Introduction to the Research Essay

Research Paper Due Dates 03/17/15: Topic Selected 03/18/15: Thesis Statements 03/23/15: Annotated Bib. 03/26/15: Rough Draft 03/26/15: Peer Edit 04/07/15: Final Draft

Research Essay Turn-In Policy All pre-writing assignments are due on the dates listed. For each day you submit the pre-writing assignments late, ½ of the total points will be deducted. Please note: you cannot submit the final draft of this paper without having previously submitted all pre-writing assignments. This means, even if you have received a zero on your rough draft, for example, you still must submit a rough draft prior to the final draft’s deadline.  Any final draft handed in late will be penalized according to standard classroom policy. I.E., one letter grade will be deducted for each day’s lateness.   Even if you are absent on the due date of the final draft, your paper is still due – there is no lateness. Computer issues will not be a sufficient reason for missing deadlines. Failure to submit this paper may result in failure for the 3rd marking period.

English 12 Research Essay Your task is to take a position to support one side of a controversial issue. Controversial issues have no obvious right answer, no truth that everyone accepts, and no single authority on which everyone relies. Although it is not possible to prove that a position on a controversial issue is right or wrong, it is possible through reasoned argument to convince others to accept or reject a particular position.

English 12 Research Essay To be convincing, not only must an argument present convincing reasons and plausible support for its position, but it should also anticipate readers’ likely objections and opposing arguments, conceding those that are reasonable and refuting those that are not. Beware: You are to write in the third person only! No I, me, my, mine, we, our, us, you, your, yours!

Requirements Submit a research essay (non-literary analysis) that takes a clear stance on a controversial topic. You must defend your thesis statement using three clearly articulated supporting arguments! Paper must be a minimum of five paragraphs and a minimum of three pages in length. The paper must be typed and double-spaced, using size #12 font and standard margins. You may only use the Arial or Times New Roman style of font.

Requirements You must properly use MLA format for the header, pagination, in-text citations and Works Cited page of your paper. Consider using the “Opposing Viewpoints” Database to assist you in researching your topic. You must have a title for your paper that indicates topic. You must consult a minimum of six resources. Each paragraph must have one citation that supports your argument and one citation that refutes your point

Sources Acceptable Resources: Unacceptable Resources: Library Database Sources Opposing Viewpoints SIRS Knowledge Source Periodicals (Newspapers, journals, magazine articles, etc.) Books (library card catalogue) Interviews (audio or filmed) Unacceptable Resources:  Free Internet Sources (Wikipedia and the like)

The Process Select a Topic & a stance (See Opposing Viewpoints or SIRS Database) Develop Thesis Statement (See PowerPoint) Create Annotated Bibliography (See PowerPoint) Edit Annotated Bibliography down into a Works Cited Page (Remove Annotations) Set Up Paper in MLA Format (See PowerPoint) Write Introduction (See PowerPoint) Write Body Paragraphs (See PowerPoint) Write Conclusion (See PowerPoint) Peer Edit Revise and Publish

Note: Turn in all work in folder. Compile all work in folder.

Questions?

Research Paper Due Dates 03/17/15: Topic Selected 03/18/15: Thesis Statements 03/23/15: Annotated Bib. 03/26/15: Rough Draft 03/26/15: Peer Edit 04/07/15: Final Draft

Database/Research Review Opposing Viewpoints SIRS Knowledge Source