U.S. History Research Paper
Spring 2011
Assignment: Students will write a 4-7 page informative paper about and event or person
that greatly impacted the United States
Purpose: Writing this research paper will not only help meet the required curriculum and
help improve your reading and writing skills but will also teach you many skills you will
use elsewhere in life. You will
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Have practice completing a large project by breaking it down into smaller tasks
(much like the construction workers had to do to complete the new addition on our
school)
Have practice meeting deadlines (much like an architect has to have a design
done on time for a client)
Have practice at researching a topic (much like one has to do research to find the
perfect car or home)
Have practice looking at a large amount of information, pulling out important
information and organizing the information (much like how one might do if they
are trying to compare the prices of a new car or home)
Learn how to teach yourself (much like how in life you have to find resources to
teach you about different types of insurances, how to get a loan, and stay on top of
new trends in your social and work life)
This is a large task and can be challenging at times, but it has a purpose that will benefit all
students no matter what direction they take in life. If you follow the steps the process is
broken down into manageable pieces and it will not be as difficult as you think.
Due Dates, Points and Overview
January 13
Select Topic:
____ 1 point
-Choose what you want to write your paper about.
-It can be any event or person who has impacted the U.S.
January 20
January 27
Find 3 sources
Have all sources found
-You will get the information you need to write your paper
from these sources
January 27
Work cited cards due
____ 5 points
-Cite each source on a note card ASAP to keep track of sources
-These will help you write your work cited page
February 3
50 note cards due
____ 15 points
-Each note card has a piece of information on it
-You will later sort these to make your outline and write your paper
February 3
Thesis statement due
____ 4 points
-This is ONE sentence that is the topic of your paper
-Every sentence in your paper should support your thesis
February 10
February 17
50 note cards due
Outline due
____ 15 points
____ 20 points
-An outline helps you organize your thoughts
-It is the order in which you will talk about different topics
February 24
First Draft due
____ 17 points
-This is the draft you write first and then you proofread
-You need to write your first draft then print it off
-On the printed off copy you will need to write down your changes
-Make the changes you WROTE on your first copy into your document
-Print out a clean copy
March 3
2nd Draft due
____ 1 points
-Have a classmate proofread and edit your 2nd copy
-Make the changes in your document on the computer
-Print off a clean copy
March 3
Proofread and Edit a classmates paper
____ 17 points
-Proofread and edit at least one classmates paper
March 10
3rd Draft Due
____ 1 points
-Have a third person proofread and edit your 3rd copy
-Make the changes in your document on the computer
-Print off a lean copy
March 10
4th Draft Due
____ 13 points
-Turn in your 4th copy as well as the three previous copies
-Mrs. Ackerman will proofread and edit this copy and give
grades for proofreading and editing
March 10
Work cited Page Due
____ 11 points
-A work cited page shows all your sources you utilized
-This should be stapled to the back of your paper
-Each source should be cited in MLA format
April 7
Final Draft of paper and work cited page due
-After Mrs. Ackerman proofreads and edits your paper
make the corrections in your document and print off a clean
copy of your paper and work cited page to turn in.
-Turn in both the clean, final draft as well as the 4th draft
Mrs. Ackerman proofread and edited.
____ 120 points
HOW EACH STEP WILL BE GRADED
Select Topic
_____ 1 point
Discuss it with me and I will write it down on a chart.
Bibliography Cards
_____ 5 points
1 point for each up to five. Must be written in MLA format and have a letter to correspond with it.
Note cards (50)
_____ 15 points
All or nothing. Must have page number and source letter.
Thesis Statement
_____4 points
It should be one sentence. Discuss it with me and I will write it down on my chart.
Note cards (50)
_____ 15 points
All or nothing. Must have page number and source letter
Outline
_____ 20 points
2 pts organization
3 pts format
Intro ( 1 point just for having something)
Opening sentence that grabs attention (1 point)
Thesis statement (1 point)
Body ( 1 point just for having something)
Main Ideas (1 for each, up to 3 ideas, and 2 for
supporting details under each main idea, up to 3
Closing ( 1 point just for having something)
Closing sentence that will leave an
impression (1 point)
*Must be typed in outline form, Times New Roman, 12 pt font, and 1 inch margins or no points will be given.
