Formal Essay Rules Research Papers

AP Research Paper Use the formula for the MP 1 Essay Use the formula for the MP 1 Essay Plot + Device = Meaning Plot + Device = Meaning Your paper will be an expanded version of the MP 1 essay, using 2 works of literature and supporting criticism. Your paper will be an expanded version of the MP 1 essay, using 2 works of literature and supporting criticism. You must include 5 works of criticism and 2 works of literature in the final paper. You must include 5 works of criticism and 2 works of literature in the final paper.

Approaching History for Research Don’t think of this as a simple report stating what happened. Don’t think of this as a simple report stating what happened. Your job is to explain why it happened. Your job is to explain why it happened.

Narrow Your Topic! General topic: Immigrants in Canada General topic: Immigrants in Canada More specific: Immigrant workers in Canada 1830 – 1940 More specific: Immigrant workers in Canada 1830 – 1940 More specific: British pauper children as indentured workers in Canada More specific: British pauper children as indentured workers in Canada

Questions Why were British pauper children used as indentured workers in Canada between 1830 and 1940? Why did the practice end in the 1940s? Why were British pauper children used as indentured workers in Canada between 1830 and 1940? Why did the practice end in the 1940s?

Preliminary Thesis British pauper children filled an important labor shortage on Canadian farms between 1830 and 1940.

Refined Thesis Canada’s practice of importing young child laborers was the controversial result of Britain’s attempts to deal with the poor and to fill Canada’s labor needs. Changing public perceptions of childhood eventually led to the demise of child labor importation. Canada’s practice of importing young child laborers was the controversial result of Britain’s attempts to deal with the poor and to fill Canada’s labor needs. Changing public perceptions of childhood eventually led to the demise of child labor importation.

Paper Requirements 5 sources (minimum) in final paper. 5 sources (minimum) in final paper. 2 books, and 1 database source (minimum). 2 books, and 1 database source (minimum). CP: 4-5 pages CP: 4-5 pages H: 5-6 pages H: 5-6 pages AP: 7-8 pages AP: 7-8 pages

Reports Due in October Have a working thesis statement. Tell the class your idea for an argument on this topic at the beginning of the essay. Have a working thesis statement. Tell the class your idea for an argument on this topic at the beginning of the essay. Write an in class essay covering the basic information from one major book source. Write an in class essay covering the basic information from one major book source.

Directions for Making an Outline Use Roman numerals, letters and numbers to indicate the major sections of your paper. Use Roman numerals, letters and numbers to indicate the major sections of your paper. Include citations and a revised works cited sheet with your outline on the due date. Include citations and a revised works cited sheet with your outline on the due date.

Outline Example Thesis: I Topic Sentence A. Fact (Citation) 1. My analysis 2. My analysis B. Quote(Citation) C. Specific Detail or Statistic (Citation)

What is Common Knowledge and Doesn’t Need to be Cited? If in doubt, cite it! If in doubt, cite it! You may consider it “common knowledge” - If you can find the fact in multiple You may consider it “common knowledge” - If you can find the fact in multiple sources sources - AND IT IS SOMETHING OTHER PEOPLE IN THE CLASS WOULD KNOW PEOPLE IN THE CLASS WOULD KNOW WITHOUT LOOKING AT SOURCE WITHOUT LOOKING AT SOURCE MATERIAL! MATERIAL!

Common Knowledge - Fiction You do not need to cite basic plot points of works of fiction. Assume you are writing for an audience that has an academic understanding of fiction. You do not need to cite basic plot points of works of fiction. Assume you are writing for an audience that has an academic understanding of fiction.

Final Thoughts at This Point in the Process Your outline should be detailed, explaining what material you plan to cite and the order of the information. Your outline should be detailed, explaining what material you plan to cite and the order of the information. I should be able to determine the logic of your argument based on the outline. I should be able to determine the logic of your argument based on the outline. Points deducted for lack of detail! Points deducted for lack of detail!

Outline Reminders Show me a clear plan for the body of your paper. Show me a clear plan for the body of your paper. Include all direct quotes, statistics, and general facts from your sources. Include all direct quotes, statistics, and general facts from your sources. After each piece of information from a source, include the citation. After each piece of information from a source, include the citation. (Reynolds 5). (Reynolds 5).

Citations When there is no author, cite by title. You may use a key word in the title if it is very long. When there is no author, cite by title. You may use a key word in the title if it is very long. Check rules for other variations! Check rules for other variations!

Three Ways to Cite Wordsworth stated that Romantic poetry was marked by a "spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings" (263). Wordsworth stated that Romantic poetry was marked by a "spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings" (263). Romantic poetry is characterized by the "spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings" (Wordsworth 263). Romantic poetry is characterized by the "spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings" (Wordsworth 263). Wordsworth extensively explored the role of emotion in the creative process (263). Wordsworth extensively explored the role of emotion in the creative process (263).

Language No vague language (“things,” “good,” “bad,” “stuff”). No vague language (“things,” “good,” “bad,” “stuff”). Do not begin sentences with “so,” “then,” or “well,” “and,” or “but.” Do not begin sentences with “so,” “then,” or “well,” “and,” or “but.” Use the literal and precise meaning of words. (No “on the other hand”) Use the literal and precise meaning of words. (No “on the other hand”)

Sentences All sentences should be complete with a subject and a verb. All sentences should be complete with a subject and a verb. Vary sentence structure. Vary sentence structure. Avoid linking verbs (“is,” “are”) Avoid linking verbs (“is,” “are”) Use present tense for literature and past tense for history. Use present tense for literature and past tense for history. Avoid passive voice (no “the ball was thrown by Paul”). Avoid passive voice (no “the ball was thrown by Paul”).

Paragraph Structure Paragraphs should begin with a topic sentence (state what the paragraph is about), should have supporting details that describe all important information about the topic, and should end with a concluding thought in YOUR OWN WORDS! Paragraphs should begin with a topic sentence (state what the paragraph is about), should have supporting details that describe all important information about the topic, and should end with a concluding thought in YOUR OWN WORDS! All body paragraphs should have at least one short quote from the literature or source material. However, the bulk of the paragraph should be YOUR OWN WORDS! All body paragraphs should have at least one short quote from the literature or source material. However, the bulk of the paragraph should be YOUR OWN WORDS!

Tone Use a formal tone and quality vocabulary (you are not writing a text message to a friend)! Use a formal tone and quality vocabulary (you are not writing a text message to a friend)! Do not use the words “I” or “you.” Do not use the words “I” or “you.” Do not make any “announcements” in your essay (In conclusion, In this essay I will write about, This essay is about, As stated above). Do not make any “announcements” in your essay (In conclusion, In this essay I will write about, This essay is about, As stated above). Use quality vocabulary - if a 2nd grader can read your entire essay and understand EVERY WORD, you are not writing like an adult! Use quality vocabulary - if a 2nd grader can read your entire essay and understand EVERY WORD, you are not writing like an adult!

Introduction and Conclusion Introduction paragraph should end with the thesis statement. Introduction paragraph should end with the thesis statement. Anecdotal: Tell a story. Anecdotal: Tell a story. Contrast: Argue against the common belief. (Most people believe that America deserves all the credit for bringing WWII to an end. However, were it not for the British effort…) Contrast: Argue against the common belief. (Most people believe that America deserves all the credit for bringing WWII to an end. However, were it not for the British effort…) Funnel: Start with a broad topic sentence and slowly lead up the thesis statement. Funnel: Start with a broad topic sentence and slowly lead up the thesis statement. Conclusion should contain a reworded thesis statement and sum up main points of the essay. Conclusion should contain a reworded thesis statement and sum up main points of the essay.