Name: English 10-Persuasive Research Paper Assignment: You will create a research paper for English. The subject of your research will be a controversial topic. Because this assignment will occupy a significant portion of the marking period, it is necessary to understand the weight of the project. The ability to follow directions and meet deadlines is essential for success in both this class and in life. Much of the purpose of this project is to develop these habits. Purpose: 1. Further your knowledge and competency of the research process. 2. Use proper sources to locate specific information. 3. Properly cite information to avoid plagiarism. 4. Develop life skills such as meeting deadlines and following directions. 5. Form an opinion and use facts to support it. 6. Develop organizational skills (both in life and in writing). Materials: You will be expected to turn in ALL of the following items as part of your research grade: 1. Note cards 2. Outline 3. Rough draft 4. Final draft Cover page Paper Works cited page
Name: English 10 Persuasive Research Paper Points Record 1. Plagiarism Contract (5) 2. Note cards 30 notecards 1 point each (30) 3. Outline Correct format (5) Correct information (5) 4. Rough Draft with edits (20) 5. Cover page Correct format (5) Correct information (5) 6. Paper 1. Information Thesis statement clearly states topic (5) Introduction paragraph (10) Background information (20) Point # 1 with support (20) Point # 2 with support (20) Point # 3 with support (20) Conclusion (10) 2. Structure and mechanics Parenthetical notation (15) Organization (10) Grammar (10) 7. Works Cited Page Format (5) Information (5) TOTAL (225)
Notes on Plagiarism Plagiarism is using any other person s words as your own. Plagiarism is not only against school rules and my rules, it is morally wrong and furthermore, it is illegal. If you plagiarize any part of this paper, you will receive a ZERO for the entire project. Plagiarism is easy to detect, especially after I have read your writing for an entire semester. I know your writing style. Don t be lazy. Don t try to test the system. It s just not worth it! Types of plagiarism: 1. Taking and/or buying a paper from the Internet. Teachers at this school have access to plagiarismfinder.com. This site allows us to scan entire papers to see the exact percentage plagiarized, or enter phrases and/or paragraphs. This site will take us directly to the Internet source where you got the paper. 2. Taking and/or buying any PART of a paper from the Internet. 3. Using someone else s paper. Yes, I know your friends have done this research paper. If you attempt to hand in their work, I will know it. Most of the work we do on this paper will be done in class, so do your own work! 4. Failing to put information into your own words. Sometimes, without intending to copy someone else s words, we forget to paraphrase. Even if only a sentence or a few words is the same, it s plagiarism. How do you avoid this? 1. Paraphrase, paraphrase, paraphrase! 2. Put the direct quotation in quotation marks. 5. Failing to cite information. You have to use parenthetical notation after EVERY piece of information. If there is even one sentence that is not notated, you have plagiarized. Plagiarism Contract Please read the statement and sign your name. Detach the bottom portion of this page and turn into Mrs. Waskiewicz. I have read and understand that if I plagiarize any part of my paper, I will receive a zero on this project. I understand the different types of plagiarism, and I have asked Mrs. Waskiewicz to clear up any questions I still have about plagiarism. Furthermore, if I have any questions about whether I am plagiarizing during the research process I will ask Mrs. Waskiewicz for assistance. X Date
Note Cards Information: Note Cards When finding information on your topic, keep in mind that the following information is required to be addressed on your paper: Clearly stated, logical opinion with at least three supporting facts Background information about the topic, including a description Reliable information supporting your position You are required to make, use, and turn in note cards for this project. The benefit of using note cards during the research process is that they help in the organization process. Sample Note Card Roman Numeral for Source # Outline Reference or Paragraph Number Sample Source Cards Note on topic (One piece of information per card!) (Page # in source) P or Q P=Paraphrase-- put original author s information into your own words Q= Quote information taken from source verbatim. Must use quotation marks!
