Objectives

• Use the library effectively
• Take notes from reference materials
• Design a small research study
• Quote, paraphrase, and document correctly
• Write a research paper using Modern Language Association (MLA) style

Text/Reading Assignment

• Successful College Writing, Chapters 18-20

Assignment

• Write a 5-7 page typed research paper
• Use MLA style for parenthetical documentation
• Include a "Works Cited" page in MLA style for sources used
(does not count toward minimum page requirement)
• Sources (dated within the last ten years as appropriate for topic; consult me for earlier
sources) must meet the following criteria:

1. Required minimum number for paper: 10

2. Required types = at least one each of the following:

• Periodical (magazine or journal)
• Reference book (no general encyclopedia)
• Other book
• Online source
• Other (newspaper article, interview, television documentary, video, etc.

Work to Be Submitted

The following must be submitted in a large envelope:

• Two copies of the final paper
• All creating techniques, typed rough drafts, critiques, revisions, and all other notes
• Bibliography cards
• Photocopies of ALL the sources used in your paper. The quotations and paraphrases used in the paper
must be easily recognized through highlighting the relevant passages.

(Only the exact page from which a paraphrase, summary, or direct quotation is taken is required.)

Writing the Paper

Choose a topic that interests you and about which you would like to learn more because you have a personal or professional connection to it. Research this subject in a library and, if appropriate, supplement your library research with online research, questionnaires, interviews, or other sources of information.
• Your topic must be worthwhile and manageable. Do not choose frivolous topics--I will reject them.

The following is a not necessarily complete list of topics that are not allowed for our Engl 1213 research paper and that I am sure to reject. I have seen essays on these topics, and they never turn out well because there is too much or too little information and it is difficult to look at these subjects from other people's point of view. Why make things harder on you than they need to be?

* abortion

* school prayer

* gun control

* drinking age

* racism

* parapsychology topics (ghosts, seances, etc.)

* death penalty

* legalization of marijuana or other drugs

* sports

* anything related to current events

• Your research paper must have a point. This is still an essay.
You must know what you want to accomplish and use research to support your opinion, not replace it.
• You must commit to the topic and the research process. If you enter the process with an
I'll-just-throw-it-together-later attitude or if you change topics every other day, success will be elusive!!! Research is serious work that must not be taken lightly. At the same time, there is no reason to be nervous or afraid.
• You must begin your research immediately. Do not procrastinate.
Once you fall behind, your chances of catching up are marginal at best. And remember: Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part.

References, Quotes, and Paraphrases

• Use at least 10 references for your paper. You may use more if you think that this might
be necessary. Sources should be current.
• Use only ideas or quotes that support your point of view. The purpose of using sources
and quotes is not to fill up space but to give your ideas credibility. Do not overuse other people's writing! I do not want to see papers that are 75% quotations! Most of the writing has to be yours!
• Guard yourself against plagiarism! Read the statement on plagiarism in your study guide
and the discussion of plagiarism in the textbook.


• The following rules will apply to your final draft:

1. Use of quotes and paraphrases must be done correctly (MLA style).

2. Absolutely no plagiarism. Any deliberate plagiarism (since you know what plagiarism is, any copying of others' words or ideas without giving credit will be considered deliberate) will result in a grade of zero (0) for THE ENTIRE COURSE.

3. Sources must be accurately and adequately cited.

4. There is no excuse for not referring to the textbook (Chapter 20) while you compile your research paper. I will not accept "I didn't know" as a reason for improperly formatting or documenting any part of your research paper.

Research Paper Proposal

As part of your research process, you will submit a typed research paper proposal. This proposal will help you determine the feasibility of your topic, the usefulness of your sources, and the organization of your paper. The proposal consists of the following parts:

1. Research Question

Once you have identified a topic you want to study, you must state a research question that will isolate the specific aspect of your topic that you want to find an answer to. It is crucial to your success that your question can be answered through the research you wish to conduct.

When you have written your question, restate it in the form of a sentence announcing your intention:

Sentence: I want to find out ...

Please write down the broad topic, the narrow topic, the research question, and the question restated in a sentence.

2. Research Design

2.1. Sources.

After you have your research question, decide on what or who your sources will be. Will you get everything from secondary sources (books, websites, journals)? Will you look at original documents? Will to talk to people? Will you observe people? Will you put together a questionnaire for people? Tell me which sources you intend to use and why you think those sources will be useful. (4-6 lines)

2.2. Format.

Briefly discuss how you will go about writing your paper. Which developmental pattern will you choose? Why do you think this pattern works well for your purpose? 4-6 lines)

2.3. Thesis.

Write down your preliminary thesis. Remember that your thesis must state an opinion that your research is going to support.

3. Rationale for Topic.

This section should include information about why you chose your topic and how it is useful to you. It is, in other words, your justification for choosing your topic. Discuss what you expect to accomplish or discover by researching your subject. You should also state how this paper can help you in some future endeavor. We do not want busy work designed only for getting by in this class. (6-8 lines)

4. Outline.

This one is going to be easy now. You already have your thesis, but based on your research to this point, give me your main points (i.e. your body paragraph topics) so that I may check the essay for external unity. If available, tell me about the evidence you are going to use for each paragraph.

Conference

You will be expected to meet with your instructor for a conference of approx. 20 minutes during the third or fourth week of your research process. Since this will take about six hours per class, our class will not meet during this conference week. Because of the number of students, however, you may have your conference at a time when we do not usually have class. Plan accordingly. I will provide an appointment sheet during the second week of our research process.

This conference is not just an opportunity to skip class. It is part of your total paper grade and gives you the opportunity to have someone else look at your research and give you pointers on how to improve the work you have already done.

Please bring the following items with you to the conference:

• revised and extended outline
• rough (second) draft
• your five most important sources

All three items must be presented at the conference. You must come prepared to earn credit (in other words, if you are unprepared, there is no use in having a conference, and you will not earn any points).

Since these conferences are by appointment only, they cannot be made up. Make sure that you come at the appointed time. You do not want to receive a low grade on the entire paper just because you have a bad memory or didn't feel like getting out of bed.

Submission Deadlines and Grade Breakdown

Include the following materials in your envelope in this order (bottom to top in a stack of paper):

• research paper proposal & outline
• first draft
• second draft, revised outline, and conference notes
• photocopies of all references with quotes highlighted
• works cited page (first version)
• two copies of final draft with works cited page attached

Point Total: 400 points (of 1,000, i.e. 40% of your course grade)

NB: A well-written research paper requires persistence and discipline. Trying to support a strong opinion is not something that can be thrown together the night before. As a result, ALL ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE IN ON TIME. Late assignments will receive a grade of zero (0). If you must be absent on a day something is due, arrange to turn it in early.

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