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U.S. National Issues Research PaperEntry Event: Your nation needs your help you are to draw awareness to one specific topic that is close to your heart. Your task is to identify a problem you see in the US government current practices. Driving Question: Can you improve and spark action by addressing a national topic and creating an awareness/activism campaign to broaden awareness and heighten responsibility of our citizens on your issue. Overview: You will pick a topic (of your choice, approved by instructor), conduct research, present your findings and create legislation or a detailed awareness action on your topic. National issues websites What you will need:Three sources—must have and cite each of the following:One magazine, article, or essay (database)One book (may NOT be encyclopedia)One internet (NOT WIKI)Thirty notecardsRough draft outline2-3 pages double spaced (does NOT include MLA heading)Works CitedWhat will be graded:Three source cards—10 pointsThirty notecards—20 pointsTemporary Works Cited page—10 pointsRough Outline —20 pointsRough Draft—50 points plus removal if you don’t have it done!Final Draft-105 points plus removal if you don’t have it done!Getting Started:Thesis statements must prove your point! For example, The American government needs to address racism in our society illuminated by The Black Lives Matter movement. This can be done by creating legislation that holds police officers accountable for police brutality, requires more training by officers and requires police stations to make arrest statistics based on race public knowledge.ORThe U.S. government needs to support legislation increasing the number of solar and wind power plants to create economic growth, to generate environmentally safe energy and to compete with other nations in the advancement of technology.Suggestion: It is a good idea to start out with some questions you would like answered. You may change your ideas once you start researching; however, have a direction you think you are going so you know what to look for when researching.Where to look:Library for books and magazines (vertical file) for magazines (ProQuest or InfoTrak)Public library or DWU may also have additional informationWebsites (stick to edu or org sites since they are more reliable)How to cite on a source card:Owl at Purdue ProQuest and InfoTrak cite the source for you but you need to make sure you are on MLA AND that you correct names and dates.MLA handout will explain how to cite correctly but you must use it!!!!Packet:The attached packet will walk you through the research process. Make sure you look at the information and then ask questions if you can’t find it.1st Step: Source cards and temporary works cited pageAfter you have signed up for a topic, it is time to get started working on your three source cards. When researching in the library, look for your book and magazine sources first, since you can do the internet source at home. While you are sourcing your information, go ahead and copy/paste the information into a word document. This will act as your temporary works cited page. It is accomplishing two steps in one. You will find a quick reference sheet in this packet. DON’T FORGET YOUR SOURCE NUMBER IN THE RIGHT HAND CORNER OF YOUR CARD!!!2nd Step: notecardsPeruse your sources for information that will support your viewpoint. Read the really important chapters to find solid information that supports your thesis. You will want to quote really important experts and brilliantly worded information by using “quotations”. This reminds you that you copied it word for word from the source. Paraphrase long ideas or information you can easily put in your own words. CAUTION: Just because you paraphrase DOES NOT MEAN you don’t have to cite it!A notecard(s) needs the following information:A slugline (two or three words that describe the card’s information)The source number (matched to the source that you received it fromPage numbers (the only notecards that will not have page numbers are websites or Proquest sites)Look below to see the following notecard:Slug linesource number26670010795000New Deal Reforms2FDR’s New Deal promised everyone a job; however, most Whites took over jobs that African Americans currently180975012954000Performed.220Paraphrased informationPage number3RD STEP: Rough Draft OutlineYour sluglines should help organize your paper since they will fall into similar categories. Sort your cards using your sluglines according to the categories. You may have some cards that do not fit into any category. Lay those aside on separate piles. Now, you have the beginnings of a rough draft outline. (You will not use every card because a large part of the paper should be your opinion.) Your computer may want to tell you how to set up an outline. However, make sure you follow the rough draft outline sample. (See next page for sample outline!)4th Step: Writing the research paperNow that you have the rough draft outline finished, the rest will flow easily. The more detailed your rough draft outline will determine how easy it is to write your paper. After every topic sentence, support that idea and lead in to your first point. Then, use a quote or paraphrase idea to support your argument. Finally, after the quote/paraphrase, don’t forget to explain how it proves your topic sentence. Keep going for the rest of the paper. See example below:Sample Outline:I. Cats, like people, exhibit different personalities determined by their breed.A. Maine Coon1. More dog like2. Built for cold weatherB. Siamese1. Temperamental2. Highly intelligentWriting from the sample outline: (bolded sections follow the outline)Cats, like people, exhibit different personalities determined by their breed. Certain indicators in a breed alter the personality of a cat. For example, the Maine Coon cat loves to” play catch, follow their masters from room to room, and even greet them at the door” (Karth 25). As a result of the cat’s playful personality, these cats are known to be closer to their owners than other cats that would prefer more peace and quiet. In addition, the Maine Coon who boasts three different coats of different length hair, a large lion-like mane, extra padded paws, and an uncommonly long tail is built for cold weather (Simpson 12). Because of this extra protection, these cats often accompany their owners outside to assist with chores. Unlike the Maine Coon, the Siamese lacks the loving personality.NameMs. JohnsonEnglish IOctober 25, 2017Creative TitleIntroductionHook: Get the reader's attention – ask a leading question; relay something enticing about the subject in a manner that commands attention. You could start with a related quote, alluring description, or narrative.2-3 Sentences of