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A Guide to the Research Paper

A Guide to the Research Paper:HANDBOOK

English 11

Lake Mills High School

September 1, 2018

Don’t procrastinate!

Ask for help early and

often!

1


Project Calendar (B= Bucky book; P = Packer book)Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday FridaySeptember 3NO SCHOOL

4Short schedule/intro day

5 D1SyllabusVocab Placement TestIndependent Book Review infoIntro to term paper Bp.2-6, 22,

Pp. 2

6 D2SyllabusVocab Placement TestIndependent Book Review infoIntro to term paper Bp.2-6, 22,

Pp. 2

7 D1Topic Selection WSOverview of resources Pp.3Research time

10 D2 SSR startsTopic Selection WSOverview of resources Pp.3Research time

11 D1SSR startsNoodleTools signup/demo Notecard practice Bp. 8-12, Pp.

4-8Research time

12 D2 NoodleTools signup/demoNotecard practice Bp. 8-12, Pp.

4-8Research time

13 D1DUE: Topics Info on 1 pg description Bp.7Research time

14 D2 DUE: Topics Info on 1 pg description Bp.7Research time

17 D1Book reviews startIn-text citation info (handouts)DUE: One page description to

Turnitin.comResearch time

18 D2 Book reviews startIn-text citation info (handouts)DUE: One page description to

Turnitin.comResearch time

19 D1In-text citation practice Pp. 9-10“Notecard to paper” practice Pp.

11Research time(Ms. Morris absent)

20 D2 DUE: Vocab 1In-text citation practice Pp. 9-10“Notecard to paper” practice Pp.

11Research time

21 D1DUE: Vocab 1Outline information Bp. 13, 15DUE: Notecards 50% Research time

24NO SCHOOL

25 D2Outline information Bp. 13, 15DUE: Notecards 50% Research time

26 D1Writing the Paper info Thesis Statement worksheet Bp.

14, Pp. 12-13Research time

27 D2 DUE: Vocab 2Writing the Paper info Thesis Statement worksheet Bp.

14, Pp. 12-13Research time

28 D1DUE: Vocab 2In-text citation reviewOutline review Bp. 15How & Why to Quote Bp. 10Research/Outlining (Ms. Morris absent)

October 1 D2 In-text citation reviewOutline review Bp. 15How & Why to Quote Bp. 10Research/Outlining

2 D1DUE: Outline & Notecards

100%Work time

3 D2 DUE: Outline & Notecards

100%Work time

4 D1DUE: Vocab 3Rough draft info Bp. 16-20, 22Work time

5 D2DUE: Vocab 3Rough draft info Bp. 16-20, 22Work time

8 D1Reference page info/export Bp.

20Formatting the paper (demo)Work time

9 D2Reference page info/export Bp.

20Formatting the paper (demo)Work time

10 D1Work time

11 D2DUE: Rough Draft to TurnitinDUE: Vocab 4Work time

12 D1DUE: Vocab 4Early American Literature Unit

intro

2


The Big6™ Skills The Big6 is a process model of how people of all ages solve an information problem. From practice and study, we found that successful information problem-solving encompasses six stages with two sub-stages under each:

1. Task Definition1.1 Define the information problem1.2 Identify information needed

2. Information Seeking Strategies2.1 Determine all possible sources2.2 Select the best sources

3. Location and Access3.1 Locate sources (intellectually and physically)

Sources should be high quality – books, newspapers, magazines, and high quality websites. Students must use the research databases available through our school library.

3.2 Find information within sources

4. Use of Information4.1 Engage (e.g., read, hear, view, touch)4.2 Extract relevant information

5. Synthesis5.1 Organize from multiple sources5.2 Present the information

6. Evaluation6.1 Judge the product (effectiveness)6.2 Judge the process (efficiency)

People naturally follow these steps as they seek information to solve a problem. However, it’s useful to understand the steps to help you complete your research process more effectively. It’s also important to know that steps overlap, and often you move back and forth between the steps, revisiting some before moving on in the process.

In addition, certain feelings are common during certain parts of the process. Understanding these feelings can help you cope with them constructively and stay focused on successfully completing the project.

Be sure to ask for help whenever you need it – you don’t have time to be stumped!

