English 12 Research Paper-Persuasive



English 12 Research Paper-Persuasive

Topic

Choose a topic of local and recent (within the last 10 years) interest that contains some controversy or difference of opinion and decide on a point of view to defend. Write a 6-8 page argument/persuasive research paper presenting, supporting, and defending your claim.

You will need to research the topic thoroughly, and find evidence from a variety of sources to back up your opinion. Because of the current nature of this assignment, many of your sources will be hard sources such as newspapers, pamphlets, periodicals, as well as personal interviews. This will make it critical for you to get an early start and request information from people, departments, and agencies where the information is located. Unlike your 11th grade informative research paper, this paper will focus on your opinions and your writing, with reliable quoted sources to support them.

Timeline and Checkpoints

Week 1: Select Topics, Research Topics, write purpose statement, compile working bibliography, begin writing source cards and note cards. *Topic, purpose statement due Friday, Week 1

Note: All topics need to be approved by Mr. Kirsten. I suggest that you do this as early as possible so that you do not do too much unnecessary work. Topic changes need to be approved by Mr. Kirsten as well, and will not be granted after we begin the research.

Week 2:

Research topic, create source cards and note cards, begin creating working outline.

*20 note cards, 5 source cards (a minimum of 2 hard sources) due Friday, Week 2

Week #3:

Research topic, create source cards and note cards, write outline.

*40 note cards, 7 source cards (a minimum of 2 hard sources and 1 primary or interview source) due Monday of Week 3. Rough outline due Tuesday of Week 3.

Week #4: Write final outline, write rough draft, list of works cited, and final draft.

*Final outline due Monday of Week 4

*Typed Rough draft due Thursday of Week 4

The final paper is due Monday, December 5 by 3:00 pm. No late papers will be accepted.

If you are absent on any of the due dates, make arrangement to have your work brought to school and turned in to me. All assignments must be typed. No late work will be accepted.

Requirements

• All papers need to be completed using MLA format. Consult the MLA handout for details. 12pt Times New Roman is required.

• Papers need to be 6-8 typed pages in length.

• A list of works cited will be included at the end of your paper.

• An envelope, containing all of your source and note cards, your outline, your rough draft, and your final draft must be turned in. Also, an electronic copy in Microsoft Word must be submitted to the Kirsten folder by 3pm on the due date. The file name of your electronically submitted paper should be your first and last name followed by your topic. (fredjones-schoolbudget) Your outline, paper, and works cited should be submitted as one document, in a single file.

Tips

• Get an early start and don’t procrastinate!

• Choose a topic that interests you or you will hate this!

• Be organized. Get a manila envelope to keep all of your work in progress.

• Use 3x5 note cards, they’re easier to handle and they will keep you from using page-long quotes.

• Write down your source information as you research. It’s much easier than going back to complete it later. Write down where you got your sources from on the bottom of each card if you are using multiple libraries.

• Use your class time wisely because there will not be a lot of it. Remember, you are being graded on your in-class work as well. We will spend 2-3 days per week working on the research paper in class.

• Take very careful notes. Quotes must be the author’s exact words.

• Follow the timeline and get all of your work turned in on the checkpoint days. This is also part of your grade for this paper. Using this process for writing a research paper will help you organize yourself in the future. In college, you can decide what works best for you, but for now, stick to the process here.

• Use the MLA handout(K-Web). All the formatting and citing sources information you need to complete the paper is in this booklet. Look it up first before asking Mr. Kirsten.

• Evaluate your sources before using them. Make sure they are accurate, reliable, up to date, and trustworthy.

• Don’t even think about plagiarizing any part of your paper. It will result in an automatic 0 for your grade.

Grading

Checkpoint 1- Topic, Purpose Statement 20pts.

Checkpoint 2- 20 Note Cards, 5 Source Cards 20pts.

Checkpoint 3- 40 Note Cards, 7 Source Cards 20pts.

Checkpoint 4- Outline 20pts.

Checkpoint 5- Rough Draft 20pts.

Final Paper 200pts.

Total 300pts. (Approx. 25% of Quarter Grade)

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download