STUDENT’S NAME ___________________________________________________________________________________
Research Paper Information
From Idea to Theme
Keels, Regina-English 3 CP
2013
“Research is formalized curiosity. It is poking and prying with purpose.”—Zora Neale Hurston
Research Paper Guidelines
Length—Four to five pages, not counting the Works Cited Page
Type—Thesis-Driven Argumentative Paper
Topic—You choose a topic that is of interest to you. Topics must be approved. Topics that will not be
approved are: Abortion, legalization of drugs, Sex education, Gun Control, death penalty, domestic violence, or
animal abuse. I reserve the right to not approve topics that might not be beneficial to our class.
Number of Sources—Four to six
Writing the Paper—We will go to the library and the lab. The rough draft will be written entirely in class.
Materials Needed: one pack of small note cards, one pack of large note cards, highlighters, college ruled loose
leaf, and yellow MLA book
A Word About Plagiarism
While many instances of plagiarism are unintentional, one of our primary goals for this project is to learn how
to give credit to sources that you borrow to support your ideas. For this project, you are indeed borrowing ideas
from others. Those ideas do not belong to you. It is lying; it is cheating; and it is stealing to take someone’s
words and ideas and pass them off as your own, whether or not you meant to. Plagiarism applies to lifted words
in whole or in part. There is no such thing as just a little plagiarism.
Therefore, you are ultimately responsible for making sure that the primary ideas in your paper are yours and
that any ideas or words or pictures that you borrow from another source is given due credit using the MLA
format for documenting and citing sources. Unintentional plagiarism will result in deductions that could affect
your final grade for the project. Intentional plagiarism will result in failing the project and possible referral to
administration. I, ultimately, decide which one a student has committed judging from the circumstances and
performance in class.
There are numerous websites, books, and sources that will be supplied to you to make sure that you have every
opportunity to present your work honestly. You will write the complete first draft of the paper in class. In
addition, your work will be submitted to turnitin.com. There, you will be able to see areas where your work is
similar to others, and you will have the opportunity to fix those areas before turning in a final copy.
If you need any help, any assistance, any advice about how to cite sources correctly, just ask. I will be more
than happy to ensure that you to turn in a paper that you can truly and proudly say, “I wrote.”
1
Research Paper Interest Survey (Brainstorming a Topic)
Name __________________________________Date ___________
___________/10 Points
Use the following sentence starters to brainstorm topics for your research paper.
1.
My favorite subject(s) in school
2. A topic( in any class) that fascinates me
3. What I like about the world I live in
4. What I don’t like about the world I live in
5. A person who has changed the world
6. The best time in history
7. The worst time in history
8. Something people don’t know that they should
9. A disease that scares me
10. An issue in the news I have been following or that interests me
11. An idea that people have that I disagree with
12. A nefarious ruler (other than Hitler)
13. A policy that I don’t like
14. A period in history I don’t know much about but would like to
15. A job or profession that I would like to explore
16. I wonder about ( or why)
17. I don’t like
18. I think that
19. I wonder who
20. I believe that
21. An interesting place
22.
Teacher Notes:
2
Narrowing Your Topic
Directions: Look over the ideas that you wrote on the previous page. Choose one. Complete this page narrowing your
topic.
Broad Topic:__________________________________________________
What I Already Know About the Topic
What I Want to Learn About the Topic
Narrowed Topic: Based on the information in the chart, write your narrowed topic here. For example, after writing
“Pelicans” as my broad topic and completing the chart, I narrowed my topic to: “how major oil companies help to
conserve and protect coastal environment.”
Approved by Mrs. Keels
Teacher Comments:
3
Writing the Thesis Statement
A thesis statement is the controlling idea of a research paper. The thesis statement must be echoed throughout
the paper and shown to be true at the end of the discussion.
A thesis statement should have two parts: the topic and the claim.
Example:
Adult learners of a secondary language can be successful even though the brain loses its natural ability to
pick up languages as a person gets older.
