Research Paper, Spring 2013, All Sections

Posted: 10:15 P.M., 12 January 2013

 

M. Hall                                                                                                  

English 1301, 1302, 2320

Angelina College

1^st day of class, 14 January 2013 / 15 January 2013, and again at mid-term

 

Writing a Research Paper

 

This is an outline.  We will discuss each point in class as the term progresses.

 

Objectives: The student will write a college-level persuasive (state a thesis and then support it) research paper according to the MLA format:

 

1. Plan a research paper, select and limit a topic, write a preliminary thesis statement, and make a rough outline.

 

2. Research the topic, employing the ‘net and other sources, and make a working bibliography.

 

3. Take notes, evaluate sources, and use direct quotations, paraphrases, and summaries.

 

4. Organize information for a research paper, revise the preliminary thesis statement, make a detailed outline, and take additional notes.

 

5. Draft and document a research paper.

 

6. Revise and finish a research paper.

 

Your usage reference is your textbook’s research writing content, which is based on the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, your copy of Bedford, and multiple handouts.

  

GENERAL NOTES:

 

1. Your complete paper must be computer generated.

 

2. Each page will have, on average, two relevant direct quotations, properly punctuated and sourced.

 

3. The minimum number of body pages is 5; the maximum is 10. Double-space, and follow the format in the MLA.

 

4. I must see your preliminary thesis statement and rough outline.

 

5. Neatness in the final draft is a sine qua non.  This reflects your professionalism

 

6. Computers behave strangely.  Storage devices can be pinched or destroyed, or perhaps the class clown playfully erases weeks’ worth of your work the day before it’s due.  Computers fail. Printers fail.  Plan ahead.  No one can live your life for you; you must anticipate all possible calamities. Make duplicates.  Print out parts of your paper as soon as you can, and store them safely.

 

7. Check your topic with your teacher BEFORE MID-TERM and have him sign off on it BEFORE MID-TERM. Make sure you can handle the topic BEFORE MID-TERM and that there are adequate resources available to you BEFORE MID-TERM.  You may choose a topic from your major or from English literature (and I’m flexible on this), but you must finalize your topic BEFORE MID-TERM.  After mid-term, you will not be permitted to change.  We will talk more about topics, but those not acceptable include anything connected with sex, sin, suicide, gun control, abortion, autism, or other emotional triggers.  Remember that a research paper is not a personal essay; it is a rational conclusion supported by facts from authoritative sources after the process of research.  A research paper is objective and detached; there is no I, I, I, me, me, me in content or structure.

 

 8.  Your paper must have at least five documented sources (more would be better), including at least one internet source.  Actually, all your sources may come from the internet.  One repetition of a source is fine, but I do want you to consider a variety of sites.  Explore!

 

CHANGES BEGINNING JANUARY 2013. 

 

The problem: Repeated failures to sort out valid sources from misinformation, fashion, biases, prejudices, and lies in print, on the ‘net, and in popular culture.  When, in your career, you must make decisions that will have impact on lives, budgets, and careers – including yours – you as a professional must employ valid sources of information, and not simply the first bit of drivel that pops up on the Orwellian telescreen.

 

The solution:  The bibliography, MLA format, must be complete by mid-term, and the sources must be presented in a physical form during the first half of the term.  This means you must begin serious work on choosing a topic, locating sources, and finalizing sources now.  Each source must be presented to the instructor in a physical form soon: complete book, complete magazine article, or complete printed internet source.  If one of your sources is an audio-visual presentation you must bring that and whatever mechanical device you need for sharing it.  This will be time-consuming, but it will save your grade and, more importantly, will help you understand the concept of reliable sources of knowledge for use in your profession.

 

 9.  Writing lab -- hanging around idly with such excuses as “I’m typing it at home” or “I can’t work with all these distractions” will not be accepted.  Get busy; this project is more demanding than it might seem.

 

10.  You cannot pass the class without a solid, professional research paper.

 

12. Use 12-point Verdana.

 

13. Your completed paper will be stapled neatly, and will be graded as follows:

 

Body  / content                            35 points

Bibliography                                25   “

Aesthetics (neatness, clean paper, clear typeface, no corrections, no dog-ears, and so on) will be graded subjectively            20 points

MLA                                            20 points                

         

14. The research paper will be graded holistically, but spelling and usage errors will be penalized at two points each, more if egregious.

 

15. You will turn in your final draft only. 

 

16. The research paper is 25% of your course grade - you cannot pass the course without a successful research paper.

 

17. The research paper is due:

 

1. If you turn in your paper NLT the beginning of class on 15 April (Monday class) / 16 April (Tuesday- Thursday class) , you will receive 10 extra points.
2. NLT beginning of class, 22/23 April, no penalty
3. I will accept your paper NLT the beginning of class on 29/30 April with a loss of 10 points.

 

18. Research paper timeline.  Any variations are at the discretion of the instructor.  Remember that without a satisfactory research paper you cannot pass the class.  We will also work on other projects;  the research paper is accomplished mostly out of class.

 

A.   14 January / 15 or 16 January.  Hand out and discuss research paper expectations.

 

B.   Submit complete bibliography in MLA format with presentation of sources BEFORE MID-TERM (4 March / 5 or 6 March). Zero test grade if not turned in – and note that if there is a cluster of students who wait until the last day, the instructor will begin alphabetically and stop evaluating at the end of the period.  There can be no excuse for not accomplishing the bibliography in almost two months.

 

C.   25 / 26 or 27 March.  Topic and one-sentence thesis statement due. Turn this in on a full sheet of paper with a complete MLA heading due for class sharing.  Zero grade if not turned in.

D.   1 April / 2 or 3 April.  COMPLETE rough draft, including revised bibliography, typed in MLA format, due for class sharing.  Zero grade if not turned in.

 

E.    If you turn in your paper NLT the beginning of class on 15 April (Monday class) / 16 or 18 April (Tuesday - Thursday class), you will receive 10 extra points.

 

If you turn in your paper NLT beginning of class, 22/23 or 24 April, no penalty

 

If you turn in your paper NLT the beginning of class on 29/ 29 or 30 April  you will lose 10 points.  No papers will be accepted after this.  An absence on this day will not excuse you; the assignment was made in January.