The Research Paper Process Text Version

7/31/2019 The Research Paper Process Text Version

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The Research Paper Process Text Version

Welcome to the Research paper!

Did that term make your stomach sink or did you feel like clicking to the next assessment?Relax and take your hand off of the mouse for a minute! Research papers have struck fear into

the hearts of students for too long! They really are not so daunting if you understand that the

purpose of the paper is take a position and use evidence to prove your point - you do that allthe time when convincing your parents and friends! A research paper is not an overwhelming

task if you break it into easy and manageable steps - which is what I am here to help you do.

First, you'll want to think about your topic. What would you like to explore in the novel To

Kill a Mockingbird? I have a few suggestions listed below, but you are welcome to make aproposal to your teacher as long as your idea focuses on To Kill a Mockingbird.

Once you have chosen a topic, it's time to see what other people have to say on the idea. You

can conduct your research using books, magazines, or reliable websites. As you research, you

will take notes that you will be able to use to help you support your analysis. We'll show youhow take notes and how to use that research in your writing. You will also learn how to

correctly cite your sources and how to avoid plagiarism.

Next you will develop your thesis statement which will make outlining your paper a breeze!

Once you have your outline, you will be ready to write the first draft of your paper. Wait aminute! Did that make you feel overwhelmed? It shouldn't! By this time, you will have

already done most of the hard work and you will have received detailed feedback from your

teacher on each phase of the writing process. Writing will simply involve connecting youranalysis to what the experts from your research had to say on your topic. You will then learn

how to revise for the best possible draft.

I am convinced that you are going to learn a great deal and that your research paper will be an

assignment that will bring great satisfaction and pride!


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The Research Paper Process Text Version

1. Contemplate the novel and choose a topic.

2. Conduct research. At library of Congress or edu and org sites. Do not use Wikipedia.

a. Take notesparaphrase when you take direct quotes and use them in your own

words.

b. Create source cards

3. Create your thesis statement.

4. Write an outline.

a. Decide how to use your research.

5. Write a first draft.

a. Get your ideas down and cite your sources correctly.

b. Get adult feedback.

6. Revise for the best possible draft.

Gathering and Using Evidence Text Version

Gathering Evidence

Text: When finding resources for your research, it is important to keep a few things in mind.

Your sources should be reputable and academic. This is especially important for online

resources. Sites that end in .gov or .edu will have information that is accurate, complete, andlegitimate. Avoid using .com sites and Wikipedia for your research; anyone can publish

information on these sites, and the information is not always accurate or complete. As a

researcher, you have to examine your source to make sure it is credible. In a published sourcelike a book, the publisher has already done this for you, but no one does this for .com sites or

wikis. By using .gov or .edu sites, you can avoid being misinformed. You should also make

sure the sources that you use are current as outdated material can skew your ideas about a

subject. Including a variety of sources, both electronic and printed, will ensure that any biasedinformation is balanced and does not affect your analysis of the subject.

Sources to Consider

Text: Here are a few suggestions to help you begin your research. Please use these sites only

as a starting point. This assignment asks you to use a minimum of 2 sources. Although


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websites are listed here, books and magazine articles are also excellent sources. To locate

books or magazine articles, you can search your library catalog or database. Remember, the

best research will be varied.

Harper Lees Life Scottsboro Trials

Gender Issues

Civil Rights Movement

The Library of Congress is a fantastic resource for historical and literary research.

Taking Organized Notes

Text: Once you have selected your sources of information, it is time to take notes. It is

important to use an organized system for taking notes and keeping track of your sources. The

first thing you should do once you have your book or printed pages in front of you is create asource card. The information you need for a print source such as a book or magazine article is

listed on the left; you will need to record the author, the title, publisher, date of publication, as

well as the page numbers. The source number gives you a shorthand way to label your notesso that you will know from which source each bit of information came. The information you

need for an electronic source is listed to the right. As you can see, you need much more than

the website address. You will need to record the author, if one is mentioned, the title of the

article, the title of the site, the date you accessed it, as well as the URL. You will need thisimportant information to accurately document your facts in your paper and on your Works

Cited Page.

