Thesis-Based Research Paper Guide

Name: ______

Miss Jordan

English Essentials – Period _____

Date: ______

Thesis-Based Research Paper Guide

Bring your work folders to class every day. A significant amount of class time during October will be allotted to teaching the skills necessary for writing an effective research paper.

It is important to understand that it is IMPOSSIBLE for a student to complete a quality research paper by using class time only; therefore, students will need to create their own work schedule to be sure that all requirements are met.

The Assignment

5 – 7 page thesis-based research paper on the topic of your choice.
The Works Cited page does NOT count as part of the 5 – 7 pages of your paper.
The paper must be typed and double-spaced.
Contain in-text parenthetical citations.
Contain a complete Works Cited page.
You must use a minimum of SEVENprimary sources that are “PRO” your stance on your topic.
You must use a minimum of THREE primary sources that are “CON” your stance on your topic.
You must use at least ONE book source, which can be either “PRO” or “CON”.
When you are finished with your research, you should have TEN sources.
See rubric for additional requirements.

Helpful Hints

Be meticulous in saving the bibliographic information of every source you read when preparing your paper. You will need this information when you create your works cited page.
Plagiarism is illegal. If you cut and paste information into your paper without giving appropriate credit, your paper will automatically fail. Also, be aware that changing a word or two in someone else’s statement is also plagiarism. If the idea is not yours, take it only if you give the author credit.
It is recommended that you use a flash drive to save material. Please do not come in and explain how everything was deleted the day before it was due or that your printer ran out of ink.
Be aware of approaching due dates for each element associated with your research paper. A calendar has been provided for you, please utilize it! “I forgot,” “You never told me that…,” “I was out of paper/ink,” or “It wouldn’t save” are unacceptable! Should you miss a deadline, you will receive a zero (0) for that portion of the research paper.

October 2009
Sun / Mon / Tues / Wed / Thu / Fri / Sat
1 / 2 / 3
4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10
11 / 12
NO
SCHOOL / 13 / 14 / 15 / 16 / 17
18 / 19
Examine Example Paper / 20
Distribute Research Folders
Discovering a Topic for Research / 21
Ms. Gravelle Presentation: Resources Available, Evaluating Them & MLA
Effective Note-Taking / 22
Writing a Statement of Controlling Purpose
Research
COMPUTER LAB / 23
Statement of Controlling Purpose Due
Research
COMPUTER LAB / 24
25 / 26
Research
COMPUTER LAB / 27
Research
COMPUTER LAB / 28
Research
Five Annotated Bibliographies Due
COMPUTER LAB / 29
Research in Library
LIBRARY / 30
Research in Library
Seven Annotated Bibliographies Due
LIBRARY / 31
November 2009
Sun / Mon / Tues / Wed / Thu / Fri / Sat
1 / 2
Research
COMPUTER LAB / 3
Research
Ten Annotated Bibliographies Due
COMPUTER LAB / 4
Organizing Your Material
Formulate Thesis Statement
Topic Outline / 5
Outlines Due
Introductions / 6
Introduction Due
Composing Body w/ In-Text Citations / 7
8 / 9
Paper Development Day / 10
Paper Development Day / 11
NO
SCHOOL / 12
3-4 Pages of Paper Due
Writing the Conclusion / 13
Paper Development Day / 14
15 / 16
Conclusion Due
Rough Draft Due / 17
Meet Individually w/ Miss Jordan
Revise Your Research Paper / 18
Meet Individually w/ Miss Jordan
Revise Your Research Paper / 19
Peer Revision w/ Revision Checklist / 20
Revision Checklist Due
Revise Your Research Paper / 21
22 / 23
Works Cited Development Day / 24
Works Cited Development Day / 25
NO
SCHOOL / 26
NO
SCHOOL / 27
NO
SCHOOL / 28
29 / 30
Works Cited Page Due
Completing Your Research Paper
December 2009
Sun / Mon / Tues / Wed / Thu / Fri / Sat
1
Proofreading Your Research Paper / 2
Proofreading Checklist Due
Final Polish to Research Paper / 3
RESEARCH PAPER & FOLDER DUE / 4 / 5
6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12
13 / 14 / 15 / 16 / 17 / 18 / 19
20 / 21 / 22 / 23 / 24
NO
SCHOOL / 25
NO
SCHOOL / 26
27 / 28
NO
SCHOOL / 29
NO
SCHOOL / 30
NO
SCHOOL / 31
NO
SCHOOL

Thesis-Based Research Paper Rubric

Assignment / Due Date / Points / Points
Earned / Teacher’s
Initials
Statement of Controlling Purpose / Fri., Oct. 23rd / 15
5Annotated Bibliographies / Wed., Oct. 28th / 50
7Annotated Bibliographies / Fri., Oct. 30th / 70
10Annotated Bibliographies / Tues., Nov. 3rd / 100
Thesis Statement / Wed., Nov. 4th / 30
Paper Outline / Thurs., Nov. 5th / 35
Introduction / Fri., Nov. 6th / 15
3-4 Pages of Paper / Thurs., Nov. 12th / 70
Conclusion / Mon., Nov. 16th / 15
Rough Draft / Mon., Nov. 16th / 100
Conference w/ Jordan / Wed., Nov. 18th / 50
Revision Checklist / Fri., Nov. 20th / 20
Works Cited Page / Mon., Nov. 30th / 20
Proofreading Checklist / Wed., Dec. 2nd / 20
Final Draft Folder / Thurs., Dec. 3rd / 100
Prep-Work Total / / 700
Final Draft of Paper / Thurs., Dec. 3rd / 600
Paper Total / / 600

Rubric for Final Draft of Paper

Requirements / Total Possible Points / Points Earned
Introductory Paragraph

Strong thesis statement – 15 points
Captures reader’s attention – 15 points

/ 30
Body Paragraphs

Flows in coherent manner (sequence makes sense) – 10 points
Research utilized supports thesis – 10 points
Transitions are used correctly – 10 points

/ 30
Conclusion

Restatement of thesis – 5 points
Summary of major points – 5 points
Ends strong (leaves a lasting impression upon reader) – 10 points

/ 20
Basic Requirements

Length (5-7 pgs.) – 15 points
Font & size – 4 points
Correct paper format (spacing, heading, page numbers) – 6 points
Proper mechanics (grammar, spelling) – 15 points

/ 40
In-Text Citations

Correct form – 10 points
Correct application – 15 points

/ 25
Works Cited

Correct form – 10 points
Alphabetized – 4 points
Correct spacing – 6 points

/ 20
Purpose

Paper does not merely rehash subject, but rather there is an argument/opinion that is proven – 20 points
Stays constant and focused – 15 points

/ 35
Total / 200