English III/Inquiry Research Paper and Presentation
Hendricks/2 nd Semester 2011-2012
The American Heritage Dictionary defines inquiry as “a close examination of a matter in search for information or truth.”
Task
Research a topic of interest and write a persuasive research paper and present a speech answering an essential question about the subject.
Requirements
Paper
 Four-six varied sources (print, database, interview, web site—NO WIKIPEDIA) with at least one print source and two data base sources
 Hand written note cards and bibliography cards
 Outline and works cited list
 Three-five page persuasive research paper using MLA format
 See packet requirements on the process rubric.
Speech
 Four-six minutes with a visual aid
 Presentation dress (collared shirt and dress pants for men and dress or nice top and dress pants for women—no jeans, shorts, or flip-flops)
Evaluation
The process, and presentation will each count for a major assessment grade. The paper will count as two major assessment grades.
Process Grade (See the attached process rubric)
 Determined by time on task and timely completion of the steps of the research process (developing essential question, completing working bibliography, taking useful notes, drafting an outline and paper, participating in peer review, revising/editing final paper, etc.)
Paper Grade (See the attached rubric)
Presentation Grade (See the attached rubric)

Due Dates (See the attached process rubric)
Process Rubric/Inquiry Research Paper and Presentation/Hendricks
Complete the following steps by the deadlines (point values in parentheses).
1.
Preliminary research 2 points ___
2.
Essential question proposed/Wiki participation (post
3.
question/comment on another question) 10 points ____
Essential question finalized 2 points ____
4.
Preliminary bibliography (at least 1 bib card) 2 points _____ 5/1
5.
Preliminary note cards (at least 10)
6.
Media center participation 5 points ____
2 points _____5/3
5/1 and 3
7.
Media center participation 5 points ____ 5/9
8.
Wiki teams formed/Wiki participation (at least 2 comments in team discussion) 5 points ____ 5/7
9.
Bibliography cards (at least 5)
10.
Notes (at least 40 note cards)
10 points _____ 5/9
10 points _____ 5/10
11.
Thesis proposed/Wiki participation (thesis posted/comment on another thesis) 10 points _____ 5/11
12.
Thesis finalized 5 points _____
13.
Outline submitted in hard copy
14.
Rough draft (see criteria below) **
5/15
10 points _____ 5/15
10 points _____ 5/1 5-17
15.
Peer review/Wiki participation (post message when you have read a classmate’s paper) 5 points _____ 5/15-17
16.
Teacher conference 3 points _____ 5/15-17
17.
Approval of visual aid 1 point _____ 5/15-17
18.
Final packet***(complete) 1 point _____
1 point _____
5/23
5/23-25 19.
Presentation
20.
Media center obligations 2 points ______ 5/25
Process Grade: ____
Process steps in BOLD were completed prior to the start of media center/lab research.

**The rough draft must
Be typed and in MLA format
Include parenthetical documentation for all sources on the works cited list
Include a works cited list and an outline
Turn in a hard copy or email this document to me in the due date
“window” above.
**To complete the peer review, print the peer review document from the WIKI
Have a peer complete the form and share his/her comments with you. Add a post to the WIKI when you have read a classmate’s paper.
***To complete the final packet, put the following items in a folder:
Hardcopy final paper with final works cited list and final outline
Bibliography cards and note cards
Rubrics
Media center/lab schedule:
May 1
May 3
May 9
Oral Presentation Rubric Name ___________________
5=exemplary 4=very good 3=satisfactory 2=acceptable/weak 1=unsatisfactory/poor 0=none used

Presentation Skills
Eye contact: sustained/appropriate eye contact; note cards for guidance only
5
Posture:
4 3
Poise, enthusiasm, and confidence
2 1
1 5 4
Gestures/body movement:
Use of gesture and movement
5 4
Use of standard grammar
5 4
3
3
2
5
Language:
3 2
Voice:
Volume, tone, articulation, pronunciation, and enunciation
4 3 2
2
1
1
1
Dress/appearance
5 4
Charisma/energy:
3
Ability to capture audience attention
5 4 3
Visual aid:
Communication of key ideas
5 4
Time:
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Adherence to prescribed time guidelines
5 4 3
Sustaining focus
5 4 3
Clarity, cohesiveness, and transitions
5 4 3
Use of supporting details/evidence
2
Content and Coherence
2
2
3 2 5 4
Use of verbal citation
5 4
Overall (average) score
5 4
5=100 4=90
3
3
3=80
2
2
2=70
Rubric for Final Research Paper
Feature Exemplary (5
= 100%)
Commendable
(4= 90%)
Satisfactory (3=
80%)
1
1
1
1
1
1
1=60
Weak (2= 70%)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Poor (1= 60%) Not demonstrated
(0)

Focus (30%) Presents an insightful and focused thesis statement.
Presents a focused thesis statement.
Support/
Elaboration
(30%)
Organization
Conventions
MLA
Documentation supporting information in the body of the paper.
Consistently uses standard writing conventions in grammar, spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and usage.
Paper uses correct MLA documentation practices.
Draws strong and clear connections between the thesis and significant related ideas.
Demonstrates exceptional selection of supporting information clearly relevant to the thesis and its related ideas.
Effectively balances use of quotations and student paraphrasing.
Effectively organizes and logically develops related ideas and
Comments:
Draws clear connections between the thesis and significant related idea.
Presents a thesis statement with adequate focus
Draws adequate connections between thesis and related ideas.
Demonstrates good selection of supporting information clearly relevant to the thesis and its related ideas.
Good balance of of quotations and student paraphrasing.
Clearly organizes and logically develops related ideas and supporting information in the body of the paper.
Demonstrates sufficient selection of supporting information clearly relevant to the thesis and its related ideas.
Adequately balances use of quotations and student paraphrasing
Consistently uses standard writing conventions in grammar, spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and usage
Adequately organizes and logically develops related ideas and supporting information in the body of the paper
Generally uses standard writing conventions in grammar, spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and usage.
Presents a thesis statement with minimal insight and focus
Draws insufficient connections between thesis and related ideas.
Demonstrates insufficient selection of supporting information clearly relevant to the thesis and its related ideas.
Insufficiently balances use of quotations and student paraphrasing
Poorly organizes and illogically develops related ideas and supporting information in the body of the paper
Minimally uses standard writing conventions in grammar, spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and usage.
Presents a thesis statement with no insight or focus.
Shows no understanding of connections between thesis and related ideas.
Lacks supporting information clearly relevant to thesis and its related ideas.
Does not balance use of quotations and student paraphrasing
Does not provide a logical progression of ideas and supporting information in the body of the paper.
Does not use standard writing conventions in grammar, spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and usage.
Paper uses incorrect MLA documentation practices.