1st Draft
_____ 17 points
Grade is based on how well you follow the directions on proofreading and editing your paper
1 point for properly editing each of the main idea paragraphs (up to 10 points)
½ point for each of the remaining requirements on the editing guidelines
If you do not have your paper written to full completion (Intro, conclusion, citations, full body written) you will get a zero for
this section. You cannot complete this section until your paper is all the way written.
2nd Draft
_____ 1 point
All or nothing.
Proofreading a classmates paper
______ 17 points
Grade is based on how well you follow the directions on proofreading and editing your paper
1 point for properly editing each of the main idea paragraphs (up to 10 points)
½ point for each of the remaining requirements on the editing guidelines
3rd Draft
_____ 1 point
All or nothing.
4th Draft
_____ 13 points
Turn in the first draft you edited and two drafts edited by others, with their names on it. You must edit one classmate’s paper.
0-3 points for Four pages with an intro, body, and conclusion, proper title, bibliography page, and citations
0-5 points for quality main ideas
0-5 points for quality supporting details
Bibliography page
_____ 11 points
1 point for each of the following
Using only 1 encyclopedia
Using 2 databases
Proper Spacing
5 points for having it in MLA Format
Final Draft
Alphabetical order
12 point font and Times new roman
Having 5 sources or more
_____ 120 Points
-Turn in all drafts with this, including the one I edited. You should have at least five copies turned in counting your final draft
-Will be graded using the attached rubric
Selecting a Topic
Due: January 13th
Points: 1
Topic: Event or person that has changed or impacted the United States
A. Search for ideas
1. Skim your textbook and notes for ideas
2. Talk to classmates and parents
3. Create a sample subject cluster
a. Make a web chart with the word topic as the center and write down every idea
you have around the outside
b. Pick one of those ideas and think further about it
i. Am I really interested?
ii. Can I meet all requirements with this topic
iii. Can I find enough sources with good information
iv. Is the subject too broad or too narrow?
B. Start researching
1. Stay general
a. Find sources
b. Skim the sources to make sure they have good information
c. Are there any specific ideas about this subject I can focus on?
2. Spend time getting general information about the topic so you know what you want
your paper to be focused on
Topic ideas:
Women’s suffrage
Scopes Trial
Labor movement
Wall Street Crash
Labor Unions
Prohibition
Great Depression
Dust Bowl
Assassination of JFK
War on Terror
McCarthyism
Watergate
Cold War (pick one aspect)
Vietnam War
Wild West Outlaws
Homesteaders
Civil Rights Movement
Revolutionary War
Writing the Constitution
The New Deal
Immigration
Reconstruction
Emancipation Proclamation
Korean War
U.S. imperialism
Desert Storm
9/11
Native Americans
Pilgrims
War of 1812
Mexican War
Spanish-American War
Bay of Pigs and the Cuban
Missile Crisis
Atomic Bomb
Iran-Contra Affair
Current economic crises
Finding Sources
A. Sources
1.
Need at least five sources. More is better.
2.
Must have at least two sources from a database. More is ok.
3.
Must have at least one primary source. (If you find your primary source on a database it can count as
your primary source and as one of your sources from a database but only as 1 source out of the
minimum of 5 you need)
4.
Only one can be an encyclopedia (but you don’t have to use any)
5.
No sites like Wikipedia, Answers.com or Infoplease.com
6.
Start your search for information with these sources
a. Databases
b. Google Scholar
c. Textbook, library books
d. Ask Mrs. Ackerman if she has any sources
e. Then use search engines like google.com or yahoo.com
i. Be careful with these sites as they are not all credible
B. Cite your sources as you go.
1.
Once you decide to use a source cite it before you even begin reading it in depth or taking notes
2.
