Senior Research Project

Mrs. Thornton

Your research paper will be considered an argumentative paper. Your specific topic of research will be selected from a provided list. Each topic on the list is considered a controversial issue in today’s society. Your purpose in this paper is to select a stance on the controversial topic and support your stance through thorough research and persuasive writing.

The entire research project will be worth four major test grades (400 pts). Two test grades for preliminary work (200 pts), and two test grades for the final paper (200 pts).

You will need:

  1. White lined index cards – 3x5 (about 20)
  2. White lined index cards – 4x6 (a whole pack)
  3. Folder with clasp
  4. Ziplock bag for index cards (rubber band will be acceptable)

Preliminary Work (two 100 point test grades):

All preliminary work will be completed at school under the teacher’s supervision. Research materials cannot be taken home unless approved by me. If you disregard this, you will receive a zero on all work completed at that point.

Preliminary work begins with choosing a topic, generating questions about your topic, and finding reference sources.

After appropriate sources are located, students will work to complete source cards, note cards, a rough outline, and a rough draft, including a works cited page. The rough draft will be written in class and can only be taken home once I have reviewed it and stamped it.

Your preliminary work grade will be calculated as follows:

1.  Research supply packet (20 pts): Folder, 3x5 index cards, 4x6 index cards, Ziploc bag / rubber band, signed parent form.

2.  Source cards (20 pts): Seven source cards: each 3x5 index card must have bibliography information in MLA format. Sources must include at least one print (book, non-AVL periodical or magazine) and two AVL sources. No general encyclopedias or web sites may be used.

3.  Note cards (20 pts): Thirty-five note cards: Notes must be paraphrased on 4x6 index cards. You may not write in complete sentences unless copying a direct quote. No more than seven note cards can be direct quotes. Each note card must have a subject heading and source information (author’s last name and page number). Rough outline (20 pts): Rough outline must follow guidelines given in research guide.

4.  Rough outline and thesis statement (20 pts)

5.  Rough draft and works cited page (20 pts): As stated above, the rough draft must be completed in class. It should contain all information that will be presented in the final paper, including in text citations and the works cited page. If you fail to turn in a rough draft, you fail the final paper. I will not grade a final paper without prior rough-draft submission.

Final Paper (two 100 point test grades):

Guidelines:

  1. Each student will complete a formal research paper. The page requirement is four to six typed pages of writing (body), as well as a formal outline and works cited page. Therefore, you should have a total of eight to ten pages.
  2. The paper must be typed and documented according to MLA standards (Times New Roman, 12 pt font, 1 inch margins, double spaced, MLA heading, header, and in-text citations).
  3. The paper must have a thesis statement. The thesis statement will be the last sentence in your first full paragraph.
  4. All work must meet English grammar and punctuation standards. Sentence structure is a basic skill; therefore, each fragment, comma splice, or run-on will result in a five to ten point deduction from the final paper grade.
  5. At least six reference sources used during the preliminary work must be documented in the paper.
  6. You may use no more than four direct quotes; these quotes can be no longer than three lines each. All other material must be paraphrased
  7. The final paper must have only grammatical and other minor corrections from the stamped rough draft. The final paper must closely resemble the rough draft. Any changes must be made on the rough draft before appearing on the final draft. I must be able to see the process, and I determine paper resemblance.
  8. The final paper will be typed. It is your responsibility to find the time and a computer with printer on which to type your paper. You are also still responsible for turning your paper in on the assigned date! A broken computer / printer will not be a viable excuse for a late paper or extension.
  9. All research materials will be submitted with the final paper, in the folder, including the following: source cards, note cards, rough outline, rough works cited page, rough draft, and a highlighted print-out of all printed sources used in paper. If any of these materials are not turned in with your final paper, you will receive a grade of zero for your final paper. No exceptions.

** Failure to follow any of these guidelines will result in a zero on all or part of the research project.

**Plagiarism will result in a grade of zero. MAKE SURE TO DOCUMENT YOUR PAPER

CORRECTLY!!!!!!! Inadvertent plagiarism will result in a minimum ten point deduction.

It is extremely important that students do not miss days during the project. Students who are absent during the research process will not receive extensions unless prior approval is gained from Mr. Rodgers or Mrs. Thornton. If a student is absent during the project, he or she must make-up the work before or after school. Work cannot be completed outside of class. The library is open Monday – Thursday 7:15 – 4:00 and Friday 7:15 – 3:30.

The final essay is considered late after the first fifteen minutes of class on the due date. Late essays will be penalized 10 percent of the total point worth – 20 points for each day late. Late essays will not be accepted after 3:30 of the second class day following the due date.

DUE DATE: ______

Last day a paper will be accepted: ______

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I understand the importance of and the guidelines regarding the Senior Research Project.

Parent Signature: ______