Taking Organized Notes (2)

Text: When taking notes, only record details that are important and pertain to your topic. Youcan record the information from the source in three ways: a direct quote, a paraphrase, or a

summary. As you begin to take notes, you should identify if what you are recording is a

paraphrase, which takes a specific passage and restates it using your own words, a directquote, which records the information exactly as it is in the original source, or a summary,

which records the main idea in general. All of these uses of information require citation. It is

crucial to make note of what type of information you are writing down as you go because it

might be days or more before you begin writing. By then, you will have long forgottenwhether that sentence was a direct quote or if it was a paraphrase or summary. The next thing

to think about is where or how you plan to use this information in your paper; by keeping thisin mind you can avoid taking notes on information that does not help you prove or supportyour point.

Sample Note Card

Text: On this example, you can see that it was my first source and that it is a paraphrase. You

can also see that I am going to use that information in my second paragraph to help me prove
http://www.harperlee.com/bio.htmhttp://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scottsboro/scottsb.htmhttp://library.thinkquest.org/12111/girl.htmlhttp://www.loc.gov/exhibits/civilrights/http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scottsboro/scottsb.htmhttp://library.thinkquest.org/12111/girl.htmlhttp://www.loc.gov/exhibits/civilrights/http://www.harperlee.com/bio.htm


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my point about the authors personal experiences shaping his works. On this card, I have all

of the information that I will need to use and cite the paraphrase correctly.

Including Research in Your Paper

Text: Once you have credible research to support your analysis and you have created yoursource and note cards, it will be time to include your research in your paper. Avoid just

sticking the quote in with other facts; always introduce and explain your research. You can

do this in several ways: you can tag the quote, connect it with an explanation, or embed key

words or phrases from the quote. I will show you examples on the next slide. A good writerwill use all of these methods to create variety in his paper.

Sample Uses of Quotations

Text: For this sample, the direct quote is provided at the top of the screen. Tagging the quote

usually involves mentioning the source or author. According to, Dr. King explains,Hughes states, are all examples of tags. When you connect a quote with an explanation, you

will still use most of the quote, but you will tie it to your point.

Sample Uses of Quotations (2)

Text: Embedding a quote involves choosing a key word or phrase and using it in your own

point. More advanced writers use the last two methods regularly in their writing.

Things to Remember When Gathering Evidence

Text: When you have completed the note-taking part of the research process, analyze yourinformation for an idea that can be proven by the evidence that you have. You will be able to

formulate your thesis statement based on the research that you have done. In the end, well-organized notes will help you create a focused and well-documented research paper that you

will be proud of. Before accessing the assessment for 6.02B, you should:

Know your topic.

Have one reliable source.

Complete one source card.

Complete one note card that uses a direct quote that is either embedded or connected

with an explanation Know how to use quotations.

Know the difference between paraphrase, summary, and direct quote.

Practice:

1. _Wikepedia________is not a reliable source because it is created by individuals and


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their information is not always accurate.

2. _Libray of Congress________ is a great source for historical and literary research.

3. .gov or _edu_____ sites are credible sources for online research.

4. Before taking notes, I should create _source entry________________.

5. What type of quote takes information for a source and records it exactly? Direct quote

6. What is it called when you take a specific quote and restate it using your own words?

A paraphrase

7. What is it called when you take the general of idea of a passage and use no words

from the original text? A summary

8. Hemingway once explained, "All American novels come from one great novel"(Smith *). What type of quote is this an example of? Tagged quote

9. The "great novel" Hemingway referred to is The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

(Smith 8). What type of quote is this an example of? Embedded quote

10. When Hemingway said, "All American novels come from one great novel," he paid aprofound compliment to Mark Twain (Smith 8). What type of quote is this an example

of? A connected quote


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Developing Your Thesis Statement Text

Version

Developing Your Position

Once you have chosen your topic and done preliminary research, you should be ready

to take a position. Your thesis statement should be one, unified sentence that clearly

states the focus and purpose of your paper. Some people think of the thesis statement asan essay map; it tells your audience exactly where you are going and why you are going

there. It gives you a clear plan for writing.

