ENGLISH 11 - Lower Moreland Township School District



ENGLISH 1152

RESEARCH PAPER PACKET

Each student must keep this packet, along with all research materials (sources, note cards, outlines, drafts, etc.) in a large pocket folder. Put your name on this folder. You will need a flash drive to save work, as some of your work must be completed at home. You will also need to purchase at least 25 4 X 6 lined index cards for note-taking.

As we go through the research process, you will refer to every handout in this packet. Use the Table of Contents to help you navigate.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Page

1 Sample Works Cited

2 Highlighting and finding subtopics

3 Examples of subtopics

4 Rules for note-taking

5 Creating the outline

6 Sample outline—media violence

7 Research paper writing guidelines

8 Thesis paragraph instructions

9 Sample thesis paragraph

10 Body paragraph instructions

11 Transitional expressions

12 Conclusion paragraph instructions

13 Research paper evaluation

Template for Works Consulted and Works Cited

|  |

|Your last name 7 |

| |

|Works Cited |

|  |

|     Gelman, David, and Karen Springen. "How Will the Clone Feel?" Newsweek 8 Oct. 1993:  |

|               65+. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 16 Oct. 2010. <  >. |

|     Lehrman, Sally. "No More Cloning Around." Scientific American: Aug. 2008: 100. Print. |

|     "Medical Research: Human Embryos Cloned from Skin Cell." Facts on File World News  |

|              Digest 31 Jan. 2008: n. pag. World News Digest. Web.  27 Oct. 2010. |

|              <  >. |

|  |

 

The Works Cited page appears at the end of your paper. Format as follows:

• It should be on a separate page from your text.

• All margins should be set to 1" (Microsoft Word 2010: Page Layout tab - Page Setup group - Margins - Normal).

• The page should be numbered at the top with your last name and the page number of your paper. This can be done by creating a header.

• The title should be centered (not underlined, italicized, bolded, or put in quotes).

• All entries should be listed alphabetically by Author or by Title (ignore the words A, An, The). DO NOT NUMBER ENTRIES

• Double-space the entire list (Microsoft Word 2010: Highlight all - Right click - Paragraph - Line Spacing - Double).

• If the entry runs more than one line, indent subsequent line(s) 1/2" or one tab space by using a hanging indent (Microsoft Word 2010: Highlight all - Right click - Paragraph - Special - Hanging) or to tab lines individually, use CTRL+Tab.

• You need 7 citations from 5 different sources in your paper; therefore, you will have no less than 5 entries on your Works Cited page.

•

• Works Cited: is the term for the list of sources actually documented (paraphrased or quoted) in your project, generally through parenthetical citation. All of the parenthetical references in the paper or project should lead the reader to this list of sources.

Highlighting & Finding subtopics:

1. Read through your sources, carefully highlighting any information you think might be useful to proving that your point of view is the correct one.

2. Keep in mind you will need an overview of both sides of the controversial issue, so highlight key arguments on the opposing side as well.

3. Statistics can be particularly useful in proving your point so highlight good ones.

4. Quotes from experts and authorities, first hand personal accounts, and primary sources are necessary. You may want to highlight these in a separate color.

5. Do not highlight everything!

6. As you read over your highlighted notes, start making a list in the margin of possible subtopics for your paper. Use the headings on your articles to help you come up with ideas. A subtopic should be specific as it will ultimately turn into a paragraph of your paper. For example: "Reasons for stem cell research" would be a good subtopic. "Research" or "Facts" would not.

Example of effective highlighting and subtopic selection:

Counterpoint: Professional Athletes Should Play Fair

Thesis: Professional athletes found to be using performance-enhancing drugs should be banned from their respective sports, and should not qualify for any awards that were earned during the time they were abusing illegal substances.

Summary: Although performance enhancement is an age-old practice, the use of steroids and other drugs during competition is a violation of good sportsmanship. Steroid use provides an unfair advantage to athletes and establishes unrealistic achievement levels, which is why athletes who have used steroids should be punished rather than honored. Furthermore, steroid use sets a poor example, especially for student athletes who admire and seek to emulate the skills of professional players. Professional sports organizations should follow the example set by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and ban drug-using competitors from participating in their respective sports.