Big 6. (2012). Big 6 Skills Overview. Retrieved January 9, 2013 from the Big 6 Web site: http://big6.com/pages/about/big6-skills-overview.php

3


Junior Term Paper Overview

The total points for the Junior Term Paper are 500; thus the term paper accounts for much of your third and fourth quarter grades. The term paper is a requirement for the English 11 course. You cannot get a passing grade for the semester without completing all parts of the project !

These dates are absolute! You must discuss any concerns you have about meeting deadlines with your teacher ahead of time. Notecards and outline will be submitted through NoodleTools. The one-page description, rough draft and final copy will be submitted to Turnitin.com.

Remember that from the time you have chosen your topic until you hand in your paper, you will be conducting research and compiling notecards. The final copy will be 4-6 pages long, 12-point font, double-spaced. (The Title page and Reference page are additional.)

Term Paper ChecklistItem and Description (Standard) Due

Date/Points

1. Task Definition – Choose a topic (Writing 7)1.1 Define the information problem1.2 Identify information neededSign up for a topic in class and discuss with teacher. As soon as you’ve signed up for a topic, you should begin your research.

9/14, 9/15

0

2. Information Seeking Strategies - One Page Description (Writing 7, 8, Language 1-3)2.1 Determine all possible sources2.2 Select the best sourcesThis is a one page, typed, specific (first-person) description of what you intend to cover in your paper and where you will find the necessary information. You’ll need to conduct some research.

9/18, 9/19

25

3. Location and Access – conduct research (Writing 7, 8, 9)3.1 Locate sources (intellectually and physically)3.2 Find information within sources4. Use of Information – create Notecards (Writing 7, 8, 9)4.1 Engage (e.g., read, hear, view, touch)4.2 Extract relevant informationAs soon as you’ve chosen your topic, you will conduct research and compile notecards. All notecards should be done in Noodle Tools. Notecards will be checked twice – see rubric for details.

9/22, 9/26

and

10/3, 10/4

100

4. Use of Information – continuing research (Writing 7, 8, 9)4.1 Engage (e.g., read, hear, view, touch)4.2 Extract relevant information5. Synthesis – Outline (Writing 7, 8, 9)5.1 Organize from multiple sources5.2 Present the informationThis is a detailed, formal organizational plan for your paper, generated in NoodleTools, based on your notecards. The thesis statement must be included. Outlines without thesis statements will not be graded.

10/3, 10/4

50

4

A Guide to the Research PaperItem and Description (Standard) Due

Date/Points

5. Synthesis – Rough Draft (Writing 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9; Language 1-3)5.1 Organize from multiple sources5.2 Present the information6. Evaluation6.1 Judge the product (effectiveness)6.2 Judge the process (efficiency)The rough draft is your completed paper in its rough form. Use the information in this packet to help ensure you meet all requirements – you’ll be graded according to the rubric at the back of this packet. Drafts without in-text citations or References will not be graded.

10/12

125

6. Evaluation – Final Copy (Writing 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9; Language 1-3)6.1 Judge the product (effectiveness)6.2 Judge the process (efficiency)You will consult the feedback on your rough draft and make all requested revisions. There should be NO errors. Papers without in-text citations or References will not be graded.

11/30

200

Common Core State Standards evaluated during this project:

Writing 2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.

Writing 4: Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose and audience.

Writing 5: Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.

Writing 7: Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused questions, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.

Writing 8: Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, using advanced searches effectively; assess the strengths and limitations of each source in terms of the task, purpose, and audience; and integrate information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and overreliance on any one source and following a standard format for citation.

Writing 9: Draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis, reflection and research.Language 1: Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing

or speaking.Language 2: Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and

spelling when writing.Language 6: Acquire and use accurately general academic and domain-specific words or phrases, sufficient for

reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the college and career readiness level; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.

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Step 1: How to Choose a Topic (Writing 7)

1. Task Definition – choose your topic1.1 Define the information problem1.2 Identify information needed

First, research something that you are interested in; this makes the work easier for you. However, it’s best NOT to choose a topic on which you are already an expert. Choose something you’d like to learn more about. After all, this is a research project, thus you are REQUIRED to conduct research (in other words, you can’t just write down stuff you already know).

Use these questions to help you brainstorm: Do you have a strong opinion on a current social or political controversy? Did you read or see a news story recently that has piqued your interest or made you angry or anxious? Do you have a personal issue, problem or interest that you would like to know more about? Is there an aspect of a class that you are interested in learning more about?

