THE Birth Order Project: How Your Place in Your Family Affects Who You Are
As part of our unit exploration, we will be investigating many questions of how a person can best be represented and
deeply understood.
 What influences who we are and who we will become in the future?
 What role does a person’s childhood play in changing a person’s path in life?
 What factors come together to create our identity?
 Is who a person is shaped more by destiny or by that person’s choices?
As we study a character, be the person real or fictional, we can’t help but wonder what makes the character the way
he or she is? The answer to this question may depend, at least in part, upon the person’s birth order. Over the past few
decades, much of the research conducted has confirmed that where you are in your family with regard to your brothers and
sisters has a tremendous impact on your personality. First-borns are usually different from last-borns, and there is a reason
people throw around the term “middle child syndrome”. While no one may ever completely fit a generalization, it is
surprising how accurate some of this research can be.
Grading and Time in Class
While you will be given a generous amount of class time to work and receive help from your teacher and your
peers—15 days to be exact—you will need to spend time on this outside of class. As with any assignment, your final grade
for this paper will depend largely on the time and effort you put into your research and writing; those who procrastinate or
have a “good enough” attitude will reap what they sow. If you want to know what days we will be spending on the project,
see the calendar on edline and my wikispace. DO NOT HESITATE TO ASK FOR EXTRA HELP if you find yourself
confused. Each student will have multiple opportunities to receive peer and teacher feedback.
Project Part I: THE “Outside” Research
This research project is designed to answer the questions:
 How has birth order seemed to affect you?
 What reasons do researchers give for the theories?
 From your experience, do you believe birth order theory is accurate or inaccurate?
You have a variety of resources at your disposal to help you with your research!
1.
To begin, you will have access to photocopied chapters from The New Birth Order Book by Dr. Kevin Leman; these
chapters not only explain birth order in general, but they specifically describe how each particular birth order pertains
to individuals. You need to read carefully and take notes so you can understand and explain the theory.
2.
After taking notes on the general theory of birth order and the possible variations (functional first borns, etc.), you
will investigate your birth order and determine its characteristics. Record not only what it means to have these
characteristics, but WHY your particular birth order is said to have them. You will record quotes and paraphrased
information from these readings (including page numbers in your notes for in-text citations).
3.
In addition to your notes from the photocopied source, you will be required to explore a minimum of two additional
sources, including websites*, magazine articles, and books. The goal of examining so many sources is not to collect a
wide variety of information, but rather to determine the information that is most consistent, and therefore most likely
reliable. These other sources will also provide new insights into the theory that may help you.
4.
As you notice patterns in the information, start taking detailed notes on the birth order traits that appear most
consistently for your birth order. (For example, if “funny” and “entertaining” appear in three of four sources, you
should look for the details about how it can be a strength and weakness AND the reasons why this is a trait of your
birth order). You must thoroughly research and take detailed notes at least FOUR traits.
*Remember that not all websites are created equally: you will have to search for the credible sites and articles that
have the clearest and most reliable information.
Choosing Additional Sources and Information
First, take care to find sources that meet the criteria for reliability: recognized (or credentialed) author, credible
sponsoring organization, citations of studies or other reliable sources, and professionalism.
Secondly, check that the information provided is corroborated (backed up) by another source. If one source contains
information not found in most other sources, then that information may not be reliable. We will review ways to compare
sources and determine the most reliable information; a chart will be provided and should be used to organize your research.
*Remember as you research to record the information needed to create MLA in-text, works cited, and works consulted citations. You
NEED to cite at least three sources and include at least 10 in-text citations (although you should cite any and all resources
used in your paper) that explain the research on birth order in general and at least four traits associated with your birth
order. In addition to handouts provided, tips for finding credible sources, writing MLA citations, and avoiding plagiarism are on my website.
To make sure you are finding credible information, research notes and/or charts will be checked on:
Tuesday March 29 for progress AND again on Tuesday April 5 for completeness (20 pts each)
Step 2: THE “Inside” Research: First Draft
Once you have the necessary information about your birth order, evaluate YOURSELF. How much of this
information applies to you? Which qualities truly reflect who you are? Be honest—even if it means that you have to admit
to some particularly unattractive qualities. For each trait, explain how the characteristic applies to you and then write
about an incident or two that illustrates that you possess this characteristic.
Or, if the characteristic seems to be absent, speculate on why it is—the research will be helpful in explaining why
people may or may not have this strait. If one or more of the characteristics truly does not apply at all, consider why this
is: what factors have inhibited or prevented this characteristic from taking hold in your personality?
The goal here is to address the questions:
1) How much of this birth order theory applies to you?
2) How you can demonstrate (show) the parts that do?
3) How you can explain the parts that do not ?
Remember that your writing should systematically address each item from your research (a minimum of four
traits); the final number is up to you and will reflect the effort you choose to make.
