Name:______Final Paper Due : March 2, 2012
Research Paper & Senior Project Directions, Timeline & Rubric
DIRECTIONS: Read information and fill out a Frame. A Frame will be used to write a rough draft. The rough draft, Frame and rubric will be turned in with the final copy and stapled together on Friday, March 2, 2012. Follow the directions and the timeline below carefully. It is set up to make the process easy for you. Mrs. Theroux, Mrs. Crowther, and I will be available to help you throughout the research and writing process. As we progress, it is important for you to follow this direction sheet and others you will receive because it is your responsibility to follow the timeline and turn in a product each day for credit. While you are encouraged to work at home, only products given to me on the due date will receive credit. Because ample time is given during class, statements like, “I finished it at home and can bring it tomorrow,” are not accepted. EVERYONE is expected to be productive while in the library or when given class time. If you have completed the task that is due for the day, you are expected to independently move on to the next (see other side). If you did it at home and forgot it there, you are expected to repeat your efforts in order for it to be finished on time and turned in that day.
□Monday 02/27/12 Read the information from the three sources. As you read each section carefully, highlight important information and write notes and/or questions in the margins. Reread and write down information on the Frame under which category it belongs, which will later be used to help you organize your thoughts when writing. Turn in a Frame by the end of the period for a quiz grade.
□Tuesday 02/28/12 Your Frame will be returned with feedback to you today. Finish completing it and begin to use it to construct a research paper/Senior Project including an introduction (summarizing main points), body paragraphs and a conclusion paragraph. If you do not finish in class, you are expected to complete the Frame at home or afterschool. Be sure to save all materials to your Z drive and a flash drive, AND email it to yourself as a back-up,
□Wednesday 02/29/12 Today, everyone begins to write a draft. A brief overview will be given of how to write an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. For homework, continue writing your rough draft and begin typing if you are able. Only a handwritten draft is due tomorrow, but typed is accepted. Again, be sure to save all materials to your Z drive AND email it to yourself as a back up, unless you have a flash drive.
□Thursday 03/01/12 Turn in a handwritten or typed draft of a 5 paragraph essay for a homework grade. Include an introduction (summarizing main points), 3 body paragraphs (3 connections) and a conclusion paragraph (evaluating the article). If you have not already, finish typing your draft at home or in the library. Again, Be sure to save all materials to your Z drive AND email it to yourself as a back up, unless you have a flash drive. Print an additional copy and bring to class tomorrow.
□Friday 03/02//12 Time will be given during class to type and revise your paper which is due at the end of the period. The rough draft, Frame and rubric will be turned in with the final copy and stapled together.
Senior Project Research Paper Criteria & Rubric
What to Include in Your Research Paper – at least 4 pages
On Thursday 03/01/12, a 4-page rough draft is due. Use the information below to help you as you organize your research into cohesive paragraphs.
Introduction Paragraph: The introduction gives the purpose, scope, and background of your paper. The purpose is given in your thesis statement. The background consists of any facts, definitions, history, or theory needed to understand your topic and what comes next in your paper. The scope indicates the amount of “ground” you will cover—it will help the reader understand what you will and will not cover.
· Topic Sentence
· Detail Sentences
· Thesis Statement
o Often the last sentence in the Introductory paragraph, but it does not have to be last
o Can sometimes be 2 sentences
Body Paragraphs: Body paragraphs primarily present ideas, facts, examples and evidence. There are many other things authors do with body paragraphs and sentences, but in research papers, often we:
· break down large chunks of information into smaller parts, or main ideas
o take main ideas and dive into subtopics or details that need to be covered
· define new terms
· explain concepts
· give background information not contained in the introduction
· raise new questions
· describe alternatives to your view or process
· summarize
· draw other conclusions not contained in your final conclusion
Conclusion: Drawing conclusions are the main goal of writing your report. For readers, the conclusion often becomes the focal point of your report and is the part that readers read to understand its meaning. The conclusion of a research report is usually a very short section that does NOT introduce new ideas. You may ask, then, “Why include conclusions?” The conclusion is important because it is your last chance to convey the significance and meaning of your research by concisely summarizing your findings and generalizing their importance. State your conclusions clearly. Use phrases like “This research demonstrates . . .” or “this project shows…” to present your conclusions, and use phrases like “This research suggests . . .” to discuss less clear implications. You can use phrases such as “Under the following circumstances,” “In most instances,” or “In these specific cases” to warn readers that they should not generalize your conclusions. If you find that you need to include a recommendations section you have another opportunity to demonstrate how your research fits within the larger project of science, and the section can serve as a starting point for future dialogue on the subject. It demonstrates that you fully understand the importance and implications of your research, as you suggest ways that it could continue to be developed. Your Conclusion needs to be based on the evidence you present in the body of your report. When writing your Conclusion, consider these points:
1. Keep your Conclusion relatively short (usually one or two paragraphs)
2. Keep the level of technicality relatively low
3. Emphasize what the report means by interpreting the overall meaning of your results. Explain the inferences you want readers to draw from your report. Do NOT add new details.
4. Do NOT merely summarize the report
Senior Project Research Paper RubricWhat You Need & The Points Each is Worth / How You Scored
Format (10 Points)
o Page Numbers
o 12 point, Times New Roman/Arial font, double-spaced
o 1” margins on all sides of each page
o Heading double-spaced in the upper LEFT corner: Your name, Teacher’s Name, Class Name, Date
o Title centered on page one after the heading- no underlines, italics or quotation marks
o Header on every page (not the same as the heading) in the upper right corner-- last name, space, page number
o Correct page length -4 pages
o A properly formatted Works Cited page
o In text citations for every piece of information used from another source / Format Score: ______/10 Points
· 10 Format is correct
· 7 Minor formatting error/s
· 5 Formatting errors
· 0 Minimal or no attempt
Writing Conventions (20 Points)
· Spelling
· Punctuation
· Grammar
· Sentence Structure
· Verb Usage, etc. / Writing Conventions Score: ______/20 Points
· 20 Few errors
· 15 Errors do not interfere with communication
· 10 Errors interfere somewhat with communication
· 0-5 Errors interfere strongly with communication
Content (70 points)
· Ideas
· Facts
· Examples
· Organization / Content Score: ______/70 Points
Introduction
· Topic sentence
· Detail sentences summarizing main ideas presented in research paper
· Thesis Statement
Body Paragraphs
· Each body paragraph has a topic sentence with detail sentences to support
· Each presents ideas, facts, examples and evidence
Conclusion
· What did you learn that you previously did not know?
· What surprised you about this topic?
· What recommendations can you offer (if appropriate)?
· What more would you like to learn about this topic?
Teacher Comments: / Grade Total: ______/100 Points