Second, be sure to limit the topic; do not choose a topic so general that you get sick of writing it or that you are overwhelmed with information. Suppose you want to write on the American Sioux, Apaches, etc. This subject is too general and you cannot do it justice in only 4-6 pages, so you must narrow the subject. Perhaps you would then write on the eating habits of the American Sioux or on the ceremonies of the Apaches.

Third, choose a topic that has enough available reference material; a paper based completely on the summary of three or four encyclopedia articles or of just one website is not enough! In addition, a topic may be difficult to research if it is too locally confined or too recent. Your personal experience may be used as part of the material, but be careful not to use first person (I, we, me, us, etc.).

How do you limit a topic? The best way is to find material on the general subject (try an encyclopedia) and then, through a little research, find which part you would like to write about and which also has sufficient information. In other words, you will probably need to conduct research just to choose your topic! This research will help you to generate key terms, too, which you will use as search terms for more specific information.

As you read to narrow your topic, keep track of the words that are used to describe your topic. Look for words that best describe your topic Look for them when reading encyclopedia articles and background and general information Find broader and narrower terms, synonyms, key concepts for key words to widen your search

capabilities Make note of these words and use them later when searching databases and catalogs

Be flexible. Many people modify their topics as they delve more deeply into their research. You may find too much information and need to narrow your topic further, or you may find too little and need to broaden your topic. You may even find that your focus shifts as you realize one aspect of your topic is very interesting to you.

You may feel overwhelmed at this point with the amount of work and number of due dates. Take a few minutes to record all the due dates in your calendar/homework system. Then take some deep breaths, and plunge right into your research – the more you learn about the topic, the more you can clarify your ideas about what you will write in your paper.

Step 2: One Page Description (Writing 7, Language 1-3)

6


2. Information Seeking Strategies - One Page Description2.1 Determine all possible sources2.2 Select the best sources

As you begin your research, you will begin planning what to include in the paper and where you will find your information. This information will be submitted to your teacher in the form of a one-page description. It should be submitted to Turnitin.com on the due date and will be graded according to the rubric below.

You may write in first person. This description is a PLAN – it shows that you’ve been making progress in the project; however, you will not be penalized if your plans must change as you get further into your research project.

Requirement Points

Full heading typed at top of page 2

One page – no more, no less, typed, double-spaced, 12 pt. font 3

Typed and submitted on time to Turnitin.com 5

Specific plan for 3-5 main ideas or sub-topics to be included in the paper; should also plan the order in which topics will be discussed.

8

Specific plan for where information will be located, e.g. which books, databases, websites; could also include physical location like school library, public library, etc.

7

TOTAL 25

You may feel confused and frustrated at times during this step. Be sure to ask your teacher or library media specialist for help when needed. Remember to skim and scan to find the information you need.

7


Step 3 and 4: Research and Note Cards (Writing 7, 8, 9)

3. Location and Access – conduct research3.1 Locate sources (intellectually and physically)3.2 Find information within sources

4. Use of Information – create Notecards4.1 Engage (e.g., read, hear, view, touch)4.2 Extract relevant information

As you do your research, good note taking will help you organize your paper. NoodleTools will help you create and organize all your notecards, generate your outline, and create your References list. The notes should be brief and in your own words, unless you are writing down a quotation (a group of words taken from a text that you will use verbatim in your paper). Noodletools allows you to include a quote from the source, mark up the quote, and then paraphrase/summarize it all in one notecard.

Be sure to consult the Term Paper Resources webpage for tutorials on using NoodleTools. Consult the Term Paper Workbook for sample notecards.

How to use NoodleToolsFirst, create a project. Then, share your project in my dropbox: Eng11 Term Paper 2017-18.

You’ll create three types of entries on NoodleTools: a citation or source entry, quote cards, and content cards.

Each notecard should have one piece of information on it. Think of notecards as puzzle pieces that you will move around until you have all the information in the order you want it for your paper. Your “pieces” or “units” of information might vary in size, but be sure one notecard only contains information that you know will stay together in one paragraph of your paper.

Be sure to consult the sample notecards in your workbook so that you know what you should include.