An excellent thesis statement is essentially a one-sentence answer to the prompt or

essay question. It usually is located at the end of your introductory paragraph. This one

sentence should answer the what?, how? Or why? And so what? of your topic orposition. The so what? sounds harsh, but really it is meant to make the writer

consider the significance of her topic and gives her writing purpose.

One Sentence Can Do All of That?

Can one sentence really do all of that? Yes! As you can see in the example provided, itis possible to answer the question clearly and concisely while establishing a purpose for

writing. From this one sentence, I know the two poems that the writer will discuss, I

know that he will talk about how Langston Hughes uses his personal experiences ineach poem, and finally, I know that all the writer is going to prove that the significance

or purpose of the poems is to chastise injustices and convey hope. From this example,you can see how writing an outline and organizing the essay will be easy. More thanlikely, this writer would have two body paragraphs, one for each poem, and in each

one, he would discuss how personal experiences in each poem are used to chastise

injustices and convey hope.

Thesis Statement Pitfalls

Now that you know the characteristics and purpose of an excellent thesis statement, Iwould like to point out a few common pitfalls. The most obvious pitfall is an absent

thesis statement; without a thesis statement, a paper lacks direction and purpose.

Wordiness is another common mistake; a great idea can get lost in a sentence that goeson and on. A thesis statement that is general will present a problem for the writer

because it doesn't offer any specific direction for the analysis. The Sky is Blue thesis

statements make an obvious and widely-understood statement such as the sky is blueor authors lives affect their writing; this pitfall is a problem because it lacks specifics

and significance. A Tour Guide thesis statement usually begins by stating, First I will

discussthen I will prove, and finally I will talk about This type of thesis


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statement takes on the tone of a tour guide that drones on and on without telling us whywhat we are seeing is important. This type of thesis usually focuses only on the what?

The final type of pitfall is relying on I your audience knows that your paper is your

thoughts so you can omit I think.

The best way to avoid these pitfalls is to ask yourself:

Did I answer the question? (this is the what?)

Did I give specifics that establish how or why?

Am I writing about something that matters? (this is the part of your thesis

statement that will answer so what?)

Things to Remember When Developing Your Thesis Statement

Before accessing the assessment for 6.02B, you will need to:

Read a few sample thesis statements and determine if they are applause or

buzzer-worthy.

Create an excellent thesis statement for your research topic.

Now you that you have taken notes, created a source card, learned how to use your

quotations, and created your thesis statement, your outline should be a breeze! Writing

well happens in phases; with each step, you prepare for the next phase. When you sitdown to write your research paper, most of the hard work will already be done and

that is worth celebrating!

Formal Outline Presentation Text Version

Format Your Outline

Format your outline using Roman numerals for the first heading level. Alternate using letters

and numbers for subheading levels or subtopics.

Pair Numbers and Letters

When creating an outline, never include a 1 without a 2 or an a without a b. For

example, on outline heading level 1, only use a Roman numeral I if you use Roman numeral

II. Likewise, on outline heading level 2, only use an A if you use a subheading B. The same istrue for outline heading level 3 and 4, only list a subheading 1. if you list a subheading 2. and


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only use an a. if you list a subheading b.

Divide Headings into Parts

Divide your first heading level into two or more parts. For Example, the heading, My mosteventful year is divided into the following three parts: Sixteenth birthday, Grand CanyonHike and First high school dance.

Create Balance with Words

If you use a noun for your first heading, each heading that follows must also be a noun.