Decide what type of source you have (database, magazine article on line, professional website,
article on a website, book, encyclopedia, etc).
3.
Use the citation page and follow the example for the type of source you have to cite it
4.
Citing right away helps you determine if the source is credible or not. If you cannot find everything
you need to cite it (like who the publisher is) then you probably should not use it
C. Using a database
1.
Databases are compilation of many books, articles, and newspapers
2.
The good thing about databases is most of the sources are going to be credible
3.
Databases can be found through the KanEd website
a. Website address: https://login.learningstation.com/portal/index/
b. Username should be similar to your school computer login, “jsmith”
c. Subscription ID should be “kan626”
d. Password should be “dragons”
4.
Once logged into KanEd open one of the databases:
a. Academic OneFile
b. Student Edition by Gale Cengage Learning
Once you are logged on find the search box and type in one of your key phrases. It works much like
google.com.
You can add restrictions such as only searching for full text documents by using advanced search.
a. You will want to look at articles with full texts more than those with abstracts
b. If you find an abstract you like you can ask Ms. Ratliff if she can get it for you through an
interlibrary loan but this takes some time to do.
c. You can sometimes choose to look at just books or at just scholarly journal results
5.
6.
Finding Sources
A. Sources
1.
Need at least five sources. More is better.
2.
Must have at least two sources from a database. More is ok.
3.
Must have at least one primary source. (If you find your primary source on a database it can count as
your primary source and as one of your sources from a database but only as 1 source out of the
minimum of 5 you need)
4.
Only one can be an encyclopedia (but you don’t have to use any)
5.
No sites like Wikipedia, Answers.com or Infoplease.com
6.
Start your search for information with these sources
a. Databases
b. Google Scholar
c. Textbook, library books
d. Ask Mrs. Ackerman if she has any sources
e. Then use search engines like google.com or yahoo.com
i. Be careful with these sites as they are not all credible
B. Cite your sources as you go.
1.
Once you decide to use a source cite it before you even begin reading it in depth or taking notes
2.
Decide what type of source you have (database, magazine article on line, professional website,
article on a website, book, encyclopedia, etc).
3.
Use the citation page and follow the example for the type of source you have to cite it
4.
Citing right away helps you determine if the source is credible or not. If you cannot find everything
you need to cite it (like who the publisher is) then you probably should not use it
C. Using a database
1.
Databases are compilation of many books, articles, and newspapers
2.
The good thing about databases is most of the sources are going to be credible
3.
Databases can be found through the KanEd website
a. Website address: https://login.learningstation.com/portal/index/
b. Username should be similar to your school computer login, “jsmith”
c. Subscription ID should be “kan626”
d. Password should be “dragons”
4.
Once logged into KanEd open one of the databases:
a. Academic OneFile
b. Student Edition by Gale Cengage Learning
Once you are logged on find the search box and type in one of your key phrases. It works much like
google.com.
You can add restrictions such as only searching for full text documents by using advanced search.
a. You will want to look at articles with full texts more than those with abstracts
b. If you find an abstract you like you can ask Ms. Ratliff if she can get it for you through an
interlibrary loan but this takes some time to do.
c. You can sometimes choose to look at just books or at just scholarly journal results
5.
6.
Books
Basics of book citations:
Author. Title. City of Publication: Publisher, Year. Type of Material.
Notes:
-Use the title on the title page, not the cover
-The title of the book should be italicized. If writing by hand you can underline.
-All major words of the title should be capitalized (do not capitalize prepositions,
infinitives, or conjunctions such as in, of, to, but, an, a…)
-You only need the city of the publisher not the state or country
One Author
Last name, first name of author. Title. City of Publication: Publisher, Year. Type of
material
Example:
Sinclair, Upton. The Jungle. New York: Bantam Classics, 1981. Print.
Two Authors
Last name, first name of the first author listed, and first name last name of second author
listed. Title. City of Publication: Publisher, Year. Type of material.