Everyone Wants the Advantage

The use of performance-enhancing drugs by athletes is not new; historical documents describe stories of athletes ingesting potions, such as ground horse hooves and sheep testicles, in an attempt to enhance performance during the Olympic games of ancient Greece. Other evidence suggests that the Incas of South America burned cocoa leaves to heighten energy levels before battles and hunting expeditions, while athletes in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries experimented with various chemical combinations, including caffeine, heroine, cocaine, and strychnine-a chemical most often associated with rat poison.

Examples of Sub-Topics: Evaluate the following as either effective and specific subtopics that could become body paragraphs (Check GOOD) OR vague and general words that would not make effective subtopics (Check BAD).

Sub-Topics GOOD BAD

1. RESEARCH ______ ______

2. QUOTES ______ ______

3. NEGATIVE EFFECTS ______ ______

4. KEY TERMS ______ ______

5. DEFINITIONS ______ ______

6. CAUSES ______ ______

7. REASONS AGAINST ______ ______

8. TREATMENT ______ ______

9. SOLUTIONS ______ ______

10. FACTS ______ ______

11. MISCELLANEOUS ______ ______

12. GENERAL INFORMATION ______ ______

13. PREVENTION ______ ______

14. STATISTICS ______ ______

15. POSITIVE EFFECTS ______ ______

16. REASONS FOR ______ ______

17. BACKGROUND INFORMATION ______ ______

18. STUDIES ______ ______

Rules for Taking Notes

Use 4 X 6 index cards for notes.

Write only in blue or black ink. Write neatly.

Write on only one side of the card.

Do not write in complete sentences unless it is a direct quote. Be sure direct quotes include the speaker of the quote, the quote itself (word for word), and quotation marks.

All notes must be paraphrased (put in your own words) unless it is a direct quote.

IMPORTANT!!! Always include the citation to the right of each note. See your Preliminary Works Cited for proper format.

Write as many notes as you can. It is better to have too much information than not enough.

Abbreviating is fine so long as you remember what it means.

If you photocopy information, you still must transfer it to your note cards.

Be sure you know where your cards are at all times. Put your name on the back of each card and keep them together with a rubber band or paper clip.

Sample note card--Topic: Media Violence

Notes Proper citation from Works Cited

| |

|Negative effect #1—Imitation of violence (Subtopic name) |

| Study in 1996 by FCC showed children age 5-8 were 4X |

| more likely to engage in violent play after watching a violent |

| cartoon than children who watched a peaceful cartoon |

| (“Television” n. pag.). |

| |

| Students who carried out the mass murder |

| at Columbine HS played violent video game “Doom” |

| the morning before the attack (Block 45). |

| |

| Child therapist Dr. Michael Lang said, |

| “Children do not have the maturity or understanding of mortality |

| to comprehend that weapons are not play things, but that |

| they can kill. Children have killed other children in the name of |

| fun. The great tragedy is that they don’t understand that death is |

| permanent” (Graham n. pag.). |

Creating an Outline for the Research Paper

1. Separate note cards according to subtopics.

2. Arrange the subtopic piles according to what seems to be the most logical order of their use in the paper.

3. Keep in mind that some of your subtopic piles may need to be further separated into SUB- subtopics. For example, you may have one subtopic labeled “Effects,” but as you organize the notecards to write your paper, you may find you need to divide these into 2 piles: “Social Effects” and “Genetic Effects.” Be flexible in the way you organize your piles in order to write the most effective body paragraphs to prove your thesis.

4. Two categories for the outline will not appear in a pile of note cards. These two are “Introduction” and “Conclusion”.

A. The Introduction will provide an overview of your paper and the thesis statement. The overview of the paper will be highly dependent on the body of the outline. The thesis will state what your paper will prove about your topic.

B. The Conclusion will be no different from other conclusions you have written in the past, except that for this paper your extension should include a reference to how your topic exemplifies the concept of individual freedom versus societal control.

