Due date for final draft packet: October 11 when class begins
Length: 1400-2000 words (4-6 typed
double-spaced pages)
The Research Paper should present an analytical
or persuasive thesis developed from one of the topics I provide. The research
used in your paper, in the form of direct quotations and paraphrases, should support
your attitudes and observations— not be the paper itself.
Sources:
You must use between five and ten sources to support your paper, and
they must be a combination of books, magazines, newspapers, video programs,
interviews and online sources. Only one
general reference book—such as an encyclopedia—can be used, and at least one
print source must be incorporated. Only online sources found through GALILEO
are accepted, as no general websites are allowed. No book reviews or article
abstracts will count as valid sources, either electronically or in print.
The
Research Paper packet must be word processed and include the following:
1.
Identification on the first page of the paper with
the following information: your name, instructor’s name, course name, due date,
paper title – no separate title page (see sample in Harbrace );
2.
The
Text of the paper must be 4-6 pages, word processed and double-spaced
with pages numbered. The paper should
have one-inch margins all around and use a 12 point font. Papers with a text shorter than 3 pages or
longer than 8 pages will not receive a passing grade;
3.
Citations
should be included
parenthetically within the body of the text where appropriate;
4.
Works
Cited page
should be the final separate page of the paper. It is not to be counted as one
of the 4-6 required length pages, but is numbered.
All documentation – citations, works cited form, etc — must
follow exactly the MLA form outlined in Harbrace.
The
final paper and all that is to be turned in with it should be placed inside a
large manila envelope. The following must be included in the packet:
1.
Note
cards, either handwritten on index cards or word processed on individual sheets
of paper;
2.
Outline
and rough draft of paper
3.
Photocopies
of cited source material as whole copied pages.
These copies should be marked to correspond with each citation,
preferably by page number and paragraph, and sections utilized either in direct
quotations or in paraphrasing must be highlighted. Each copied page should have the original
author’s name and page number clearly marked.
The copies should be sorted in the order that they are used in the
research paper.
Schedule of Deadlines and Grading:
Points earned for each deadline assignment apply toward the final grade
of the research paper. As each deadline draws near, we will discuss the
components due. The only way to complete
the entire project successfully is to keep up with this schedule.
The entire research paper counts as 30% of your final grade. 20 points of your grade will be earned with deadline assignments (see below) and 80 points for the final, completed packet. Grading will be based upon a)unity, organization, development, selection and use of research materials; b) citation mechanics; and c) grammar, punctuation, style.
-- August
30: tentative topic selected, 2 points
--
September 8: tentative bibliography in correct form, 4 points
–
September 13: final, limited topic and outline with thesis statement, 3 points
–
September 20: completed notes and a rough introduction to paper (keep copies to
begin work on rough draft), 5 points
–
September 27: complete rough draft with proper MLA parenthetical citations and
works cited page – must be submitted to www.turnitin.com
- (keep copy to begin work on final draft), 6 points
–
October 11: final draft – must be submitted to www.turnitin.com
- with complete packet, 80 points
TOTAL
POINTS AVAILABLE = 100 (counts at 30% of course grade)
Evidence of plagiarism will result in a
zero for the assignment.
Where to go for
help outside of class?
Ø Harbrace for MLA style and mechanics of writing
a research paper
Ø The
Sundance Reader
(1101 text) analytical and persuasive writing chapters.
Ø Online
paper examples linked here and to online syllabus
Ø Online MLA citation examples at: http://www.libs.uga.edu/ref/mlastyle.html
Ø The
Ø The GHC Library staff and website
Ø Appointments with the instructor
Topics Choices:
- England’s Stonehenge or
- The
effectiveness of anti-drug, anti-alcohol and/or anti-smoking campaigns
- Complete and
justify this statement: “The most significant challenge facing our society
today is _________________.”
- Effects of participation in extra-curricular events
(sports, band, etc) upon students' academic performances
- Effects
of Title 9 upon female athletic participation and/or achievement
-
“Typical” images of men or women portrayed in entertainment
media, and the effects of these images
- Effects of Federal financial aid programs
upon higher education in the U.S.
- Reasons behind some college students’ violations
of academic integrity policies, and strategies to combat such violations
-
Issues involved in college and/or high school media being covered under First
Amendment rights
-
Effects/impact of the media upon elections
- Influence of the American South and its culture on the
writings of either William Faulkner or Tennessee Williams
- Depiction of African American experiences within the
writings of Maya Angelou, Richard Wright or Langston Hughes
- Feminist issues explored within the writings of either
Kate Chopin or Charlotte Perkins Gillman
- Why
giant tortoises live so long
- How cockroach
species have survived for millennia