English III Research Component Explanation of the process…

What is a research paper? The NC Common Core of English III requires that all students complete a research paper. The paper will demonstrate a students’ ability to conduct research, formulate a position on a topic, and then draw conclusions based on the research. How will this happen? All students will have to formulate an essential question based on a controversial topic. Then, the student will research the question, take a position on the topic, and defend that position. This is not a report, but an argumentative position paper.

How Will Research be done? The class will spend three days researching and documenting source material. Additional time outside of class will be necessary to complete research. You will be required 5-6 sources of information in a variety of formats (books, magazines, newspapers, etc.) cited within the final paper. Other sources may include personal interviews, television documentaries, films, recordings, computer software, Galenet resources, Internet sites, etc.

Research Paper Format? The paper is designed to answer the question posed in the essential question. The essential question will guide everything about the paper; thus, acting as the thesis for the entire paper. The paper should be 4-5 pages in length, with an additional 1-2 page personal reflection on the project, which will be a separate component from the paper. A full works cited page(s) will be in addition to the 3-4 pages.

Demonstrating research You will be taught how to document your research using the MLA style. Source cards and note cards will be used during the research phase of the project and turned in with the final paper. Parenthetical documentation will be used throughout the paper. A full works cited page of sources will be turned in as well. *We will go through all of these steps very slowly and methodically.

Materials you will need… You will need to have the following materials in class on Friday, February 10, 2016: 20 4” X 6” note cards One 10” X 13” manila envelope One quart-size freezer weight Ziploc bag

Big Calendar Dates for Project A more detailed calendar will follow at a later date, but these are some major dates: Final Draft of your Essential Question Friday, February 10 Research in Media Center Monday, February 13 & Tuesday, February 14 Rough Draft of Research Paper Monday, February 27 Final Draft of Research Paper Monday, March 6