This writing will be added to your research as you draft your final paper; the more you put into this step, the more
you will benefit in the end!
This writing will be checked on:
Monday April 11 for effort, detail, and completeness (20 pts)
Step 3: THE PAPER, Rough Drafts
First, carefully organize the information you have found from both the outside sources and your inside one into the outline
format on the next page. This outline should be completed before you go to the writing lab. Once you have completed an
outline, you will begin drafting your essay. A draft of your introduction and first body paragraphs (on one of your birth
order traits) will be checked to ensure you are on the right track in terms of citing sources and providing sufficient detail.
Second Draft [Intro+ First Paragraph(s)] Due at the end of Writing Lab
Tuesday April 12 (20 pts)
You will then have several days to draft and conference in class. Remember: the more drafts you write, the more likely it is
that you will have an exemplary paper! Your final writing lab day is on Tuesday May 3, at which time I will check your
FULL drafts, providing the opportunities to review the final paper format and ask any and all final questions. So…
Full Rough Draft Due at the beginning of Writing Lab
Tuesday May 3 (20 pts)
Step 4: THE FINAL PAPER Requirements:
1. Because you will be completing a thorough analysis of birth order theory, you will need thorough and complete
writing. This means your paper MUST have at minimum a clear introduction of one or more paragraphs, paragraphs
discussing each of the traits in your birth order, and several paragraphs of reflection and conclusion at the end. This means
you will have at least SEVEN paragraphs—but probably more if you are writing with focus and detail, especially if you
discuss each trait in more than one paragraph.
2. As you write your final paper, keep in mind that while this is a personal research paper, you should limit and vary
your use of first-person terms like “I” and “me”—you can write about your thoughts and ideas without beginning every
sentence with “I”. Also, because this is personal, there should be ABSOLUTELY NO “you.”
3. The final paper MUST include a works cited page, and if necessary, additional works consulted. Remember that
anytime you quote a source or paraphrase an idea that is not your own, you must give credit with an in-text citation (we will
review MLA format in class).
Remember: Plagiarism is not tolerated—if you try to pass off other’s words or ideas as your own,
you will receive a ZERO.
4. With your GRISWOLD FORMATTED 3-5 page paper, please include the attached rubric with the signature of a
parent/guardian to acknowledge their awareness of this assignment, its value, and the due date. This will be first be checked
on Tuesday March 29 and assigned credit.
The final paper is worth a substantial 300 points. Because this is a research paper, you will be graded largely on the
integration of your research into an organized piece of writing and the technical requirements outlined above. However, to
earn the highest possible grade, the paper must feature all the characteristics of a quality paper: an interesting funneling
introduction, a clear thesis that directs the paper, a logical and subtle sequencing of ideas through well-developed paragraphs
ripe with illustrative examples, as well as thorough reflection that reveals the significance of the conclusions reached.
Final Paper Due: Thursday May 12
Essays must be submitted electronically in .rtf format or printed out before
class.
Birth Order Paper Outline Format
Introduction:
1.
Begin by providing some general background on birth order theory: what it is, how it works, etc.
You could even talk about people whom it has effected and how. Make sure the reader
understands the subject of the paper.
2.
Then share your place in your family and share some the traits of that birth order which you
have selected to discuss in your research paper—and why.
3.
This discussion will funnel down to your thesis, which would be along the lines of the following:
“Because most of these characteristics of a ____ born child (apply/do not apply) to me, birth
order theory appears to be an (accurate/inaccurate) predictor of personality.”
Body: Explain each characteristic or trait of your birth order in explicit detail. For each trait, you should:
1.
Introduce the trait as one common to your birth order according to researchers. (T)
Include and cite information from each of your sources that explains:
a.
what it means to have the trait (good and bad) (E)
b. why the research says the trait applies to your particular birth order (E/S)
2.
Explain—in detail—how this trait does (or doesn’t) apply to you. (T)
To provide illustrative detail (show, don’t tell), you will want to supply a revealing anecdote or two to prove (or
disprove) the existence of the trait.
a.
Example one (E)
b. Explanation of how it does/doesn’t show the trait (E)
c.
+”So” sentence and/or Transition (S/T)
d.
+Example two (E)
e.
+Explanation of how it does/doesn’t show the trait (E)
f.
Sum it up/Transition to next reason (S)
*If the trait is not applicable to you, then try to explain why the trait would not apply to you (T) using:

Information from the research that might explain why not (E)

Examples that prove how you differ (E)

Personal explanations for why you might differ (E/S)
You may explain the characteristic and how it applies to you in one large paragraph, or, for the more scholarly, you
may want to address these ideas in two steps: the first paragraph explaining the trait, the second paragraph
demonstrating its relevance to you. No matter what format you choose, each trait should be addressed with insightful
explanation and strong supporting details.