Example:
Schweikart, Larry, and Michael Allen. A Patriot’s History of the United States:
From Columbus’s Great Discovery to the War on Terror. New York City:
Sentinel, 2004. Print.
Multiple Authors
Last name, first name of first author listed, and et. al. Title. City of Publication: Publisher,
Year. Type of material.
Example:
Danzer, Gerald A., and et. al. The Americans: Reconstruction through the 20th
Century. Evanston: McDougal Littell, 1999. Print.
Reference Book (encyclopedia in print)
Author. “Title of Article.” Name of Reference book. Edition. Copyright date.
Example:
Pettigrew, Thomas F. “Racism.” The World Book Encyclopedia. 1998 ed. 1998.
Magazine Articles
Basics of magazine citations:
Author. “Title of the Article.” Title of Magazine Date (Day, Month Year): Page(s). Type
of material.
Example:
Smith, Patricia. “Who Gets to Be an American?” The New York Times Upfront
20 Sept. 2010: 6-7. Print
Notes: -Months should be abbreviated.
-Do not give volume and issue numbers for magazine articles
No author given
“Title of the Article.” Title of Magazine Date (Day, Month Year): Page(s). Type
of material.
Example:
“Mark Twain, Uncensored.” The New York Times Upfront 20 Sept. 2010: 5. Print.
Magazine article from a database
Author. “Title of Article.” Title of Magazine Date (day month year): Page(s). Name of
database. Type of material. Date of Access.
Example:
Roberts, Sam. “1920: Women Get the Vote After Decades of Effort by the
Suffrage Movement, the 19th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified 90 Years Ago
this Summer.” New York Times Upfront 6 Sept. 2010: 24+. Student Edition. Web. 4 Jan
2011.
*the + by the page number (24+) represents that it was page 24 plus others
that were not consecutive pages. If it is consecutive pages you would put 24-30)
Journal Articles
In Print
Author. “Title of the Article.” Title of the Journal Volume.issue number (Year): Page(s).
type of material.
Example:
Hartung, P.J, Porfeli, E.J., & Vondracek, F.W. “Career adaptability in childhood.”
The Career Development Quarterly 57 (2008): 63-73.
*some articles like the example only have a volume number. If it also has an issue
number it might look like 15.1 (Volume 15, Issue 1).
Journal Article from a database
Author. “Title of Article.” Title of Journal Voume number.Issue number (Year): Page(s).
Name of database. Type of publication. Date of access.
Example:
Karan, Orv C., and Robert D. Colbert. “Incidental Counseling a Key to Costeffective Systemic Change.” Professional School Counseling 10.1 (2006):
108+. Academic OneFile. Web. 4 Jan. 2011.
Newspaper Articles
In Print
Author. “Title of Article.” Title of Newspaper Date (Day, Month, Year), edition: Page(s).
Type of material.
Example:
Davis, Clarke. “Filing Deadline Looms for City, School Positions.” The
Vindicator 30 Dec. 2010. A1. Print.
*It is very possible that your newspaper article will not have an edition.
*The A under the page one represents the section.
Newspaper Article on a database
Author. “Title of Article.” Title of Newspaper Date, edition: Page(s). Name of database.
Type of publication. Date of Access.
Example:
Nagourney, Adam. “Watergate? A Sore Point at Nixon Site.” New York Times 7
Aug. 2010: A1. Custom Newspapers. Web. 4 Jan. 2011.
Websites
Page on a website
Author. “Title of the web page.” Title of the overall web site. Version or Edition.
Publisher or Sponsor, Date. Web. Date of Access.
Example:
“New Deal Document Library.” New Deal Network. New Deal Network, 2003.
Web. 4 Jan 2011.
*The title should be italicized if it is independent or if it is the same name as the website.
*Give as much of the date as available. Usually it is a copyright or published date. If there is not date available
write n.d.
Entire Website
Editor, author, or compiler name (if available). Name of Cite. Version number. Name of
institution/organization, sponsor, or publisher affiliated with the site, date it was created (if
available). Type of publication. Date of access.