Likewise, if you use a verb for the first heading, use a verb for subsequent headings. In the

first example, both Future and educational are nouns. In the 2nd example, both choose andcomplete are verbs.

Connect Headings and Subheadings

Be sure that the information in your headings and subheadings refer back to your topic. For

example, Bachelors degree in education and G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher both refer back toEducational Requirements.

Write General to Specific

Headings should be general and subheadings should be more specific. In this example, My

most eventful year and My most challenging year are both very general. Sixteenth

birthday and Grand Canyon hike are more specific events that further describe My most

eventful year while Closest friends attended and Nice gifts are even more specificdetails that illustrate the Sixteenth birthday.

Things to Remember When Creating a Formal Outline

Creating an outline can make writing the essay or term paper much easier. Remember thefollowing tips:

Format your outline.

Pair numbers and letters.

Divide headings into parts.

Create balance with words. Connect headings and subheadings.

Write general to specific.
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MLA Presentation Text Version

Once you have taken notes, created your thesis statement, and outlined your paper, you areready to write, but you have to know how and when to document your facts. Using MLA style

citation will give your paper credibility and help you to avoid plagiarism.

Documenting your sources shows you have done your research and formed opinions

based on facts. With documentation, your reader sees you have held yourselfaccountable for reaching an informed conclusion.

Documenting your sources helps you avoid plagiarism and credit your sources for

their original ideas. Plagiarism is a serious offense, as it can result in not receiving

credit for an assignment, being dismissed from a university or college, or, in severecases, can result in a large fine or jail time. As you can see, documentation is very

important.

There are really two types of MLA documentation we are interested in right now:

Internal documentation

External documentation

Internal documentation uses:

parenthetical citation: is documentation, contained within parentheses at the end of asentence, of the author and source for. Used in MLA style of documentation.

signaling phrases: means the inclusion, within a sentence, of the author or source'snamegenerally, at the start of the sentence. Examples: "According to Maggie Smith,

" or "In To Kill a Mockingbird."

External documentation uses:

works cited, which is documentation at the end of your paper listing the sources you have

referenced within your paper.

When to Cite Information

What makes citing tricky is it is tough to know when to cite and sometimes it is difficult to

find an author's name. For example, you must give credit to the author for any idea that is

not common knowledge. This includes paraphrasing or summarizing the information.

If the fact is generally known by many people, you do not have to give credit to an


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author/source. If you wrote "In 1776, theDeclaration of Independence voiced the freedoms

sought by the Colonists," you would not need to give a source. Most people already know

what theDeclaration of Independence was, and when it was written.

Internal Documentation

As stated previously, there are two ways you may give credit to a source within your

paragraphs: signaling phrases and parenthetical citations.

Signaling phrases such as "According to Stacy Brown," or "Brown states that" are used to

include the name of the author within the sentence. It is appropriate to include a pagenumber in parentheses ( ) at the end of the sentence.

Parenthetical citations use parentheses, ( ), to include the author's name and page number at

the end of a sentence.

What do you do if you cannot find an author's name? First, look more closely. Authors' names

for articles on web sites and in encyclopedias often appear at the very end of the article (andin small print).

If you have searched carefully and still cannot find an author for the information, you may use

the name of the source instead. For example, you might write "According to Pamplona

Today," or "Pamplona remains one of the world's most popular tourist attractions due to theexciting and brutal nature of the running of the bulls (Pamplona Today, 80)."

Some out of the ordinary examples:

more than one author with the same name

(M. Shelley, 224) (P. Shelley, 321)

more than one work with the same name

(Joyce, Portrait 132) (Joyce, Ulysses 312)

citing an indirect source

(Taylor, qtd. in Johnson 2:450)

Citing Electronic Sources Internally

When citing parenthetically, always use the authors name first. If it is not available, use thearticle title. If it is not given, use the title of the website. Note: Article titles are put in

quotation marks, while the title of a website is placed in italics or underlined.