5. You are now ready to begin creating your working outline. This implies that as you write the paper, you may find that what you originally thought was a good order for your subtopics really isn’t. Don’t try to make your paper fit an artificial order. It’s easier to change the outline. The only outline that will have real merit is the one you end up with once your paper is complete. However, the working outline is necessary in order to get you started with some sort of roadmap that will help you write the paper.

6. Please note the following reminders:

a. On the outline, only two complete sentences should appear: the thesis and the thesis rephrased.

b. The outline subsections cannot have an “A” without a “B”.

c. Only the first word in each line of the outline is capitalized.

d. Entire outline must be double-spaced.

e. Each Roman numeral will become a body paragraph for your essay.

Turn to the next page for an example of what the outline will look like.

Outline – Media Violence

I. Introduction

Type the thesis statement here:

II. Causes of exposure to media violence

A. Easy access and constant availability of violent content

B. Lack of parent supervision

III. Arguments against media and violence connection

A. Only a small percentage of children at risk

B. Can be a healthy outlet for emotions and stress

C. Some studies show little correlation between violent content and violent behavior

IV. Negative effect #1 – glamorization

A. Movie depiction examples

B. Video game violence

IV. Negative effect #2—desensitization

A. Physical responses to repeated exposure to violence

B. Emotional responses to repeated exposure to violence

V. Negative effect #3—imitation of violent behavior

A. Child psychology & lack of understanding of death

B. Increase in aggressive thoughts

C. Increase in aggressive acts

VI. Solutions--better restrictions

A. Movie & video game ratings

B. Television V-chip

C. Parent supervision

VII. Conclusion

Type rephrased thesis here:

English 11 Research Paper Guidelines 2016

Thesis Paragraph: Include a brief grabber, a bridge to introduce your topic, a roadmap of the major ideas you plan to explore (use your outline for this), and end with specific thesis statement. (See sample Intro handout)

Body Paragraphs: Each Roman numeral in your outline will represent a paragraph of your paper. Each letter will represent a subtopic for that paragraph. If you have an “A,” you must also have a “B.” Each paragraph must include a topic sentence that acts as an umbrella for all the subtopics within that paragraph. Include appropriate transitions between subtopics. End with a concluding sentence that relates the paragraph back to your thesis.

Remember to transition at the beginning of each body paragraph by linking the previous subject to the new subject you are introducing.

Quotes: The paper requires a minimum of seven quotes from five sources. These quotes must be integrated into the sentences. For each quote, provide a parenthetical citation (see examples below).

One author- (Smith 23) or if internet source, (Smith n. pag.)

Two authors- (Smith and Jones 45) or if internet source, (Smith and Jones n. pag.)

Editor- (Miller, ed. 101) or if internet source, (Miller, ed. n. pag)

No author or editor- (“Media” 32) or if internet source, (“Media” n. pag.)

No author or editor, but 2 articles with the same title-

(“Media” Britannica Online n. pag.)

(“Media” Points of View n. pag.)

Concluding Paragraph: This paragraph begins with a rephrased thesis statement. It then summarizes the main point of the paper, similar to the thesis paragraph. It ends with an extension related to the topic of individual freedom versus societal control.

General Information:

1. Do not use 1st or 2nd person pronouns unless they appear in a quote.

2. Do not write… In this report… In this quote… In conclusion.

3. Do not use contractions, abbreviations, or slang unless they appear in a quote.

4. Use Times New Roman, 12 point font with one inch margins. The entire paper, including Works Cited, must be double spaced and in MLA format with headers at the top of each page.

English 1152

Thesis Paragraph for Persuasive Research Paper

Similar to other multi-paragraph essays, the research paper begins with a thesis paragraph that outlines the whole paper, thereby providing a roadmap for the reader. The most efficient way to create the thesis paragraph is to devise an outline from which to base the paragraph.

Below is a general outline of the thesis paragraph.

Start the thesis paragraph with an attention grabber about the topic.

This can be in the form of statistical information,

startling facts about the topic, or a brief anecdote.

Create a bridge to introduce the paper’s topic.

Roadmap: Using the outline as a guide, begin to address

each topic listed next to the Roman numerals.

Each topic should be addressed

in a separate sentence, but do not

provide specific information.

Present just a general introduction.

