Name: ______Date: ______

US II: Research Paper – 4th MP Project

Prompt:

Topics will be chosen randomly and finalized within one day. Your task will be toprove that your topic changed the course of American history. What were the immediate and far-reaching impacts of your topic? Depending upon your topic, you may need to include both domestic and foreign impact.

Process:

  1. You must have a pocket folder devoted to this project only. FOLDER WITH ALL PARTS OF THE PROJECT MUST BE HANDED IN EVERY TIME SOMETHING IS DUE.
  2. Each part of the process will be collected and evaluated in the folder. Points will be assigned for each part based on quality of completion. These points will count as homework assignments.
  3. The Final Draft of this paper will count as a grade in the fourth marking period, as well.

Process Dates:

HW points will equal 80 pts.

Final Paper will equal 100 pts.

Part I- Due Thursday March 21- Responsible Wiki/Encyclopedia Research Chart–these resources will only be used for background reading and cannot be usedas one of your four paper resources (10 points).

Part II- Due Thursday April 4 (A)– Research, Works Cited (IN YOUR FOLDER)

Research can be in the form of bullet notes. Make sure it is clear which notes go with each source. It can also take the form of printed research that is highlighted and annotated. A properly formatted MLA WORKS CITED PAGE should be attached, All 4 sources are due. (15 points)

Part III- Due Thursday April 18 (A) -COMPLETED RESEARCH WORKSHEET/OUTLINE (IN YOUR FOLDER) (30 points)

Part IV – Due Wednesday April 24 (A)) – Intro paragraph - This should be in proper MLA format and we will edit during class. Your thesis statement should be the last sentence of this paragraph (10 points)

Part V- Due Thursday May 2 (A) - ROUGH DRAFT (IN YOUR FOLDER)–Your draft must include all of the elements of the research paper (intro, body, conclusion). Paper should be approximately 2-3 pages in length by this time. Draft should have proper MLA formatting. There should be in-text citations in your draft and a works cited.We will edit during class. (15 points)

Part VI- Wednesday May 8 (A))- FINAL COPY (IN YOUR FOLDER) –You must include in your folder: Responsible Wiki Worksheet, Research Worksheet, Highlighted and Annotated Research print-outs/notes, Rubric, Rough Draft, Peer Editing Worksheet, Final Copy (3-4 pages),and include properly formatted MLA works cited.

Research:

-Researchand worksheets must be held in your folder

-You must have at least 4 credible sources.

-Recommended locations to acquire credible sources: Media Center, Public Library, Media Center databases, approved and credible websites (see list below)

  • Wikipedia, abc-clio and Facts on File article- that article is only to be used for background reading or for targeting other sources. DO NOT CITE WIKIPEDIA, ABC-CLIO, or FACTS ON FILE
  • Consider answers.com, sparknotes.com, 123helpme.com, bignerds.com, wikianswers.com, thinkquest.org and other encyclopedia sites as the equivalent of Wikipedia. DO NOT CITE!
  • Look for sites that end in “.edu” or “.gov”
  • Refer to the list below for suggestions on credible and acceptable history sites.
  • Presidential library sites
  • For writing:
  • If you are unsure about the credibility of a site, ASK!

Writing the Paper:

Intro Thesis includes ways in which your topic had a positive and/or negative immediate and long-term impact on American History, politically, socially, economically, etc. (At least ½ page-double-spaced)

Body

ParagraphsWrite persuasively and give in-depth analysis using specific, detailed examples of how your topic impacted American History (approximately 2-3 pages double-spaced)

Conclusion Conclude by restating your thesis and summarizing your specific examples (At least ½ page-double-spaced)

Writing Tips/Things to Consider:

  1. No first or second person should be used (No “I”, “we”, “our”, “you” etc.)
  2. Spelling, capitalization, and punctuation all contribute to your final grade.
  3. When speaking of the past, use the PAST TENSE, only use present tense if you are referencing a current situation.
  4. DO NOT ask questions in your essay. DO NOT hypothesize either.
  5. MLA format should be used (heading, 12 pt font, Times New Roman, proper citations, double spaced, etc.)
  6. I will NOT accept papers EMAILED to us. COMPUTER OR PRINTER PROBLEMS ARE NOT AN EXCUSE.

Citations:

  1. Any direct quote or author’s original idea that you paraphraseshould be cited. If you don’t know if it should be cited- ASK!!!!
  2. Quotes should never be longer than four lines (pick the most important pieces!)
  3. Your essay must include in-text citations AND a separate Works Cited page

**If you do not cite as directed, then it is considered plagiarism.**