11th Grade Culminating Project: The Research Paper and “The Big Six”

What is it? Persuasive Essay The topic should answer a question related to a career or volunteer opportunity you may want to pursue in the future.

Example of a Persuasive Topic Good Example: Should teachers grade SE and ELL students differently than other students? Bad Example: Should the Culminating Project be a graduation requirement?

How Long is it? How Many Sources? 4-6 pages, double spaced. 12 point Times New Roman Font. MLA Format Works Cited page and In- Text Citations 5-7 Credible Sources Honors class must have 7 – 10 credible sources. Each source must have an author.

How will I be Graded? The entire project is worth 20% of your semester grade!!!! The paper will be considered 10% of your semester grade. The research will count for an additional 10% of your semester grade.

What is Passing? Like any assignment, a “C” meets the standard. Grades “D” or below will not meet standard. The paper can be rewritten and reviewed by a mentor for approval at a later date.

How many drafts? You are required to write three drafts, including a final draft, with peer edits. We will be doing our first draft in segments The second draft will be edited and revised by your peers and Mr. Sun- K. The third draft will be your final draft.

What’s the deal with the Job Shadow? The Job Shadow is part of the requirements for the Culminating Project during your Junior year. However, Mr. Sun-K is requiring you complete as an assignment in his class that is worth 100 points. The advantages to completing the Job Shadow in conjunction with the CP Essay are as follows: 1.You can complete 2 parts of the CP in English. 2.You can use your Job Shadow as 1 of your 5 – 7 sources on your essay. 3.Mr. Sun-K is giving you permission to take a day off from his class.

Hold on a minute. I need to pass this essay for graduation right? What happens if I fail the first time? Like the “Yes” Test last semester… First attempt there is no penalty. 2nd attempt: -10%. 3rd attempt :-25%. 4 th attempt: NO GRADE!!! *Note: The Yes Test penalty DOES NOT go against your grade for the CP.

The Big Six The Big are the six components used to successfully research a topic. During the Research and Drafting Phase of the Essay, you must get Mr. Sun-K to sign off for each stage of the Big Six.

Step #1: Defining the Task Task Definition figuring out what you need to do. For this unit, you must: Research the topic Evaluate your sources Write an essay. Upload your essay to Efolio.

Step #2: Information Seeking Strategies Information Seeking means what questions do I need to ask to seek information? what sources do I need to complete the task?

Step #3: Location and Access Location is defined as where do I need to go to find my sources? Access is defined as how can find what I need from the location of my sources?

Step #4: Use of Information Information is defined as the facts given to me from the source. This involves evaluating if the source is reliable and determining the right facts to include in your final product.

Step 5: Synthesis Synthesis means putting everything together. You need to ask yourself: What format does my essay require? What components does my essay need to include? How many sources do I need to include? What are the requirements of the Yes Test?

Step #6: Evaluation Evaluation is defined as judging to see if you have completed the task and gathered all the information you need.

Checklist Choose a topic Complete a Career Inventory Create Research Questions and Subquestions Attend your Job Shadow Conduct Research in the library. Write Three Drafts Cite your sources with In-Text Citations and a Works Cited Page. Pass the “Yes Test.” Earn a “C” or better. Upload essay to Digital Locker/Efolio.

Key Dates Career Inventory Due: Mon. 3/22 Set-Up Interview for Job Shadow: Fri. 3/26 Research in Library: Wed. 3/24 – Tues. 3/30 Job Shadow Due: Monday 4/7 (Right after Spring Break!!!). Final Draft and Packet Due: Mon. 4/19* * - subject to change because of HSPE schedule. Yes Test Rounds: TBD

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