The last sentence

of this paragraph

is the thesis.

It states your

position on

the topic.

The thesis statement might sound something like this:

Although some (many) people believe that ________________________ is wrong (unacceptable), the research shows that supporting/legalizing __________________________ would be more beneficial to society.

OR:

Although some (many) people believe that ________________________ is harmless (acceptable), the research shows that preventing/banning __________________________ is necessary to protect society.

Jade Smith

Mrs. Mont

English 11

11 March 2016

SAMPLE THESIS PARAGRAPH

Grabber: The average American child watches twenty-seven hours of television a week, witnessing 100,000 acts of violence and over 8,000 murders in his lifetime. (“Television Violence”) Bridge: As a result of statistics like these, television violence has become an increasing concern among parents who find it more and more difficult to regulate the amount of violence their children see everyday. Roadmap: One reason for the problem is that violent media is so easily accessible to young children due to cable television and the internet. In addition, many parents no longer supervise their children’s television watching habits, as most families have both parents in the workplace. While some studies show no correlation between violent content and violent behavior, the dangers of ignoring the problem far outweigh the potential restrictions of personal freedoms. Violent television tends to glamorize violence by depicting brutal behavior as acceptable and even admirable. Not only that, but this constant exposure to violence desensitizes young people so they do not recognize aggressive or antisocial behavior when they see it. Finally, watching violent television promotes violent behavior by giving children models of anti-social conduct to imitate. To solve this problem, better restrictions must be put in place to curb the amount of violent media available to young children. Thesis: Although some people believe that violent television is harmless, the research shows that restricting violent television is beneficial for the youth of America.

English 1152

Writing a Body Paragraph

1. Look at your outline and find the first Roman numeral after the introduction. Write a topic sentence for this idea.

2. Arrange all the note cards you have for that subtopic and read through them and arrange them in the most logical order.

3. Write sentences that use your own ideas supported by facts, statistics, and/or quotes from your note cards. Aim to include at least one quote per body paragraph.

4. Cite any information from your cards, even if it is paraphrased. Use quotation marks around direct quotes. Refer to p. 7 in your packet for reminders about how to cite. EX: (Smith n. pag.) Note: If the information you use is basic factual information that would not vary by source, this is considered “common knowledge” and will not need to be cited. But it still should be written in your own words.

5. End each paragraph with a concluding sentence.

6. Start the next body paragraph with a transition (see p. 11 for a comprehensive list of transitions), then go to the next Roman numeral or letter in your outline and begin the process again.

Proper quote integration

An integrated quote means you have identified who is speaking and that the quote makes sense in the context of your paper. Ex.

To explain this phenomenon, Dr. Marvin Smith said, "quote quote quote quote quote quote

quote quote quote" (Thompson n. pag.).

A block quote is any quote that would be longer than four lines in the body of your paper. It must be set off by a comma and follow proper block quote format. Ex:

One critic was incredibly vocal about his opposition:

Quote quote quote quote quote quote quote quote quote quote quote

quote quote quote quote quote quote quote quote quote quote quote

quote quote quote quote quote quote quote quote quote quote quote

quote quote quote quote quote quote quote quote quote quote quote

quote quote quote quote quote quote quote quote. (Smith n. pag.)

Transitional Expressions

Placing ideas in logical order does not necessarily ensure coherence. The sentences of a good paragraph, or paragraphs of a good research paper, are held together by linking expressions and connectives.

To add an idea to one you have already stated:

again also furthermore in addition similarly likewise moreover

To limit or contradict an idea you have already stated:

on the contrary on the other hand nevertheless however

To show a time or place arrangement of your ideas:

at the present time at the same time at this point eventually

first second finally later

meanwhile

To conclude an idea:

as a result for these reasons therefore consequently

Verbs for Variety

Use the following verbs to eliminate weak or repeated words.

