draft form:
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1. Follow example in WC pp. 294-304 (form and double spaced- MLA format)
2. At least 4 full typed pages for main document.
3. Pictures/ charts are useful, but optional. They are not included in the page count.
4. Separate page for Works Cited page. (see WC pp. 290-293)
5. Include 5 complex sentences underlined in ink.
6. Include a minimum of 4 parenthetical documentations. (WC p. 286)
7. Use your own words, unless citing the source.
Check the prompt again. An American topic ( a movement/law /event/trend) is the starting point
for the effects you will be researching. The topic chosen needs to be understood, but the emphasis is on the
results/outcome/influences.
Honors Cause/Effect Research Paper
Name ______________________
Note: The research paper topic is not a person, but it may be an invention, law, movement, etc.
created by or associated with a person. Example - The assembly line begun by Henry Ford. Your research
would be how the assembly line has changed lives, thinking and even literature and songs.
The research focuses on the effect on American lives.
General topic possibilities ( the list is endless):
Welfare reform
Air travel
Radio or television
Recycling
Harlem Renaissance
Atomic Bomb
Immigration
NRA
New Deal
America in WWI or WWII
League of Nations/U.N.
Social Security
Roaring Twenties
Terrorism security
Shopping malls
Women’s rights
Mainstreaming in education
Stock Market crash
Rock and Roll
Medical advances-e.g.
Suburban life
vaccines, transplants
Jazz
Woodstock
Civil Rights Movement
Conscientious Objectors
Industrialism
Miranda v. Arizona
Roe v. Wade (1973)
Affirmative action
Welsh v. US (1970)
Space program
Development of National Parks
World Trade Tower Attack
Sanitation
Satellites
Amusement/theme parks
OJ Simpson trial
Pearl Harbor
Home schooling
New technology– e.g. lasers,
Automotive/fuel changes
Fiber Optic cables
computers
Gun Control legislation
Independent Party or Tea Party
Meriam Report of 1928-
The Red Cross charter
Native Americans
1900
San Francisco Earthquake 1906
Kodak Brownie camera
Boy/Girl Scouting
Lie Detector
Prayer in public school
Environmental issue
Space program
DNA discovered
Credit cards
Great Depression
Scopes Trial
U.S. National Debt
American Art Movements
American architectural styles
Automobile safety rules
Education reforms-Common
Core standards; Race to the Top
Health Care
Cyber attacks
Honors Cause/Effect Research Paper
Name ______________________
The research paper topic is not a person, but it may be an invention, law, movement, etc. created by
or associated with a person.
On the other hand, an informative speech topic based on the same body of
research might be a particular car or major changes in the car design or Ford, the man himself.
American Speech - Informative Speech
Topic: An informative presentation based on your research paper topic
This is NOT a reading of your paper. Select one interesting aspect of your topic to do
more in depth research and then inform us on that topic. For instance, your research paper topic
is how recycling has changed us; your speech topic might be on recycling electronics, local
recycling companies, or products made from recycled goods.
Requirements:
3-4 minutes in length
topic connected to your research paper
written outline given to teacher at least 24 hours before speech is given
visual aid is required – map, chart, picture, poster, model, etc.
note cards (before handing it in, copy outline onto 5-6 note cards) to use while speaking
Evaluation: (100 pts)
Content
Delivery
Topic choice (5)
Introduction (5)
Organization (10)
Research/Information/Visual aid (20)
Originality (10)
Conclusion (5)
Eye contact (10)
Use of voice (10)
Enthusiasm (10)
Platform movement/Posture (5)
Absence of filler words (10)
Sample written outline (turned in 24 hours before speaking)
Title
Purpose statement
I. Introduction
A. Attention getter (motivator)
B. Thesis
C. Preview (blueprint)
II. Body
A. Main point
1. Subpoint
2. subpoint
a. subpoint
b. subpoint
c. subpoint
B. Main point
C. Main point
III. Conclusion
A. Summary
B. Clincher/Restate thesis
Create subpoints as
needed for
the 2-4 main points.