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When using signaling phrases, use the name of the author in the signaling phrase, and then

give the page number at the end of the sentence, in parentheses. If there is no pagination,

place the article title in parentheses. If the article title is not given, use the title of the website.

Citing Electronic Sources for the Works Cited Page

When citing your electronic source in your works cited page, record as much information as

possible. Take a look at the following example:

Rayburn, Kevin. "1920s Timeline." The 1920s. 2 January 2000

.

The name of the author comes first, with the last name followed by the first name. Note thepunctuation used: with the comma between the last and first name and the period after the last

name.

Next, the article name is included and placed in quotation marks, with the period residing

inside the quotation marks.

The name of the website is then recorded, underlined, and followed by a period.

The date the information was accessed is important to document. It clues your reader in to

how current your research is.

Lastly, the Web address (url) is provided to help readers access any information in which they

might be interested.

Formatting the Works Cited Page

The works cited page gives the information a reader might need if they are interested in

locating your source. In order to help someone locate the sources you have used, organize the

page according to MLA style.

List each source in alphabetical order.

Do not put numbers next to the list of entries.

Double line spaces between each entry. Single line spacing within each entry.

Indent five spaces for second line of each entry.

All one font, all the same normal size. Do not use multiple sizes or styles of fonts. Works cited page must have a page number in upper right corner, the same as all other

pages.

The words Works Cited are normal size font, centered, not underlined, not boldface in

quotes.

Formatting the Research Paper


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The old adage dress for success is true. In order for your paper to be a success, it has to be

organized and laid out in a fashion that makes it easy for your readers to access your

information. This slide gives you the criteria for creating a document that is easy on the eyes.

page number (with your name) on every page double line space for all lines, including heading

centered title, but no boldface, no underlining all caps, no quotation marks

five -spaces indents at first line of each paragraph

margins = 1 inch, with page number one-half inch from top

It is necessary to create your paper in a word processing document and attach it as a file, so

you can include all of these numbering and spacing requirements. If you do not know how to

create and attach a word processing document as a file, please contact your instructor fordirections.

Additional Resources

When you come across something you are unsure how to format or cite, take a look at the

following for help. When in doubt, look it up!

1. easybib.com

The Easybib site helps you to create a works cited page by having you fill ininformation about your source. Once you fill in the information, the site

formats the entry for you.

2. University of Wisconsin-Madison Writing Center sitehttp://www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/DocMLA.html

The University of Wisconsin-Madison Writing Center is a site offering many

examples of formatting and citing specific types of sources. The link providedwill take you directly to the page with more information on works cited pages

and internal documentation. The home page for this writing center offers other

examples of writing you may be interested in, as well.

3. Perrines Structure, Sound, and Sense pp 23-31

Perrines (the text for this class) offers some great examples of documentingsources and provides a nice example of a works cited page.

If you have not started writing your research paper, now is the time. If you have begun your

writing, be sure to cite appropriatelyand when in doubt, look it up! Happy writing!


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6.03 Drafting Your Research Paper

The Virtual Times Headline News

The introduction is the first part of your research paper that lets your reader know what your

paper will discuss, investigate, or explore about a given topic. (You can view the definitions

for the terms in red, italic text by clicking on the term.)

Introductory Paragraph

Listen to the Purpose of Introduction or read thetext version.

Sample Introduction Paragraph

It dont mean a thing if it aint got that swing. Do wop, do wop, do wop, do wop, dowop, do wop, do wop, do wop. Duke Ellingtons jazz classic captures half of thespirit of the Harlem Renaissance, a time period where African American writers,musicians, and artists gained world wide prominence. This was also a time wherethe grim reality of African Americans living in a discriminatory society came tosurface as well. Langston Hughes, a prolific poet from the Harlem Renaissance,aptly writes Life for me ain't been no crystal stair./ It's had tacks in it,/ Andsplinters,/ And boards torn up,/ in his poem Mother to Son. There were two sidesto this significant cultural time period in America that artists from the HarlemRenaissance portrayed--the triumphs and the sorrows of African Americans.