A thesis statement is NOT a simple opinion of preference or dislike, a fact that is proven, or a question that you
have. The thesis statement should not say what you are going to do. A thesis statement is written as a
declarative sentence, and it must have an element of debate. To create a solid thesis statement, consider these
types of claims.
o
Claim of fact or definition—argues a prevailing idea as opposed to truth; argues the true definition of a
concept where many definitions might be available. Major oil companies, like BP, use public relations to
persuade us that they are concerned about the environment, but they have not done anything to ensure
protection of coastal birds, like the Brown Pelican, and other animals.
o
Claim of cause and effect—argues the reasons behind an event and what the lasting effects are. Taking
prayer out of school has created a generation of Americans who generally do not value education.
o
Claim about value—argues or discusses what something is worth to society or individuals. Nelson
Mandela’s twenty-seven year stay on Robben Island, more than protests or economic sanctions, kept the antiapartheid movement going.
o
Claim about a solution or policy—argues how something should or should not be done; argues for or
against a policy. In order to reverse the environmental damage to our planet, drastic cultural and technological
changes would have to be made reordering our lives and perhaps making our world smaller.
The first thesis statement is a working one. It will most likely change as you conduct your research, but you
must start with a goal in mind. Write your preliminary thesis statement here:
Self-check your thesis statement:
o
o
o
o
Approved by Mrs. Keels _____________
It is a declarative sentence.
It is NOT a simple statement of opinion or fact,
Comments:
It contains the topic and a claim.
The type of claim that I used is: ________________________________________
4
Preliminary Topic Outline
The outline is created to guide your research at every step. It will most likely change as you find information,
and as you write your paper. The preliminary outline gets you started. It gives you the direction you need to
look for information. Start with a simple outline that looks like this:
Topic: Oil Companies and their role in Environmental Protection
Thesis statement: BP, Exxon, and Shell, the three major oil companies, use public relations
schemes to make the public think they are practicing environmentally safe business
when they really are not.
Roman Numeral
Equivalents
4-IV
5-V
6-VI
Outline
I.
Pelicans on the brink of survival and the edge of extinction
II.
The BP spill
III.
BP’s PR after the spill
7-VII
8-VIII
9-IX
10-X
IV.
What BP really did
V.
What BP is doing now
VI.
Prospects for the Pelican population based on oil company practices
Write your Preliminary Outline here:
Topic:
Thesis Statement:
Outline:
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Gathering Sources
You need a minimum of four sources for this paper. You can have up to six sources. You must demonstrate
your ability to identify and use different types of sources; therefore, you will use a combination of primary and
secondary, print and electronic sources.
Primary sources are sources that are first-hand accounts such as autobiographies, diary entries, charts, songs,
poems, and observations.
Secondary Sources are second-hand accounts such as histories, research, reports, and biographies.
Print sources are generally books and magazines that you can physically handle.
You must fill out a source evaluation sheet for each of your sources in order to show that the sources you use
are credible and reliable. Remember, I reserve the right to ask you to choose a different source if it is not
suitable. You must print all your sources and attach the appropriate source evaluation sheet. For a print
source, photocopy the pages that you need including the title page and copyright page of the book or magazine.
Most blog entries and all reader comments on websites will not be approved as sources.
Source 1—Primary Source
Source 2—Secondary Source
Source 3—Print Source or Digital File
Source 4—Open Source (Any type of source)
Source and Note Cards
The most important part of the research process is finding and documenting your sources. If you do an effective
job on this section, the rest of your work may be challenging, but it might not be frustrating. Make sure that
you use your yellow MLA book or the online source: owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01 (There is a
link on my website)
Source Cards
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You must have a minimum of four sources. You may have a maximum of six sources.
Use small (3 inx5 in) note cards.
Number each source in the upper right corner.
Find the type of source in the MLA guidebook. Follow it exactly, recording the necessary information for each
source. Indent the second and subsequent lines of long entries.
If no author is given, use a shortened title to begin each entry.
Source 1
Barcott, Bruce. “Coast Guard.” Audubon
July-August. 2010. 36-44. Print.