Example:
Surviving the Dust Bowl. American Experience by Public Broadcast Stateion.
Web. 4 Jan 2011.
Sources used to compile this list and for further reference:
Honolulu Community College Library Guide. U of Hawaii, 25 Jan. 2010. Web. 4 Jan. 2011.
The Purdue OWL. Purdue U Writing Lab, 2010. Web. 4 Jan. 2010.
Calvin T. Ryan Library. University of Nebraska Kearney, 2010. Web. 4 Jan 2010.
Note card Examples
Purpose: Note cards are an easy way to organize your research. Each note card should be a separate piece of
information. If you make quality note cards from the start it will be easy to make an outline and your rough
draft will practically write itself.
A. Start reading through your sources
B. When you find important information that will help you write your paper you will want to put it on the
note card
C. Write down individual pieces of information on separate note cards
1.
Include the letter of the source in the upper right hand corner
2.
Put the page number on the bottom
3.
Do not write anything on the top line
4.
If you write it word for word use quotes
5.
DO NOT PLAGAIRIZE!! Just moving one or two word around does not cut it!
D. Only use one side of the note card
B
Meatpacking plants were not sanitary.
p. 156
B
Meat packers would pickle ham to eliminate the odor
of spoiled meat.
p. 162
Thesis
A thesis is the main idea of your paper. It defines your subject and where your paper is headed. You need a
thesis to keep your paper focused. It is only one sentence.
A. Think about it
1.
What is your goal?
2.
What do you want your audience to find out when they read your paper
3.
Everything you write in your paper should support your thesis
B. Turn your topic into a question. The answer to the question would be a good start to creating a thesis
statement.
1.
Example if your topic is JFK assassination
a. Question: How did the assassination of JFK change America?
b. Thesis Statement (answer to your question): The controversy surrounding the assassination of
John F. Kennedy made it difficult for a shock nation to recover from the loss of their leader.
2.
Example if your topic is the underground railroad
a. Question: How did the Underground Railroad change America?
b. Thesis Statement (answer to your question): Those who took part in the Underground Railroad
took a stand for equality as they helped many African Americans escape from slavery.
C. Write your thesis
1.
Need a subject and a particular stand, feeling, or feature
2.
Needs to be strong enough to keep you focused as you write your paper
Writing an Outline
An outline is meant to help you organize your thoughts before you write your paper. A good outline will result
in a well organized paper if used properly. If you have a good set of note cards made they should make this step
easy.
1. Organize note cards by putting similar items together in piles
2. Look through your different piles to see what the common theme is of each pile and
use the theme of each pile as your main ideas. Make sure you put them in an organized order that
will make your paper organized and flow smoothly.
3. Now organize each separate pile so the note cards are in the order you want to use
them and use them to develop your supporting detail.
4. Now develop an opening sentence/paragraph (you may have good facts or a personal
story in your note cards you can use).
5. Use your thesis statement as part of your introduction
6. Come up with your ideas for a conclusion. A conclusion should leave the reader with a
specific impression on the topic and wanting more information.
Your Outline should look like:
Outline
I.
II.
III.
Introduction
a. Opening sentence to grab the audiences attention
b. Thesis statement
Body
a. Main idea I
i. Supporting detail
ii. Supporting detail
iii. Supporting detail
b. Main idea 2
i. Supporting detail
ii. Supporting detail
iii. Supporting detail
c. Main idea 3
i. Supporting detail
ii. Supporting detail
iii. Supporting detail
Conclusion
a. Summation of your paper
b. Last sentences should leave an impression on the reader.
**The more you include in your outline the easier it will be to write your paper
**You can have as many main ideas as you need
**You should have at least three supporting details for each main idea but the more you have the better!
Outline
I.
II.
Introduction
a. The great expedition of 1830, lead by Meriwether Lewis and his co-leader William Clark, was
one of the greatest expeditions known.
b. Lewis and Clark trucked across the unknown enduring and overcoming obstacles thrown in their
way to improve our knowledge of the Louisiana Territory.