Your introductory paragraph should do the following:

Grab your readers interestquote, anecdote, intriguing fact.

Identify the research paper topic.

Include the thesis statementthe focus of the research paper.

Read a sample introductory paragraph.

Body of Research Paper

The body of your paper is your chance to explain your ideas on the papers topic.

Listen to the Purpose of Body or read the text version.
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Your body paragraphs should do the following:

Explain the main points of your thesis statement.

Use textual evidence to support your ideas.

Use additional information from reliable sources to elaborate your points.

Use parenthentical/in-text citation to show where your information came from.

Read a sample body paragraph.

Conclusion

The conclusion is the last paragraph in your research paper that brings closure to the ideas

presented.

Listen to the Sample Body Paragraph

The Harlem Renaissance set the stage for the world to experience the enormouspool of talent in the African American culture. From the end of World War I andthrough the middle of the 1930s Depression, a group of gifted African-Americanwriters produced a sizable body of literature in the four prominent genres of poetry,fiction, drama, and essay (Reuben). Cultural anthropologist, Zora Neale Hurstongave voice to the hardships and strengths of the Black woman with her celebratednovel, Their Eyes Were Watching God. Langston Hughes mesmerized the worldwith his contentious yet inspirational, provocative yet rhythmic poetry. But literature

was not the only field that featured notable African American contributors, all areasof the Arts where permeated. In music emerged Duke Ellington, a herald composerand arranger of jazz. In theater bloomed the infamous Josephine Baker, a stunningdancer and singer. In the visual arts surfaced Augusta Savage, a graceful andintense sculptor, and Palmer Hayden, a painter who depicted landscapes of therural South as well as the African American urban epicenter, Harlem.

Purpose of Conclusion or read the text version.

Your concluding paragraphs should do the following:

Rephrase your thesis statement to remind your readers of the main points covered inthe paper.

Include final remarks about the essays topic.
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Read a sample conclusion paragraph.

Once you have completed your draft, have an adult review it, using theresearch paper rubric

for the necessary requirements.

Purpose of Introduction Text Version

Have you ever watched a movie trailer that made you want to head straight to the theater?

Well, thats the function of an introductory paragraph. You want to be sure your introductionwill have them lining up to find out more! After watching a fantastic trailer, you cannot wait

to shell out 10 dollars when that movie opens. How can you get your reader to shell out the

intellectual dollars for your essay? The introduction is a preview of what the reader can

expect to experience as they read your essay.

To get the reader to make that investment, you will want to start out with a great attention

getter. How will you introduce your topic so that the reader will want to sit through the

opening scene? You will need to make sure you state your topic clearly in an engaging way.

Be sure to include your thesis statement in your introduction to let your audience knowexactly what to expect in the coming scenes.

Purpose of Body Text Version

So your introduction got your reader into the movie theater, but how do you keep them intheir seats? To keep your reader interested in your essay, you must build upon the ideas you

expressed in your thesis statement. Don't you hate it when a movie preview leads you to think

it is about one thing but the actual movie is about something else entirely? Your readers willhate it too! To avoid this, always stick to the points you made in your thesis.

You will develop your points by using your ideas along with information from reliable

sources. You will want to find a harmonious balance between your thoughts on the essay

topic, and ideas from an expert who has already researched your subject. Dont forget toinclude the in-text citations to let your reader know which expert you are quoting or

paraphrasing.
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Sample Body Paragraph

The Harlem Renaissance set the stage for the world to experience the enormous poolof talent in the African American culture. From the end of World War I and through themiddle of the 1930s Depression, a group of gifted African-American writers produced asizable body of literature in the four prominent genres of poetry, fiction, drama, andessay (Reuben). Cultural anthropologist, Zora Neale Hurston gave voice to thehardships and strengths of the Black woman with her celebrated novel, Their EyesWere Watching God. Langston Hughes mesmerized the world with his contentious yetinspirational, provocative yet rhythmic poetry. But literature was not the only field thatfeatured notable African American contributors, all areas of the Arts where permeated.In music emerged Duke Ellington, a herald composer and arranger of jazz. In theaterbloomed the infamous Josephine Baker, a stunning dancer and singer. In the visual artssurfaced Augusta Savage, a graceful and intense sculptor, and Palmer Hayden, apainter who depicted landscapes of the rural South as well as the African Americanurban epicenter, Harlem.