Note Cards
 You must write a minimum of 10 note cards per source.
 Take extensive notes from every source.
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Write DIRECT QUOTATIONS from your sources and place quotation marks around them. Any
information that you get from a source is considered a quotation. Place just one main idea on a card.
Write only on the front side of each card. You do not need to fill up every line. Make sure that you
write complete thoughts, so that later on you won’t forget what the notes mean.
Put the source number and the note card number in the upper right corner. Keep the source card and the
note cards together.
Write the parenthetical citation on the bottom right of the card for reference later.
Slaughter
1.1
“Today’s bird wardens trace their lineage back to the late 19th
century, when the plume trade drove many of America’s most
magnificent birds to the brink of extinction. The fashion for
feather –decorated hats fueled a commercial slaughter similar
to that suffered by the Great Plains bison.”
(Barcott 38)
Nesting Sites
1.2
Saving and protecting these nesting oases is becoming more
critical as larger islands—especially barrier islands that have
traditionally served as nesting grounds—succumb to
development.
(Barcott 42)
Writing and Typing the Works Cited Page
The Works Cited is a list of the sources you used in your paper. You must cite every source that you used.
There shouldn’t be a source in the Works Cited that is not in the body of the paper. I must be able to cross
reference your citation with your Works Cited. If you have completed your source cards, this part is pretty
easy.
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Arrange your source cards in alphabetical order by the first entry.
Type the Works Cited using the sample that follows.
Type-- Works Cited --at the top of the page. Center the title. Do NOT put it in bold, in caps, underline,
italicize it or enclose it in quotation marks.
Make sure that “Work” has an –s at the end—Works.
Pay attention to the spelling of C-I-T-E-D.
Double-space the entire page.
Begin at the left margin and type the information from the source cards.
The second and subsequent lines of a single entry must be indented. This is called a hanging indent.
Create a folder in Word and title it “English Research Paper.” Type your Works Cited Page and save it
to the folder. Upload the outline in Gaggle. Print a copy for yourself.
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Sample Works Cited Page
Works Cited
Barcott, Bruce. “Coast Guard.” Audubon . July-August. 2010. 36-44. Print.
“Species Profile for Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis).” U.S. Fish and Wildlife Environmental
Conservation Online System. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 18 Jan. 2013. Web. 18 Jan. 2013.
Tangley, Laura. “Oil Spill Puts Pelicans At Risk.” NWF.org. National Wildlife Federation. 16 July 2010. Web.
18 Jan. 2013.
The Sentence Outline
Create an expanded outline. Type the outline following the format below and the example the follows. Each level must
have at least two items. Include where you will use your documented source. Include parenthetical citation at the end of
each source material. When you are finished, save your work in a separate file to the Research Paper folder. Name it-Paper and Works Cited. Print a copy for yourself.
Topic: Pelicans and the BP Oil Spill
Final Thesis:
Outline:
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
Introduction
Main Topic (First Main Point)
A. Subtopic
B. Subtopic
1. Subtopic
2. Subtopic
a. Subtopic
b. Subtopic
Main Topic (Second Main Point)
Main Topic
Conclusion
Notice the types of letters and numbers that
are used. Your outline must follow the same
format. Do not allow the computer to auto
format the outline. Right click in front of
the letter or number and choose the
appropriate items under “Numbering.”
Sample Sentence Outline with Parenthetical Citations
I.
II.
III.
Introduction
Brown pelicans struggled for survival since the 1950’s.
A. At one point their populations disappeared from some places altogether.
B. Widespread use of pesticides hurt bird populations.
1. “A metabolite of DDT—DDE—causes the eggshells of birds to thin” (Tangley).
2. According to Tangley, “Pelican parents accidentally cracked their eggs while attempting to
incubate them.)
a. By the early 1970’s DDT poisoning killed off many colonies of birds.
b. In addition, “the plume trade drove many America’s most magnificent birds [including
the brown pelican] to the brink of extinction” (Barcott 38).