Body
a. Louisiana Territory
i. 1st owned by France…
ii. Land from Mississippi to Rockies…
iii. Positive for U.S. to purchase…
b. Government
i. Thomas Jefferson vs. Adams…
ii. Thomas Jefferson approval from congress…
c. The Explorers
i. Meriwether Lewis born August 18th, 1774 near Charlottesville Virginia…
ii. William Clark born August 1st, 1770 in Caroline Country Virginia….
iii. Sacagawea…
iv. Thomas Jefferson close childhood friend with Lewis…
d. The Expedition
i. Preparation…
ii. Team…
iii. The journey…
iv. Sacagawea born in Salmon, Idaho 1787 of the Shoshoni tribe of the Rocky Mountains….
v. Observations…
III.
Jefferson awards men… Conclusion
a) bravest people to go west.
b) They had no idea what they were going to encounter
c) they based their whole trip on how our government runs
d) We owe half of our country to this woman and group of men who gave it all for our knowledge
for what is today another piece of “The Land of the Free and Home of the Brave”.
Writing Your Paper
Guidelines:
4-7 pages long (must have writing onto the 5th page so that you have 4 full pages)
12 point font
Times New Roman
1 inch margins
Number the pages using the header bar on the top right hand side
Double space (2.0 spacing)
C. Follow your outline to write your paper so you stay organized, fluent and use good explanation
D. Think about the following as you write
1.
Intro
a. First part attracts reader
i. Amazing statistics
ii. Stories
iii. Surprising facts
b. Should include some background information
c. Needs to include your thesis statement
2.
Body
a. Should include several main ideas and supporting detail that support your thesis
b. Each paragraph should have a topic sentence
c. Each paragraph should only have information in it regarding your topic sentence and information
that supports your thesis
3.
Need a transition sentence between each paragraph to make the paper flow
4.
Conclusion
a. Summarize main points
b. Leave readers with an impression, thinking about the subject
E. Need to give credit to your sources by using a parenthetical.
1.
If you use ideas from another person, statistics, or quotes you need to give them credit.
2.
At the end of the sentence where you use another person’s information you put the author and the
page number inside parenthesis at the end of the sentence, but before the period.
3.
The information you put inside the parentheses should correlate to your work cited page so the
reader can go find your source to do further research and to check credibility (typically you will use
the first word of the citation on the work cited page in the parenthesis)
4.
If the ideas of an entire paragraph are from one source you can put the parenthetical at the end of the
paragraph.
5.
See the next handout and/or go to http://www.aresearchguide.com/9parenth.html for more
information
After you write your paper
1. You need to print it out and edit a hard copy according to the editing directions
2. You need to make the changes in the document on the computer then print out a clean document.
3. Give this second, clean copy, to a classmate to edit.
4. Make those changes on the computer. Print a fresh copy.
5. Have another person proofread and edit this third, clean, copy.
6. Make those changes on the computer. Print a fresh copy.
7. Make a title page and work cited page.
8. Staple the title page to the front of the newest, clean copy, and the work cited page to the back.
9. Turn in this latest copy with th work cited page, with the first copy you edited, the copy a
classmate edited, and the copy a second person edited and your outline paper clipped behind it.
10. You must make sure you find a classmates paper to edit and proofread according to my directions as
well.
Editing and Proofreading a Paper
Follow the steps below to properly edit a paper
1.
2.
Read through the paper once without making any marks.
Check for grammar mistakes and misspelled words and mark the corrections. What mistake(s) were
made several times that they should be aware of for the future?
_________________________________________________________________________________
3.
4.
5.
6.
Cross out any unnecessary words and circle words that need to be more descriptive (that, so, well,
also, like, things, stuff, they, his, her).