Research Paper Rubric

Criterion

Thesis

Statement

25 points

Thesis statement

is focused,

concise, well-

worded andargumentative,

and is the last

sentence of thefirst paragraph.

25 points

Thesis statement

is focused,

concise, well-

worded andargumentative,

but it is not the

last sentence inthe first

paragraph.

20 points

Thesis statement is

present, but

EITHER lacks

focus or the focusis too broad, OR is

not argumentative.

10 points

Thesis statement

is missing or

unidentifiable.

0 points

Ideas and

Support

50 points

Contains 3 body

paragraphs andeach paragraph

has specific

Contains 3 body

paragraphs, butthe support

details are

Lacking one or

more of the bodyparagraphs. Some

irrelevant details

Extremely limited

or unclear ideas.

Lacks specific
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support for the

thesis including

relevant research,textual examples,

and connections.

Ideas are focused,

clear andinteresting.

50 points

general or limited

in places.

Development of

ideas is limited;

quotes may bewithout

connection andideas are not fully

supported.

40 points

and ideas in need

of specific support.

Generalities

outweigh

substantiatedsupport.

30 points

support for thethesis/main focus

of the paper.

20 points

Organization

50 points .

Paper is logically

organized andcoherent, with

smooth, effective

transitions.

Hookdraws thereader in (and is

NOT a question)

and bodyparagraphs flow

coherently.

Conclusion draws

the reader toaction, leaves the

reader with

something to thinkabout, etc.

Paper has an

appropriate,

catchy title.

50 points

Organization is

clear andcoherent.

Transitions are

present but may

be formulaic.

Conclusion is

attempted but is

lacking in power

or a call to action.

Paper has a title,

although it may

not be verycatchy.

40 points

Introduction is

underdeveloped;paper begins

without hooking

the reader.

Transitions, ifpresent, are

elementary.

Conclusion simply

restates the thesis.

Paper may be

missing a title, or

the title is verybasic in nature

20 points

There is no

attempt at anorganizational

pattern. The paper

does not flow andthere is extra

information not

relevant to the

main topic.

Transitions are

lacking.

No attempt at a

meaningfulconclusion.

Title is missing.

10 points

Conventions

of MLA

50 points

Works Cited page

is properly

formatted.

Works Cited page

and parenthetical

citations arepresent

An attempt was

made to cite

sources; a workscited page and/or

Works Cited page

and/or

parentheticalcitations are


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Parentheticalcitations are

included

throughout the

paper.

Paper is in MLA

format, including

header, heading,double spaced,

and in 12 point

font.

50 points

throughout.

Minor formatting

issues are present.

40 points

parenthetical

citations are

included.

Proper formatting

is lacking.

20 points

lacking in the

paper.

Proper formatting

is lacking.

0 points

Conventions

25 points

Paper has been

proofread and is

free ofgrammatical and

usage errors.

Sentence structure

is correct andvaried.

25 points

Paper has been

proofread and

errors are notdistracting to the

reader.

20 points

Paper has not been

proofread or spell-

checked and errorsare distracting to

the reader.

10 points

There is a limited

command of the

language and asignificant need

for proofreading

and editing. Errors

are distracting tothe reader.

5 points

Please Note: A paper lacking parenthetical citations and a works cited page is not a research paper

and will be sent back to you for revisions before being graded.
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Documents

The Research Paper Process Text Version