Remember that this pattern should be repeated for each of the four+ traits of your birth order; your writing should
be balanced for each trait.
Conclusion: This should be several paragraphs of reflective writing. This is the section in which you synthesize the
information presented in your paper, revealing how it is meaningful and useful to you.
1.
Briefly touch on all the traits again, reviewing your findings.
a.
2.
Thesis
b. Reason/Trait 1
d.
Reason/Trait 3
c.
e.
Reason/Trait 4
Reason/Trait 2
How is this meaningful/useful to you?
a.
Explain what you have learned about yourself
b. Explain what insights you have gained about people’s actions
c.
Explain how you might apply this knowledge in the future.
“Birth Order Project” Personal Research Paper Scoring Guide
Use this to self-assess and revise your final product; This page MUST be turned in with your Final Paper!
CRITERIA
INDICATOR
Beginning
The research paper is at a
beginning stage.
Requirement
Papers that fail to meet the basic requirements for citation and content (see SEVEN paragraph requirements in assignment) will be deemed unacceptable
and returned for correction; these will be considered late and incur a penalty of 20 points per day. Furthermore, students who submit papers without a
works cited page, without in-text citations, or with a preponderance of improper citations will receive a ZERO for plagiarism.
30
Works Cited
and
Consulted
40
Use of
Source
Material
60
Thinking
and
Communicat
ion of Ideas:
Research
and Personal
Connection
50
Presentation:
Internal and
External
Organization
Introduction,
Reflective
Conclusion
80
Voice/
Fluency
(word
choice; use
of first
person)
20
Mechanics
20
Developing
The research paper could be
improved in several ways.
Proficient
The research paper is acceptable.
Exemplary
The research paper is exemplary
The 3-5 pages of QUALITY work must be neatly typed and 1.5-spaced in 12pt Times New Roman font, and includes all required elements in proper format:
One inch margins (no spaces between paragraphs), Pages Numbered with Last Name in top right corner, Heading on Page One including: 1)Your Name, 2)
Date 3) Title Class/Period, 4) Teacher, Original Title (centered), and Attached MLA Works Cited
*Signature of parent/rubric sheet is turned in on the day of the final essay.
● Works cited/consulted
sections contain an inadequate
number of reliable sources or
may have serious errors in
format.
● Sources are inappropriate.
● Works cited/consulted sections
contain an adequate number of
reliable sources but may have minor
errors in format.
● Selected some appropriate
materials.
● Works cited/consulted accurately
identify an adequate number (3) of
reliable sources, one in print.
● Evidence of selecting appropriate
materials.
● Works cited/consulted correctly identify
a variety (3+) of very reliable sources, at
least one of which is a print source.
● Evidence of sorting and selecting
appropriate corroborated materials.
● Ideas from research are not
expressed clearly: the essay is
lacking information and/or
information is inaccurate/
irrelevant.
● Regular problems with
citation format and
application occur and/or text is
inadvertently copied from
sources without quotations.
● Provides only basic information
about birth order theory, some of
which may be incorrect and/or
irrelevant (10+ in-text citations);
based on minimal research.
● Isolated problems with in-text
citation format occur; paraphrasing
may not vary sufficiently from the
source text.
● Provides partially complete,
accurate, and relevant information
(10+ in-text citations about birth
order theory); ideas are based on
adequate research.
● Paraphrasing is appropriate and
quotes denote outside information;
documentation shows consistently
correct citation.
● Provides complete, accurate, and
relevant information (10+ in-text
citations about birth order theory);
discussion is based firmly on extensive and
careful research.
● The work is written in the author's own
words and makes effective use of
quotations; documentation shows
conscientious application of citing ethics
with nearly flawless in-text citations.
● Demonstrates little
understanding of the topic,
discussing too few traits. No
interpretation and analysis of
the material.
● Reasons in support of
thesis/topic sentence are not
expressed clearly or supported
by specific examples and/or
explanation.
● Demonstrates some understanding
of the topic of birth order theory, but
with limited analysis of the (4) traits
or reflection on their implications.
● Reasons in support of thesis/topic
sentence are not expressed clearly
and examples, details, and
explanations in support of these
reasons are lacking.
● Demonstrates a general
understanding of the topic, discussing
the theory in general and the (4+)
traits of birth order.
● Reasons in support of thesis/topic
sentences are generally expressed
clearly through adequate use of
TELLING examples, details, or
explanations.
● Demonstrates in-depth understanding
and insight into the issue(s) under
discussion, through careful analysis and
reflection on the (4+) traits for that birth
order and birth order theory in general.
● Reasons in support of thesis/topic
sentences are developed and expressed
fully and clearly, using many appropriate
examples, illustrative details, or
explanations to SHOW their truth.
● Background details are a
random collection of
information, unclear, or not
related to the topic.
● Overall focus is vague or
unclear. The thesis may be
missing or unclear.