Source Cards Sources: 1. Use data bases to find information (we have specific days set aside for the library). You must use at least 2 different electronic sources. 2. Use at least one printed source. Our library has books on many of the topics that you may choose, but not all of them. You may also use an encyclopedia as a printed source. This means you should have a minimum of THREE (3) sources! Sample Source Cards Internet source Source # Author s last name, first name Title of article. Name of website Date of publication. Date of access ex. 28 February 2011. URL. Database source Source # Last name, first name Article Title. Journal Title. Database Title. Date Published Date retrieved. URL. Book source Source # Author s last name, first name Title of book City of publication Publisher s name Year of publication Encyclopedia source Source # Title Encyclopedia name Year edited
Thesis Statement A thesis statement: Tells the reader what you will be writing about, BUT does not include the word I. DO NOT WRITE: I am going to tell you about or I am going to write about etc Needs to be something you can PROVE in your paper. A thesis statement is an interpretation of a question or subject, not the subject itself. Is usually the last sentence in your introductory paragraph. The rest of the paper (the body) gathers and organizes evidence that will inform the reader of the logic of your thesis statement. When writing thesis, do not write I think that It is much more effective if you state your opinion as a fact. For example, Adolf Hitler was a mad man who killed sounds A LOT more professional than I think that Hitler was a mad man who killed
Outline Outlines serve as a road map for your paper. They help the reader know what is included and should only include the topics, not specifics. Two-point rule: If you have an A, you must have a B; if you hav e a 1, you must have a 2. Your thesis will be at the top of the paper (hanging indent) All other text should be double spaced. Capitalize the first word beside each letter or number. Paragraph numbers do not necessarily match up with the Roman numerals in the outline. (Roman numeral IV does not mean that it is paragraph 4.) When in doubt, refer to the example below or sample outline. Basic Outline: Thesis goes here. Title I. Introduction (including thesis at the end of the paragraph) II. III. IV. Background information on your subject Supporting point one A. Example B. Example Supporting point two A. Example B. Example V. Supporting point three A. Example B. Example VI. Conclusion - closing statement(s) about the issue and restatement of the thesis
NAME ALTERNATIVE OUTLINE FORMAT PARAGRAPH 1--INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH WITH THESIS STATEMENT PARAGRAPH 2--BACKGROUND INFORMATION PARAGRAPH(S) PARAGRAPH 3--POINT #1 WITH SUPPORTING DETAILS PARAGRAPH 4--POINT #2 WITH SUPPORTING DETAILS PARAGRAPH 5--POINT #3 WITH SUPPORTING DETAILS PARAGRAPH 6--CONCLUSION PARAGRAPH
Parenthetical Notation Parenthetical notation is the tool that allows you to say where you got the information in your research paper. There is a specific format that you will use according to the MLA handbook. If you do not use parenthetical notation, you are asserting that the information in your research paper is yours. It s not. You had to look it up. Give the author credit, or it is plagiarism. Parenthetical notation ALWAYS: 1. Is surrounded by parenthesis. 2. Has the period AFTER the parenthesis. *If you know the author of the information, use the LAST name ONLY! 1. With an author and a page # (Smith 44). The American average annual salary for a new teacher is 38,000 dollars (Smith 44). 2. With an author, no page # The American average annual salary for a new teacher is 38,000 dollars (Smith). 3. With an introducing author Smith states that the average teacher (32). *If you do not know the author s name, use the title of the article, in quotations. 1. No author, with a page # ( Teaching 52). The American average annual salary for a new teacher is 38,000 dollars ( Teaching 52). 2. No author, no page # ( Teaching ). The American average annual salary for a new teacher is 38,000 dollars ( Teaching ). 3. With an introducing title name In Teaching Today s Students, the average teacher is said to be (26).
Title Page The title page serves as a cover to your paper and provides basic information for the reader. Your cover page should appear as follows: (10 single spaces) Title of your paper (15 single spaces) Your Name Teacher Name Course Name Date
Works Cited We will be using the MLA format for cite our sources. Use your source cards. The works cited page comes at the end of the paper and exists to give credit to the source of the information. All entries should be arranged alphabetically by the first word. Everything should be double spaced. All works cited entries should have a hanging indent. Copy publishing information carefully accuracy is crucial in research. Please take note to all of the punctuation. If it is not punctuated correctly you will lose points. Internet: Author s last name, first name. Title of article. Name of website. Date of publication. Date of access. <url (website)>. Database: Author s Last name, first name. Title of article. Title of Journal. Title of Database. Date of publication. Date of access. <url)>. Book: Author s last name, first name. Title of book. City of publication: Publisher s name, Year of publication. Encyclopedia: Title. Encyclopedia name. Year edited. **If you are using anything other than these three options, we will work on yours separately. Do not try to mold your newspaper or magazine article, or any other source into one of these three options. Come see me!!!!