English 1



Instructor DeFrance

English 103

Research Paper

Research papers make an argumentative claim about a topic and justify this claim with specific evidence. The claim could be an opinion, a policy proposal, an evaluation, a cause-and-effect statement, or an interpretation. The goal of the argumentative research paper is to convince the audience that the claim is true based on the evidence provided. A research paper presents the results of your investigations on a selected topic. Based on your own thoughts and the facts and ideas you have gathered from a variety of sources, a research paper is a creation that is uniquely yours.

A Successful Paper Must:

• Be a reasonable length: Length 8-10 double-spaced pages (or 1,500 to 2,500 words) of text (not including graphics, cover page, appendices, or reference page). However, ten "rambling" pages are not better than eight clear, fully developed pages.

• Argue a thesis-driven point using evidence and analysis

• Use a minimum of 5 sources (at least 1 must be a scholarly source)

Possible Topics

• Your topic should relate (even vaguely) to either a class theme, individual, or historical event we have or will cover in this class

• For example: George Lamming, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Mumia Abu Jamal, Richard Wagner, revolutions, struggles for independence, oppression or slavery, speeches, rap music, or West Indian authors, artists, or musicians

Steps in the Process

1. Proposal Letter

2. Introduction and Thesis

3. Research Questions

4. Annotated Bibliography

5. Rough Draft 1

6. Rough Draft 2

7. Final

a. Due the Final class meeting

b. Include: Title Page, Final Draft, Bibliography, Annotated Bibliography, and Proposal Letter

More Information on Research Papers

A research paper is not simply an informed summary of a topic by means of primary and secondary sources. It is neither a book report nor an opinion piece nor an expository essay consisting solely of one's interpretation of a text nor an overview of a particular topic. Instead, it is a genre that requires one to spend time investigating and evaluating sources with the intent to offer interpretations of the texts, and not unconscious regurgitations of those sources. The goal of a research paper is not to inform the reader what others have to say about a topic, but to draw on what others have to say about a topic and engage the sources in order to thoughtfully offer a unique perspective on the issue at hand.

The argumentative research paper consists of an introduction in which the writer clearly introduces the topic and informs his audience exactly which stance he intends to take; this stance is often identified as the thesis statement. An important goal of the argumentative research paper is persuasion, which means the topic chosen should be debatable or controversial. For example, it would be difficult for a student to successfully argue in favor of the following stance.

Cigarette smoking poses medical dangers and may lead to cancer for both the smoker and those who experience secondhand smoke.

Perhaps 25 years ago this topic would have been debatable; however, today, it is assumed that smoking cigarettes is, indeed, harmful to one's health. A better thesis would be the following. Although it has been proven that cigarette smoking may lead to sundry health problems in the smoker, the social acceptance of smoking in public places demonstrates that many still do not consider secondhand smoke as dangerous to one's health as firsthand smoke. In this sentence, the writer is not challenging the current accepted stance that both firsthand and secondhand cigarette smoke is dangerous; rather, she is positing that the social acceptance of the latter over the former is indicative of a cultural double-standard of sorts. The student would support this thesis throughout her paper by means of both primary and secondary sources, with the intent to persuade her audience that her particular interpretation of the situation is viable.

Audience

• Who is the general audience I want to reach?

• Who is most likely to be interested in the research I am doing?

• What is it about my topic that interests the general audience I have discerned?

• If the audience I am writing for is not particularly interested in my topic, what should I do to pique its interest?

• Will each member of the broadly conceived audience agree with what I have to say?

• If not (which will likely be the case!) what counter-arguments should I be prepared to answer?

Incorporating Research

Research is mandatory. Textual evidence/quotes and MLA format citation is required for each quote. A research paper without quotes/textual evidence does NOT receive a passing grade.

Three Forms of Acceptable Research:

1. Quotations must be identical to the original, using a narrow segment of the source. They must match the source document word for word and must be attributed to the original author. (PREFERRED)

2. Paraphrasing involves putting a passage from source material into your own words. A paraphrase must also be attributed to the original source. Paraphrased material is usually shorter than the original passage, taking a somewhat broader segment of the source and condensing it slightly. (ACCEPTABLE)

3. Summarizing involves putting the main idea(s) into your own words, including only the main point(s). Once again, it is necessary to attribute summarized ideas to the original source. Summaries are significantly shorter than the original and take a broad overview of the source material. (ACCEPTABLE, BUT USUALLY INSUFFICIENT BY ITSELF)

Formatting

Paper:

Use white, twenty-pound, 81/2- by 11-inch paper. Erasable paper tends to smudge and should be avoided for a final draft. If you prefer to use erasable paper in the preparation of your paper, submit a good photocopy to your instructor.

Margins:

Except for page numbers (see below), leave one-inch margins all around the text of your paper -- left side, right side, and top and bottom. Paragraphs should be indented half an inch; set-off quotations should be indented an inch from the left margin (five spaces and ten spaces, respectively, on standard typewriters).

Spacing:

The MLA Guide says that "the research paper must be double-spaced," including quotations, notes, and the list of works cited.

Heading and Title:

At the top of the first page, at the left-hand margin, type your name, your instructor's name, the course name and number, and the date -- all on separate, double-spaced lines. Then double-space again and center the title above your text. (If your title requires more than one line, double-space between the lines.) Double-space again before beginning your text. The title should be neither underlined nor written in all capital letters. Capitalize only the first, last, and principal words of the title. Titles might end with a question mark or an exclamation mark if that is appropriate, but not in a period. Titles written in other languages are capitalized and punctuated according to different rules, and writers should consult the MLA Guide or their instructors.

Page Numbers:

Number your pages consecutively throughout the manuscript (including the first page) in the upper right-hand corner of each page, one-half inch from the top. Type your last name before the page number. Most word processing programs provide for a "running head," which you can set up as you create the format for the paper, at the same time you are establishing things like the one-inch margins and the double-spacing. This feature makes the appearance and consistency of the page numbering a great convenience. Make sure the page-number is always an inch from the right-hand edge of the paper (flush with the right-hand margin of your text) and that there is a double-space between the page number and the top line of text. Do not use the abbreviation p. or any other mark before the page number.

Proposal Letter or Prospectus

Specifics: Compose a 1-2 page (250-500 words) outline of your main idea(s) and supporting questions or ideas.

A prospectus is a document that includes:

1. Introduce your interest in the topic

2. State your research questions or a workable thesis

3. Identify your Primary Source (by title and author)

4. Identify three (3) potential Secondary Sources (by titles and authors)

5. State your next step in the research process (what do you need to do next?)

Annotated Bibliography

Specifics: Annotate all 5 (five) of your sources in alphabetical order. Annotations should be between 50-100 words.

Write a concise annotation that summarizes the central theme and scope of the book or article. Include one or more sentences that:

(a) Evaluate the authority or background of the author

(b) Identify medium and genre

(c) List the types of evidence used

(d) Identify the audience and purpose

(e) Explain how you intend to use this source in your research paper

Notes

No late Research Papers will be accepted! Research papers must be submitted in print (not via email). A hardcopy/printed copy of the research paper is due at the beginning of class on the final class meeting.

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