Start your project by creating a citation on the Sources page on NoodleTools.1. Be sure to choose the correct citation type.2. Fill in all the information you can find, especially the basics like title, author, date, and URL. What

you fill in depends on the type of source. DOI and Accession Number are less commonly available and less important.

3. For articles from an online database, include the database name, and a URL or permalink.4. Each notecard MUST be linked to an existing source entry/citation.5. Linking notecards to bibliography/reference entries is essential to being able to correctly cite your

sources in the text.6. Remember, you need 8-10 QUALITY sources of information for your paper. Exactly how many

sources you have and whether they are books, magazine/newspaper articles, or reliable websites depends on your topic. (If you use a whole book, it counts as 1.5-2 sources. You should have no more than 10 sources.) The most important thing is that you use QUALITY sources. Be sure to consult your teacher with any concerns.

8


There are two kinds of notecards you will create in NoodleTools – see boxes below for details. Clicking “New” next to the Source in your Sources list will create a card linked to that source. ALL

notecards must be linked to their source. You can look at all your notecards in the Sources list or on the Notecard Tabletop. Viewing notecards in

the Sources list allows you to ensure every notecard is linked to its source.

Content Cards include information that you plan to paraphrase (write in your own words) in your paper.1. Be sure your notecard is linked to its source.2. If you’re using an electronic source, start your card by copying and pasting the original information

into the Direct Quotation box – just the part you want to work with on this notecard. It’s great to have your source material included in your notecard in case you have questions when you start writing. (If you’re using a book, you can skip this step.)

3. Next, paraphrase the information using the tips in the handout “Acknowledging, Paraphrasing and Quoting Sources.”

4. Give the notecard a unique title that reflects the card’s content. Eventually, you’ll use the titles to help you organize the notecards into your outline. Titles like “early life 1” and “early life 2” are not as useful or flexible as titles like “birth” and “parents.”

5. Use tags to brainstorm subtopics that will eventually match your outline, then pile your notecards.a. For example, if your paper is on ice fishing, all notecards on lures should be tagged “lures.”

You could also add tags for the different types of lures, like “fish” or “artificial.” Tags help describe your notecards in a variety of ways. This will help you see patterns and relationships as you organize your material.

b. Use multiple tags for each card – other cards can have the same tags.c. As you figure out your organizational method, you can put notecards in piles on the tabletop

based on the tags they have in common. Each pile will then be dragged to the appropriate section of the outline.

6. Always include page number (p.) or paragraph number (para.) on every notecard. Having this information is essential to being able to correctly cite your sources in the text.

Quote cards include information from your source that you’d like to use word-for-word.1. You are required to identify 5-8 direct quotations that you will use in your paper. 2. Consult the handout “Acknowledging, Paraphrasing, and Quoting Sources” for the four reasons for

quoting – use these guidelines to help you select appropriate quotes.3. Statistics and numbers don’t need to be placed in quotation marks and are not considered

appropriate material for quote cards.4. The quote card should include the direct quotation in the Direct Quotation box.5. The Paraphrase box should include a sentence in which you practice working the quote smoothly

into your own text. 6. Consult the handout “Acknowledging, Paraphrasing, and Quoting Sources” for directions on using

a signal and assertion to smoothly integrate the quote. Quotes should not be simply dumped into your text to stand alone.

7. Quote Cards MUST be tagged “quote” (no variation) or they won’t count as quote cards.8. Like content cards, quote cards need a unique title, tags related to content, and page or paragraph

number. Be sure quote cards are linked to their source.9. DO NOT get your quotes from a quote website like Brainy Quote – quotes should come from the

books and articles you are using for your research.

9


How to choose direct quotations to use in your paperUse a direct quotation when you want to borrow material word-for-word from one of your sources. According to the handout “Acknowledging, Paraphrasing, and Quoting Sources,” there are four reasons to use a direct quotation:

To show that an authority supports your point To present a position or argument to critique or comment on To include especially moving or historically significant language To present a particularly well-stated passage whose meaning would be lost or changed if paraphrased or

summarized

How do you find quotations that support your points or present historically significant language? You find them in your sources: the books, magazine articles, and/or newspaper articles that you are reading in order to learn about your topic. Quality sources that go in-depth on your topic will be the best sources of information for you to paraphrase and to quote. Generalized websites or encyclopedia articles may not have sufficient depth.