Legislation and the work of game wardens helped to improve their populations, not the companies that
created the pesticides.
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Attention! Only after you have submitted your outline and works cited and you have received feedback can you
begin writing your paper.
Hand-Written Rough Draft
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You will write the rough draft in class. You will need to write eight to ten pages to equal the minimum
type-written pages.
Use parenthetical notation where necessary. Keep a balance between your voice and your sources.
There should be more of you than there is of your sources in the paper.
Use formal style:
o No contractions
o No slang or text language
o Use the third person; avoid you and I
o No abbreviations unless it is standard or common place ( ie. NASA)
o Refer to authors by their last names.
o Use exact language and strong verbs.
Typed Draft
After writing your rough draft, you will be expected to make changes. Then, you will be ready to type
your final draft.
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No hand-written papers will be accepted as a final draft.
Use size 12, Times New Roman (including the title)
Double space the document, including the heading
Do not use Word Art or clip art anywhere in your paper. Do not include charts or diagrams in
place of text.
Keep the margins set at “normal,” 1 inch.
Insert your last name and page numbering in a header. Go to “Insert.” Click on “Page Number,”
which is located toward the right side of the tool bar, above “Header and Footer.” Place the
cursor before the page number and type your last name. Close the Header and Footer menu bar.
Keep the outline in a separate file.
Type the paper and the Works Cited in the same file. Make sure that pagination (page
numbering) continues through the Works Cited Page, which should be page 5 or page 6.
When you are finished typing the paper, upload it to Turnitin.com and Gaggle.
When you get your paper back, we will conduct a peer review. Then, you must make changes and submit your
paper again.
Turn in your final work in this order:
1. Cover Sheet (Create the cover sheet in the outline file. See the diagram on the next page.)
2. Revised and Corrected Outline
3. The Research Paper with corrections form previous drafts
(Make sure that any changes you made to the rough draft are reflected in the outline and/or the Works
Cited page.)
4. The Revised and Corrected Works Cited Page
5. Upload the paper and the outline to Gaggle
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First (Top)
Second
Third
Outline
Fourth (Bottom)
Last Name 1
Name
Teacher’s Name
English 3 CP, Block 3
Date
Last Name 5
Works Cited
Title of Paper
Title of Paper
Name
Teacher’s Name
English 3 CP, Block 3
Date
Cover Sheet
Outline
(no page numbering)
The Paper
(pages 1-4)
The Works Cited
Congratulations!
Research Paper Reflection
1. Now, that you have turned in your paper, how do you feel?
2. What was the best part about writing your paper?
3. What part gave you the most challenges?
4. If you were to write a research paper again, what would you do differently?
5. Look back at page 3 where you explored your topic.
Which were not?
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Which questions were answered?
Rubrics
Rubrics for Sources and Note Cards
Student’s Name _________________________________________________
Source
Source
1 Date Turned In: ___________________
Source Card
•MLA setup is correct—3 pts.
MLA setup is correct—3 pts.
The card is numbered and matches note cards—2 pts.
_____/5
Note Cards
•The card is numbered and matches note cards—2 pts.
_____/5
Note Cards
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Significant notes are taken on every card including parenthetical
notation—5 points
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Cards have slugs and are numbered correctly for easy
identification—5 points
______/10
Evaluation sheets
• Significant notes are taken on every card including parenthetical notation—
5 points
• Cards have slugs and are numbered correctly for easy identification—5
points
______/10
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Evaluation sheets
Sheets are complete and accurate—10 points
_____/10
Printed Source
• Sheets are complete and accurate—10 points
_____/10
Matches source information—2. 5 points
Read and annotated—2.5 points
_____/5
Source 3
Date Turned In: ___________________
Source Card
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2
Printed Source
•
•
Date Turned In: ___________________
Matches source information—2. 5 points
Read and annotated—2.5 points
_____/5
Source 4 Date Turned In: ___________________
Source Card
Source Card
• MLA setup is correct—3 pts.
• The card is numbered and matches note cards—2 pts.