background:___________________________THESIS: Example: The Black Lives Matter movement affected the debate about racism in the United States through protests on football fields, illuminating issues with police brutality and creating a change in discriminatory policies in employment fields. Body Paragraph 1 (This should be about your first point. Mine would be protests on football fields) ** May want your first paragraph to give historical context first before going into your points in the following paragraphs. Topic sentence-What are you going to prove in this paragraph?Introduce EvidenceSupporting evidence (examples, facts, theories, statistics, quoted authorities, details, reasons, etc.) Need to include in-text citation:Example: “90% of cellphone users said they experienced anxiety when they went a day without their cellphone” (Smith 3). *Remember if you don’t have an author you use the title. (“Cell Phone Use” 3). Explain what this proves. Transition to next ideaBody Paragraph 2 Topic sentenceIntroduce evidenceSupporting evidence (examples, facts, theories, statistics, quoted authorities, details, reasons, etc.) with in-text citationExplain what this proves. Transition to next ideaContinue body paragraphsConclusion: Summarize your thesis and how your evidence supports your points. Re-emphasize your thesis in a fresh way, showing how you have achieved your purpose. You may wish to appeal to the reader to see how you have come to a logical conclusion, or make a memorable final statement.Developing and Using the Topic Outline1. After you have created a two or three level topic outline according to your note cards, remember you may have to do more research if you find you have “holes” in the information you need to make sense of your report.Tips for writing your paper:1. The opening paragraph should introduce the topic and outline what the paper will discuss. If you need to explain technical terms, elaborate on historical occurrences, etc, this would be a great time to prepare the reader.2. The body of the paper might answer questions like these:What impact does your person/topic have?How did your person/topic impact the nation long range?3. Use parenthetical documentation (see next page) for each fact, statistic, quote, opinion of expert source, etc. If an expert holds the opinion, be sure to mention the expert’s name, position, organization, etc. in the body of the paper.4. If your paper has technical terms, the easiest way to handle them is to provide an informal definition when the term first appears.5. Summarize conclusions about your research in a paragraph or two.5th Step: Editing Your Paper for Publication1. Check your paper for over-used words, mechanical errors, spellings.2. Check each paragraph to make sure that only one topic is discussed in each paragraph. Each paragraph should have a clear, interesting topic sentence.3. Edit your paper, eliminating unnecessary words. Good technical writing is crisp and brief. Sentences should be interesting but clear. USE ACTIVE VERBS WHENEVER POSSIBLE.4. Type your paper double spaced, including quotes.When to Use Parenthetical Attribution????When you use a direct quotationWhen you copy a chart, table, or other diagramWhen you summarize a discussion of an issue or even in your own wordsWhen you construct a diagram from data others providedWhen you paraphrase an opinion which you have read rather than reached independentlyWhen you present specific evidence which cannot reasonably be considered common knowledgeWHEN IN DOUBT, CITE THE SOURCE!!!Never take credit for words, statistics, or conclusions, which are not your own.Use the evidence of experts to prove your viewpoint, but also show that you can present conflicting evidence and arrive at your own conclusions.Different ways to cite:Direct quote:For example, the Maine Coon cat loves to ”play catch, follow their masters from room to room, and even greet them at the door” (Karth 25).Paraphrase: In addition, the Maine Coon who boasts three different coats of different length hair, a large lion-like mane, extra padded paws, and an uncommonly long tail is built for cold weather (Simpson 12).Direct quote with author in sentence:Trisha Simpson, president of the American Cat Associations, recalls, “Maine Coons were well established more than a century ago as a hardy, handsome breed of domestic cat, well equipped to survive the hostile New England winters” (12).6th Step: Publishing your paperRecheck rubric to see if you have completed all requirements!Make sure you have inserted the header with page numbers at the beginning of your paper to the works cited page. Do they contain the correct pagination? Make sure your title appears the same on both final draft outline and first page of paper. Is it original and reveals content?Do you have the correct MLA formatting on the left-hand side?Your nameTeacher’s nameClass nameCurrent dateFinal Paper submitted to (Yes, No)Research Paper Rubric____ Final Requirements (5)Rubric is stapled on top, followed by:Final draft + Works CitedRough draftPeer Critique sheet (filled out completely!)Rough Outline_____Header done correctly (2)Last name & page number_____MLA done correctly (3)_____Thesis statement (10)Strongly developed; not being verbsCovers three points of paper_____Content (50)Introduction: captures attention, states purposeBody: Main points fully developed with facts, reasons, examples, etc. Clearly explains impact rather than reports on life/issue Opinion is clearly stated with detailed supportConclusion: brief summary, returns to main point, thesis restated differently____ Organization & structure (10)Clear, well-constructed sentences & Clear, logical organization Transitions appear in the beginning as well as in the paragraph____ Presentation (5)Great spelling, grammar, formal language, and punctuation_____Parenthetical attributions (10) Cited correctly Last name and page number “ (Baum 247)._____ Works Cited (10) Alphabetized list Correct form Minimum number of sources including 1 book, 1 website, 1 article_____/105 Total pointsDEADLINES to RememberDateAssignment DueCheck if DoneDue___________3 Topic Persuasive Paragraphs__________Due___________3 source cards__________Due___________Temporary works cited page__________Due___________Rough outline__________Due___________Rough draft research paper__________Due___________Final draft research paper__________*It can be overwhelming to look at the big picture in one glance. Concentrate on the little steps, one at a time, and have no fear!Procrastination is one of the most common and deadliest of diseases and its toll on success and happiness is heavy. Wayne GretzkyProcrastination makes easy things hard, hard things harder. Mason Cooley ................
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