For says or states, substitute: defines reports explains refers criticizes observes emphasizes implies questions indicates develops describes mentions

For believes or feels, substitute: contends views maintains

considers claims expresses

proposes regards

For agrees, substitute: supports upholds concurs

presents in a similar view

For disagrees, substitute: differs argues challenges

raises the question

English 1152

Conclusion Paragraph for Persuasive Research Paper

Similar to other multi-paragraph essays, the conclusion begins with a restatement of your thesis (must use different words!), followed by a brief summary of your main points, and ending with an extension that explains how this controversial issue is relevant to the reader or the real world. The most efficient way to create the conclusion paragraph is to devise an outline from which to base the paragraph.

Below is a general outline of the conclusion paragraph.

The first sentence

of this paragraph

is the restated thesis.

It must use different

words from your

intro thesis.

Summary: In two or three sentences,

summarize the main supporting reasons

you outlined in your essay.

Extension: End with a final sentence that explains how your topic

is relevant to the reader or the real world. Consider posing a thoughtful

question, ending with a quote, or giving your reader final food for thought.

You may want to connect your issue to the general conflict between government

regulation and/or public safety versus individual rights and/or personal freedoms.

Name_______________________________

English 1152 Research Paper Evaluation

1. All research materials in folder (note cards, sources, ______/10

drafts, etc.) and electronic copy saved to Inbox

2. Revised, typed outline that matches paper ______/10

3. Content & focus (thesis strength, quality of sources/evidence, ______/100

quality of research and thought, persuasiveness of argument,

use of concession and counterargument, quote analysis, etc.)

SEE ATTACHED RUBRIC FOR DETAILS

4 Organization and Clarity ______/ 50

(intro and conclusion, topic sentences, transitions, clarity of language)

5. Mechanics and Style ______/50

(spelling, punctuation, grammar, sentence structure, formal language)

6. Quotes & citations (quality, format, number (7), appropriateness, integration)______/50

7. Works Cited page and MLA format ______/20

(correct format for 1st page, font, spacing,

Works Cited matches citations and is in correct format)

8. Evaluation of sources for Mrs. Yerkees ______/10

TOTAL __________/300

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY CLAUSE: It is your responsibility to use your sources carefully to avoid plagiarizing. Any evidence of plagiarism including copying and pasting another author’s words (in part or in whole), using another author’s theories or ideas without citing them, or passing off a former student’s paper as your own will result in a 0/300 points on the research paper.

Please sign and date below to accept these terms:

___________________________________________ Date: __________________________

Please refer to the below rubric to see how your research paper will be evaluated for its:

focus, content, organization, clarity, mechanics, and style.

| |45-50 |40-44 |35-39 |0-34 |

| |Excellent |Good |Satisfactory |Needs improvement |

|Focus & Content X 2 = 100 points | | | | |

|Thesis takes a strong stand | | | | |

|Essay includes a strong introduction and conclusion that tie the | | | | |

|essay together | | | | |

|Paragraphs & analysis focus on proving your thesis | | | | |

|Effective evidence from sources used including statistics, quotes, | | | | |

|anecdotes, and examples | | | | |

|Makes ample use of concessions summarizing the opposing viewpoint | | | | |

|Effectively uses counterargument to undermine opposing viewpoint | | | | |

|Employs logical and emotional arguments effectively | | | | |

|Quotes are analyzed for their significance to your thesis | | | | |

|Quality of reasoning and thought is sophisticated | | | | |

|Analysis builds upon information in sources rather than just stating| | | | |

|Organization & Clarity (50 points) | | | | |

|Has a concise introduction with a grabber, roadmap with main points,| | | | |

|and thesis statement | | | | |

|Clear topic sentences for each paragraph | | | | |

|Transitions used artfully to move from one idea to the next | | | | |

|Conclusion summarizes main idea and extends to relate topic to real | | | | |

|world | | | | |

|Language is clear and direct; not wordy or confusing | | | | |

|Mechanics & Style (50 points) | | | | |

|Uses correct spelling | | | | |

|Uses correct grammar and punctuation | | | | |

|Avoids run-ons, fragments, and contractions | | | | |

|Avoids 1st and 2nd person | | | | |

|Varies sentence structure and beginnings to avoid choppiness and | | | | |

|awkwardness | | | | |

|Avoids slang and informal language | | | | |

|Uses MLA format throughout | | | | |

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Reasons to ban steroids

History of steroid use

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