_____/5
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MLA setup is correct—3 pts.
The card is numbered and matches note cards—2 pts.
_____/5
Note Cards
Note Cards
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• Significant notes are taken on every card including parenthetical notation—
5 points
Significant notes are taken on every card including parenthetical
notation—5 points
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Cards have slugs and are numbered correctly for easy
identification—5 points
______/10
Evaluation sheets
• Cards have slugs and are numbered correctly for easy identification—5
points
______/10
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Sheets are complete and accurate—10 points
_____/10
Printed Source
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Evaluation sheets
• Sheets are complete and accurate—10 points
_____/10
Matches source information—2. 5 points
Read and annotated—2.5 points
_____/5
Printed Source
• Matches source information—2. 5 points
• Read and annotated—2.5 points
_____/5
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Rubrics for Preliminary Outline and Works Cited
Outline
5-Excellent
4-Very Good
3-Fair
2-Poor
0-Not completed or did not demonstrate competency
1-Unsatisfactory
1. Formatting and Outline Organization
The outline is double spaced; the font size 12, Times New Roman. The outline goes from broad to specific.
5
4
3
2
1
0
2. Sentence Outline
The outline is written in complete sentences.
5
4
3
2
1
0
3. Multi-leveled and Detailed
The outline has many levels to suit the purpose of discussion. It is detailed and shows depth of research.
5
4
3
2
1
0
4. Includes Quotations and Parenthetical Citations
The outline includes the quotations and parenthetical citations that will appear in the paper.
5
4
3
2
1
0
5. Punctuation, Grammar, and Spelling
There are few errors in punctuation, grammar, and spelling.
5
4
3
2
1
0
___________/ 25 points
Works Cited Page
1.
Formatting
The works cited is double-spaced and typed in size 12, Times New Roman. The page is titled
appropriately.
____________/2 points
2. Four Sources
There are four documented sources on the page.
___________/10 points
3. MLA Documentation
Each source is documented according to MLA rules for documentation.
__________/10 points
4. Punctuation and Spelling
There are few errors in spelling and punctuation, including titles.
_________/3 points
____________/25 points
Teacher Comments:
Hand-Written Rough Draft R ubric
25-Excellent
20-Good
15-Fair
0-Did not complete or did not demonstrate competency
10-Poor
5-Unsatisfactory
1.
Class Participation and Conferencing
The student wrote the entire rough draft in class on college ruled paper. The student conferenced at
least once with the teacher, and generally followed directions and took constructive criticism well.
_____25 points
2. Introduction
The paper starts off in an interesting way. The thesis statement is solid. It is underlined or highlighted
in the copy.
_____25 points
3. Body
The work is well-balanced. The student’s voice is the dominant sound in the writing. All documentation
is cited and matches the information on the works cited page. The student echoes the thesis statement at
least three times. These “echoes” are highlighted or underlined in the copy. Transitions are used to
show how the information ties in and how it relates to the thesis.
_____25 points
4. Conclusion
The conclusion restates the thesis and shows why the information presented in the paper is relevant.
_____25 points
Type-Written Rough Draft Rubric
5-Excellent
4-Very Good
3-Fair
2-Poor
0-Not completed or did not demonstrate competency
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
1-Unsatisfactory
Formatting
The paper is typed in size 12, Times New Roman. The heading and page numbering are correct. The
paper is double-spaced.
5
4
3
2
1
Page Limit
The paper is at least four pages long.
5
0
Matches the Rough Draft
The typed copy matches the rough draft. Changes reflect errors or elaboration on ideas in the rough
draft.
5
4
3
2
1
Matches the Outline
The paper matches the organization of the outline.
5
4
3
2
1
Matches the Works Cited and Use of Citations
All four sources are cited correctly in the paper and all four sources are documented on the Works
Cited. There are no sources on the Works Cited that are not reflected in the paper.
5
4
3
2
1
Grammar and Mechanics
There are few errors in grammar and mechanics.
5
4
3
2
1
1
Notes:
2