● Conclusion is abrupt and
does not summarize main
points or reflect on the topics.
It fails to reconnect to the
purpose of the essay.
● The written sections lack
organizational devices, such as
paragraphs and transitions.
● “Hook” or lead is overly
predictable. Introduction adequately
explains the background, but may
lack detail.
● A focus for the essay is present
overall, but may not be maintained;
“thesis” states a basic position.
● Conclusion is recognizable and ties
up almost all loose ends. Reflection is
a simple restatement of the facts,
limited to superficial generalizations
about the topic.
● Organizational devices, such as
paragraphs and transitions, are
flawed or purposeless.
● Introduction creates interest.
Sufficient background information is
provided. Topic is at least alluded to.
● Focus is maintained and “thesis”
states the position.
● Conclusion effectively summarizes
and reflects, establishing a connection
between the experiences and the
essay’s purpose.
● There are some problems with
organization, such as a few unfocused
paragraphs or missing/weak
transitions.
● Well-developed introduction engages
the reader and creates interest. Contains
detailed background information on the
topic funneling to a thesis.
● Focus is clear; thesis states a significant
and compelling position or belief that is
the heart of the paper.
● Conclusion effectively wraps up and
reflects—in detail—upon the importance
of the thesis, thus extending the
information & accomplishing the purpose.
● Organizational devices, such as
paragraphs and transitions, have been
used effectively to guide the reader.
● Overuses first person (“I”
and “me”) and frequently uses
“you” or vague references,
compromising the author’s
voice.
● Word choice is often
inappropriate and sentence
variety is nearly nonexistent.
● Overuses first person pronouns “I”
and “me” and vague pronouns like
“you”; the author’s voice is uneven.
● Word choice is clear but
predictable. Writing is choppy or
awkward because of problems with
sentence structure and variety and/or
a lack of transitions.
● Use of first person pronouns may
not be sufficiently varied or are
sometimes included unnecessarily; the
writer’s voice is present, but
consistency suffers from use of “you”
instead of “people of this birth order.”
● Rhetorical choices are appropriate
for the purpose of the essay
● Use of first person pronouns “I” and
“me” only when necessary—and NEVER
“you”; the author’s voice is authoritative
and clear.
● Word choice is sophisticated, clear, and
appropriate for audience; variety of
sentence structures and transitions helps
vary usage.
Errors in grammar, spelling,
punctuation, capitalization
interfere with understanding.
Numerous errors in grammar,
punctuation, spelling, and/or
capitalization distract from the flow.
There are several noticeable errors in
grammar, punctuation, spelling,
and/or capitalization.
With minor exceptions, grammar,
punctuation, spelling, and/or
capitalization are correct.
(Student Name) ____________________________________ and I, (Parent Name) ___________________________________ acknowledge that I
have seen the research paper assignment and understand both its value and due date. I also acknowledge that if the paper lacks in-text citations, all
works cited, or is substantially copied from sources without providing credit for the information, the paper will receive a zero for plagiarism.
Parent Signature: __________________________________________________________________
Grading and Time in Class
While you will be given a generous amount of class time to work and receive help from your teacher and your
peers—15 days to be exact—you will need to spend time on this outside of class. As with any assignment, your final grade
for this paper will depend largely on the time and effort you put into your research and writing; those who procrastinate or
have a “good enough” attitude will reap what they sow. If you want to know what days we will be spending on the project,
see the calendar on edline and my wikispace. DO NOT HESITATE TO ASK FOR EXTRA HELP if you find yourself
confused. Each student will have multiple opportunities to receive peer and teacher feedback.
Week
3/213/25
Monday
Tuesday
3/28-4/1
Organizing your
Research
(Organizer);
Research Groups
Organizing your
Research
(Organizer);
Research Groups
-Review paragraph
expectations
(TEES); first drafts
-Drafting a funneling
introduction
Drafting Traits /
Conferencing
Writing Lab: Review MLA
citations;+ credible sources
-- Begin Additional Research
4/4-4/8
4/114/14
5/2-5/6
5/9-5/13
Writing Lab: Finishing
Research: Do you have the
How and Why?
Writing Lab: Finish drafting
your introduction and first
body paragraphs
Writing Lab: Finish Full
rough draft of paper and
works cited
Writing Lab: Work on the
Conclusions/Final Draft;
Review Title page/Citations
Wednesday
Thursday
Introduction to
Project/Research
Drafting Your Thesis;
& Picking Final
Traits: The Inside
Research
Drafting Trait #2/
Conferencing
Peer Edit/ Use
Checklist/Rubric
Conferences—Review
Requirements
Final Essay Due! (Bring
a digital copy just in
case!)
Friday
Review Note-taking:
Pg# (In-text Citation);
Paraphrase vs.
Quotations
Library Lab: More
about Credible Sources
and Researching