Circle contractions. They need to be spelled out
Underline phrases that weaken the paper such as I believe, I think, I will be discussing, In this
paper…
For each paragraph tell me in the margin or on a separate piece of paper:
a. Paragraph 1 is the introduction
i. Do they open their paper with a sentence or a few sentences that grab the audiences
attention? If so what is it, if not how could they improve?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
ii. Does their paragraph include their thesis statement? If so, what is it? If not, what could it be?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
iii. Read each sentence in the paragraph individually.
 Does the sentence make sense? If not star it.
 Could the sentence be written using fewer words? If so, rewrite it.
 Does the sentence contain information that should be cited?
 If it has statistics you must say where the statistics are from
 If it is someone else’s idea you need to give them credit
 If it is a quote you need to give them credit
 By stating where you got the information from it gives the paper more credibility
iv. Does the paragraph preview the structure of the paper? If so, is it to blunt or just right
(explain)? If not, how could they do this?
_________________________________________________________________________________
b. Paragraph #____
i. What is the main idea, purpose and goal of this paragraph? If there is not one suggest how
they could improve.
_________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
ii. What is the topic sentence for this paragraph? Make note if there is not one or if it could be
enhanced.
_________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
iii. Does each sentence relate to the main topic? Underline and explain on their paper how, if
any, sentence does not support the main idea.
iv. Read each sentence in the paragraph individually.
 Does the sentence make sense? If not star it.
 Could the sentence be written using fewer words? If so, rewrite it.
 Does the sentence contain information that should be cited?
 If it has statistics you must say where the statistics are from
 If it is someone else’s idea you need to give them credit
 If it is a quote you need to give them credit
 By stating where you got the information from it gives the paper more credibility
v. Does the paragraph support the thesis? Make a note if you do not see how the paragraph
supports the thesis. If it does support the thesis explain how.
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
vi. Are more details and explanation needed or is the paragraph too long? Explain.
_________________________________________________________________________________
vii. What else would you like to know about the information in this paragraph?
_________________________________________________________________________________
c. Conclusion
i. Read each sentence in the paragraph individually.
 Does the sentence make sense? If not star it.
 Could the sentence be written using fewer words? If so, rewrite it.
 Does the sentence contain information that should be cited?
 If it has statistics you must say where the statistics are from
 If it is someone else’s idea you need to give them credit
 If it is a quote you need to give them credit
 By stating where you got the information from it gives the paper more credibility
viii. Does the conclusion summarize the main ideas of the paper? Explain.
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
i. Does the conclusion end the paper well, tying up loose ends, and leave the reader thinking
about the topic? Explain.
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
d. Look at the order of paragraphs
i. Are paragraphs with similar ideas together or do you jump around a lot? Write the main idea
of each paragraph in a list. If needed, rewrite the main ideas in a more effective order.
Current Order
New Order
ii. Does the paper properly transition between paragraphs? Where does there need to be a better
transition. Mark it on the paper.
Making a Work cited Page






A work cited page should list all the sources you used to write your paper
All you have to do is type your work cited cards out into a word document
Your work cited page should be 12 pt font, Times New Roman, and have 1 inch margins.
It should be double spaced throughout. You do not need to put extra space between entries.
Sources should be in alphabetical order
If it takes more than one line to cite a source you will need to indent the second, third, and
etc. lines.
 You should have the title Work cited on the top, center of the page (12 pt, Times New
Roman, and no bold or italics)
 Example:
Work cited
Hosenball, Mark. “Food Safety.” Newsweek 16 Aug 2006. 16 Aug 2006
< http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14381902/site/newsweek/>.
Pettigrew, Thomas F. “Labor.” The World Book Encyclopedia. 1998 ed.
Sinclair, Upton. The Jungle. New York: Bantam Classics, 1981.
Smith, John. “Labor Reform.” Newsweek 31 Jul 2006: 50-52.
Thomas, Evan, and Andrew Romano. “Working Conditions in America.” Newsweek Aug 2006.
Expanded ASAP. Groiler. Kansas State University., Manhattan, KS. 11 Aug 2006
<http://lib.ksu.edu/expanded/news>.
