AP English 12 Research Paper-Persuasive
Topic
Choose an environmental issue inspired by or relating to what we have/will read in this unit of recent (within the last 10 years) interest and preferably local 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, perhaps, 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. This is also an opportunity to utilize the Toulmin Model and what we have discussed about rhetorical strategies to make a claim and defend it with credible sources as evidence.
Timeline and Checkpoints
Week #1: Research Topics, write purpose statement, compile working bibliography, begin writing source cards and note cards. *Topic, purpose statement due Tuesday
Research topic, take notes, begin creating working outline.
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, take notes, write outline, begin writing paper
Outline due Wednesday.
Week #3:
Write rough draft, list of works cited, and final draft.
*Typed Rough draft due Tuesday
The final paper is due Wednesday, January 18 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 or email me your work at . 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.
· 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-deforestation) 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- Thesis 20pts.
Checkpoint 3- Intro Paragraph 20pts.
Checkpoint 2- Outline 20pts.
Checkpoint 3- Rough Draft 20pts.
Final Paper 200pts.
Total 300 pts.