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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.htm7/31/2019 The Research Paper Process Text Version
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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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