As with all of your notecards, the starting point should be your research question: what do you hope to learn about your topic? What do you hope to demonstrate in your paper? Which information in the article or book you are reading will best help you communicate something important about your topic?

As you read and compile notecards, remember the four reasons above to help you identify the material you might want to borrow word for word instead of paraphrasing.

Quotes should be short – no more than one sentence, and you will weave the quotes into your text. Consult the handout “Acknowledging, Paraphrasing, and Quoting Sources” for more information and examples of how to write an appropriate paraphrase and how to work a quote into your text.

Quotes should not stand alone in your paper; they should be incorporated into your own sentences. They also need to be cited in APA format. If the person you are quoting is not the author of the article or

book, then you’ll identify the speaker in your sentence as you introduce the quote. However, the in-text citation always refers to the author of the book or article.

DO NOT merely Google your topic with the word “quote” and try to use quotations from BrainyQuote or some similar quotation collection. Not only do these sites often make mistakes in quoting and attributing the quotes correctly, they are also merely lists of quotes taken out of context. They are not quality sources and they are not appropriate for a serious research project.

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A Guide to the Research PaperHow will Reference entries and notecards be graded?1. See rubric for details, e.g. how many references, quote cards and content cards are required, what to include

on each one, etc.2. References and notecards will be graded in NoodleTools AS IS on each due date. They will not be re-

graded.3. On the first due date, also known as the 50% notecard grade, you should be about HALFWAY or 50%

finished with your research. a. Your teacher will give you feedback through the comments in NoodleTools. You are expected to

make all corrections before the second (100%) due date. b. Once the notecards are graded the first time, you should prioritize making the requested corrections

BEFORE you continue with your research and/or writing.4. The second due date, also known as the 100% notecard grade, will be the final chance for you to earn points

on your notecards and references. a. Your teacher will give feedback through the comments in NoodleTools.b. You MUST make the requested corrections to the References so that you will:

i. have a correct References list on your rough draft; andii. be able to create correct in-text citations on your rough draft.

c. At this point in your process, you needn’t make corrections to notecards unless it helps you write the rough draft. You will not be able to earn any further points on notecards.

Remember: You may feel that you’re spending too much time on research and wonder whether you’ll have enough time to write your paper. However, investing the time now to make clear, well-documented notes in your own words and to organize those notes into an effective outline will save you lots of time when you start writing.

Your ideas will flow more quickly if you’ve done the work to understand the information and write it in your own words. All of this thinking and exploring will help you find your unique angle on the topic, so that you don’t accidentally plagiarize your sources.

If your outline is thorough and correct, you will be able to write a lot of your paper (including in-text citations) in one sitting, without interruptions to look up quotations or hunt down page numbers or citation information. In other words, most (85%) of the time you spend on this project will be on reading and taking notes.

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A Guide to the Research PaperNotecards Grading Rubric (Writing 7, 8, 9)Notecards will be created in NoodleTools. They will be graded on the due date AS IS. Notecards will not be re-graded.Requirement 1st due date

Points2nd due date

PointsBibliography/reference entries Number: Min. 5, max. 10

1st due date: 2nd due date: (min. 3) (min. 5)

Format: Each entry has complete bibliographic information, including (where applicable) author, title, publication title, date, publisher, URL, etc.Quality: high quality sources of information, e.g. books, newspapers, magazines, and high quality websites.

Aiming high: For full points, include 7-10 sources (2nd due date only)

3

3

4

Total of 10

4

4

4

3Total of 15

Content Cards Number: Min. 15, max. 25


Format: Each card is labeled with a unique title/topic and tagged with some

subtopics Each card is linked to its bibliography/reference entry Each card includes page or paragraph number Only one piece of information or one quotation is included on each

cardQuality: Quotes (if used) are carefully chosen for relevance; paraphrases are accurate to the quotations and relevant to the topic.

Aiming high: For full points, create 16-25 notecards (2nd due date only)

6

7

7

Total of 20

7

8

8

7Total of 30

Quote Cards Number: Min. 5, max. 10


Format: Each card is labeled with a unique title/topic and tagged with some

subtopics; also tag with “quote” to specify that this is a quote card. Each card is linked to its bibliography/reference entry Each card includes page or paragraph number Only one quotation is included on each card

Quality: Quotes are carefully chosen according to one of the four reasons, and are not too long (no more than one sentence). Student has drafted a sentence to use the quote in and has woven the quote smoothly into the sentence.