U.S. Research Paper Rubric 2011
8
7
CATEGORY
10-9
6
5-0
Introduction
The introduction is
inviting, states the
main topic and
previews the structure
of the paper.
The introduction is
lacking in one area
(inviting, stating the main
topic, or previewing the
structure of the paper).
The introduction is
lacking in two areas
(inviting, stating the main
topic, or previewing the
structure of the paper).
There is evidence of
an introduction but
does not adequately
state the main topic or
structure of the paper
and it is not inviting.
There is no
introduction
Main Ideas
(Multiply by 2)
There are an adequate
number of Main Ideas,
they are fully
developed and they
support your thesis.
The main ideas are
lacking in one area
(adequate number of
main ideas,
development, or in how
they support your thesis.
The main ideas are
lacking in two areas
(adequate number of
main ideas,
development, or in how
they support your thesis.
The main ideas were
there but were
inadequate,
undeveloped and not
supportive of your
thesis.
No main
ideas were
apparent
Supporting
Details
(Multiply by 2)
All the evidence and
examples are specific,
relevant and
explanations are given
showing how each
piece of evidence
supports the author's
ideas.
Most of the evidence and
examples are specific,
relevant and
explanations are given
that show how each
piece of evidence
supports the author's
ideas.
At least one of the
pieces of evidence and
examples is relevant and
has an explanation that
shows how that piece of
evidence supports the
author's ideas.
Evidence and
examples are NOT
relevant AND/OR are
not explained.
There is no
evidence,
support, or
examples for
your main
ideas
Organization
Information is very
organized with a well
thought out plan on the
best way to support the
thesis.
Most of the paper is
organized. There may be
one paragraph that
needed to be moved to
enhance your thesis.
There are gaps in your
paper and areas are
confusing because of
paragraph order
The information
appears to be
disorganized.
The paper
has no
organization
and is
confusing.
Paragraph
Construction
All paragraphs include
introductory sentence,
explanations or details,
and concluding
sentence and support
the thesis.
Most paragraphs include
introductory sentence,
explanations or details,
and concluding sentence
an somewhat support the
thesis.
Paragraphs included
related information but
were typically not
constructed well and fail
to support the thesis.
Paragraphing structure
was not clear and
sentences were not
typically related within
the paragraphs and do
not relate to the thesis.
The main
idea of
paragraphs
were not
relevant or
were not
stated.
Flow and
Rhythm
All sentences sound
natural and are easyon-the-ear when read
aloud. Each sentence
is clear and has an
obvious emphasis.
Almost all sentences
sound natural and are
easy-on-the-ear when
read aloud, but 1 or 2 are
stiff and awkward or
difficult to understand.
Most sentences sound
natural and are easy-onthe-ear when read aloud,
but several are stiff and
awkward or are difficult
to understand.
The sentences are
difficult to read, they
sound awkward, are
distractingly repetitive,
or difficult to
understand.
None of the
sentences
make sense.
Mechanics
No grammatical,
spelling or punctuation
errors.
Almost no grammatical,
spelling or punctuation
errors
A few grammatical
spelling, or punctuation
errors.
Many grammatical,
spelling, or
punctuation errors.
Conclusion
The conclusion is
strong and leaves the
reader with a feeling
they understand what
the writer is saying
The conclusion is
recognizable and ties up
almost all the loose ends.
The conclusion is
recognizable, but does
not tie up several loose
ends.
There is no clear
conclusion, the paper
just ends.
Citation
In-text citations were
made everywhere
necessary without
errors.
In-text citations were
made in most places
necessary with zero to
few errors.
Many sources were not
recognized in the paper
when necessary.
No sources were
recognized within the
text of the paper.
Paper Length
and due date
Paper is a complete
four pages and was
turned in on time with
all rough drafts.
Paper is a complete 3
pages and was turned in
on time with all rough
drafts.
Paper was shorter than 3
pages and was turned in
on time with all rough
drafts.
Paper was not turned
in on time with all
rough drafts.