Aiming high: For full points, create 7-10 quote cards (2nd due date only)

3

3

4

Total of 10

4

4

4

3Total of 15

TOTAL 100

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A Guide to the Research PaperStep 4 and 5: Outlining (Writing 7, 8, 9)4. Use of Information – continuing research4.1 Engage (e.g., read, hear, view, touch)4.2 Extract relevant information

5. Synthesis - Outline5.1 Organize from multiple sources5.2 Present the information

Once you have done some research, decide which three to five main ideas you will use in your paper. Next, organize these main points in the order you want to discuss them in your paper, and write a thesis statement to express these main points. The outline and thesis statement form a plan that will help guide the rest of your research. You may need to revise the plan as you complete your research and prepare to write. You may feel you’ve spent too much time in the research and outlining steps; however, the writing portion will go more quickly if you’ve been careful and thorough in your research and notetaking.

Now you need to start putting your outline together. Remember that with an outline, if you sub-divide a topic, you must divide it into at least two unique parts: if you have an “A”, you must have a “B” and if you have a “1” you must have a “2”, etc. You’ll create your outline in NoodleTools.

Consider this outline for a short paper on the advantages and disadvantages of military life.

I. IntroductionA. Military heritage and tradition B. Thesis Statement: Although military discipline can be annoying, pay can be low, and the

nature of a military life is hard on one’s family and social life, life in the military also means job security, paid annual leave, and opportunities for promotion.

II. Living conditionsA. Disadvantages

1. Discipline often annoying2. Frequent moves hard on soldier’s family3. Social life restricted to a small circle

B. Advantages1. Opportunity to find a job2. Annual leaves with pay

III. Financial considerationsA. Disadvantages

1. Low pay2. Frequent entertaining expensive

B. Advantages1. Security2. Slow but steady promotion

IV. Conclusion

This short paper’s introduction and thesis statement could be the following:America has a rich military heritage and tradition. While life in the military is often looked at through a romantic and unrealistic view point by outsiders, the reality is very different. Although military discipline can be annoying, pay can be low, and the nature of a military life is hard on one’s family and social life, life in the military also means job security, paid annual leave, and opportunities for promotion.

13

A Guide to the Research PaperThesis

The thesis statement tells your reader what to expect. It sums up what the entire paper is about. It is a plan for your paper and connects the central idea to the list of topics in your paper. The thesis will be stated in the introduction and restated in the conclusion.Example:

Central Idea TopicsCults are dangerous. 1. Vulnerable teenagers

2. Easy answers to life’s tough questions3. Carefully controlled addiction

Thesis: Cults are dangerous because they use the vulnerability of teenagers, they provide easy answers to life’s tough questions, and they carefully control addiction.

The thesis statement should be the last sentence (or two) of your first paragraph (or introduction)!

Graphic organizers often help with narrowing down which main ideas or sub-topics of your subject you want to discuss in your paper, and therefore, must mention in your thesis. Noodle Tools is also a great way to organize your ideas!

The introduction and thesis statement are often compared to a funnel. You start with broad and general statements in the first couple sentences and then get more and more specific, until you get to the last sentence of the introduction, which specifically states the exact purpose and topic of the paper.

14

A Guide to the Research PaperRubric for Outline (Writing 7, 8, 9)

Your outline will be created in NoodleTools. On the due date, it will be graded AS IS. Outlines will not be re-graded.Requirement PointsOne item or idea per number or letter 6

Two levels (min.) per unit – each Roman numeral must have some sub-points; if you have an A, you must have a B; if you have a 1, you must have a 2, etc. Your first Roman numeral must be the introduction (include A for attention grabber and B for thesis) and your last Roman numeral must be the conclusion.

6

Notecards are dragged onto the appropriate section of the outline.

6

Grammatically correct with parallel structure 6

Outline is adequate and not overly extensive; 3-5 main points develop thesis statement; sub-points develop main points

6

Thesis statement is included in introduction (first Roman numeral)

20

TOTALComments

of 50

15


Step 5 and 6: Rough Draft (Writing 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9; Language 1, 2, 6)5. Synthesis – Rough Draft5.1 Organize from multiple sources5.2 Present the information6. Evaluation – Rough Draft6.1 Judge the product (effectiveness)6.2 Judge the process (efficiency)

No matter how sure you are of your material, the first writing should never be the final draft. The beginning of the paper is often the most difficult. If you “get stuck” skip the first few sentences and just start writing where you feel comfortable. Be sure to read and reread your paper several times, making improvements each time, before submitting your rough draft. Investing the time to make the rough draft the best it can be will save you time on the final.

Be sure to include your in-text citations AS YOU WRITE the draft. Some people think writing the paper first and adding the citations later will be quicker or easier BUT IT WILL NOT.

In order to earn up to 100 points for your rough draft, ALL of the following requirements must be met. Consult the attached rubric for more details.Format Requirements

Paper must consist of (in order) title page, body of paper, and References page. The rough draft must be typed, 12 pt. Times New Roman font, double spaced, with 1” margins. Pages must be numbered, starting with the title page. There must be a title on both the title page and on page 2 (the first page of the body of the paper). In addition, the title must be in the header with the page numbers. References page must be in correct APA format. Paper will not be graded if References page is missing. (see

sample below) Title page must be in correct APA format. (see sample below) You must upload your rough draft to Turnitin.com in the “Junior Term Paper” inbox. Papers not uploaded to

Turnitin will not be graded.

Content Requirements1. Do you have a good introduction – an attention grabber that engages your reader? 2. Do you have a solid thesis and do you follow it in your paper? What are you saying about your topic3. What ideas, details or sources are most important to include – and how do those you include build on each other

to create a unified whole?4. How do you vary the syntax and use transitions to join important sections of the text and improve cohesion and

clarity among significant ideas?5. Be sure your language is objective and formal – no first or second person, and no slang!6. Do you have at least one citation per paragraph, and do they correlate exactly with your reference page? Papers

without citations will be considered plagiarized and will not be graded.7. Do you have at least five quotations in the paper? Have you used, punctuated, and cited the quotes correctly

(citations for quotations must include page [p.] or paragraph [para.] number)?8. Is the paper long enough (4-6 pages, not counting title and References)?9. What are the main ideas you discuss or emphasize in the conclusion – and how do those relate with all that came

before them?10. Papers without correct in-text citations and/or References list will be considered plagiarized and will not be

graded. Your teacher can help you with your in-text citations and References list. You will not pass second semester of English 11 if you do not complete all parts of the term paper.

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Tips for Polishing your Rough Draft (Writing 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9; Language 1-3)

Read your paper out loud to avoid clumsy and poor wording. Check for accuracy in spelling, punctuation, sentences, etc. Avoid fragments, comma splices, and run-

ons. NO slang terms or first or second person (I, me, my, we, us, our, you, your). Each paragraph should have a topic sentence. Join paragraphs by connecting the topic for the new paragraph with the topic of the preceding paragraph. Generally, no abbreviations should be used. Exceptions are: Mr., Mrs., Dr. Don’t call anyone by their first name – this is a formal research paper and you are not their buddy! Refer

to someone with their whole name first (e.g., Ernest Hemingway) and after that by their last name (Hemingway). You may use first names to eliminate confusion among people with the same last name.

Spell out numbers that are under ten or use only one word (e.g. eight, forty), and use numerals for those of two digits or more, or more than one word (e.g. 15, 75). Streets and telephone numbers should never be spelled out. Dates should be written in numbers (e.g. January 25) except when the day of the month comes before the name of the month (e.g. the twenty-fifth of January).

In APA style, all pages are numbered, included the title page and reference page. Put the page numbers in the upper right hand corner, preceded by your paper’s title (this handbook uses APA style page numbering). Use the “Insert” menu.

Consult the handout “Acknowledging, Paraphrasing, and Quoting Sources” and be sure to use, punctuate, and cite quotations and other information from your sources correctly.

-Technical difficulties? Work and think ahead – ask for help early and often. Be prepared to hand it in on time.

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APA Title Page (Writing 8)

Below is a sample title page – note that title and page number are in header. Title, name, etc. are approximately in the middle to bottom of page. Exact positions are somewhat flexible – make the page look nice. Don’t use any fancy fonts, and use only 12 point font. Be sure to spell out the date, as seen in the example.

Modern America 1

The Rise of Modern America

Ludmilla Wagner

English 11

Ms. Morris

Lake Mills High School

March 15, 2013

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Apes and Language 11

References

Begley, S. (1998, January 19). Aping language. Newsweek, 131, 56-58.Booth, W. (1990, October 29). Monkeying with language: Is chimp using words or

merely aping handlers? The Washington Post, p. A3.Fouts, R. (1997). Next of kin: What chimpanzees have taught me about who we are.

New York: William Morrow.O’Sullivan, C., & Yeager, C. P. (1989). Communicative context and linguistic

competence: The effect of social setting on a chimpanzee’s conversational skill. In R. A. Gardner, B. T. Gardner, & T. E. Van Cantfort (Eds.), Teaching sign language to

chimpanzees (pp. 269-279). Albany: SUNY Press.Savage-Rumbaugh, E. S., Murphy, J. S., Sevcik, R. A., Brakke, K. E., Williams, S. L.,

Rumbaugh, D. M., et al. (2000). Language comprehension in ape and child: Monograph. Atlanta, GA: Language Research Center. Retrieved January 6, 2000, from the Language

Research Center Web site: http://www.gsu.edu/~wwwlrc/monograph.html


APA Citations (Writing 8)

There are several forms of citation and research paper formatting. In previous classes, you have used MLA. For this paper, you will be using the APA formatting rules.

The following is an example of a correctly formatted APA reference page.

*Notice:1. The Reference Page starts on a new page. Use a page break to ensure this (Insert -> Page Break)2. Entries are double spaced throughout with a ½” hanging indent (Use Paragraph menu). (NoodleTools will

format correctly for you.)3. The entries are not numbered but are alphabetically ordered. 4. The title is centered (no fancy font), and the page is numbered.5. References cited in the text of your paper must appear in the reference list; conversely, each entry in the

reference list must be cited in the text.

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Exporting your References list from NoodleTools

Adding your source list to your research paperWhen you are satisfied that your source list is accurate and complete, you can import it into your word processing program and add it to the end of your research paper.

Note: Formatting will be lost if you attempt to copy and paste your source list from the NoodleTools screen to your document.

Exporting as a Word paper1. On the Bibliography screen, click the Print/Export button and choose Print/Export to Word from the options

listed. While Microsoft Word is often used, source lists can be opened in any word processor that supports the RTF file format standard (nearly all word processors do).

2. A screen titled Export as RTF/Open in Word will be displayed, followed by one of these three events:a. If your computer is configured to open Word or another word processing program automatically,

your source list may immediately open within that word processor. This may or may not be the word processor that you have used to write the rest of your research paper. Regardless, to save the source list, use that word processor’s File -> Save as mechanism to save the document as you wish (for example, in Word, as a .doc or .docx file), to a location on your computer or network that you will remember.

b. If your browser is configured to prompt you before opening the file, a browser pop-up window will appear asking you whether you would like to save or open the file. Select the option to save the file and save it as an RTF file to a location on your computer or network that you will remember.

c. A security message may notify you that the browser has blocked the site from downloading the file. Click the message and allow the download, then follow options 1 or 2 above.

3. Now that the source list has been saved to your computer, open both your research paper and the new file that contains your source list. Copy and paste your source list from its word processing document to the end of your research paper in the second word processing document. You must begin your source list on a new page, not on the last page of your research paper. Use a page break.

Exporting as a Google Docs paper1. On the Bibliography screen, click the Print/Export button.2. Click Print/Export to Google Docs.3. A new window will be opened prompting you to sign in with your Google Account. If no window appears,

disable your pop-up blocker and retry.4. When you log in, NoodleTools will request access to your Google Account. Click Grant access button. Your

source list will appear in a Google Docs paper.5. Copy and paste your source list from its window/tab to the end of your research paper in the second

window/tab of your browser. You must begin your source list on a new page, not on the last page of your research paper. Use a page break.

For more help: http://www.noodletools.com/noodlebib/usersguide/

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Step 6: Final Copy (Writing 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9; Language 1-3)

6. Evaluation – Final Copy6.1 Judge the product (effectiveness)6.2 Judge the process (efficiency)

The Final Copy

Follow these rules while revising your papers:

1. You are expected to strengthen the writing as needed by editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach if needed.

2. Login to your Turnitin account to read the feedback on your rough draft. It will be graded according to the same rubric as the final copy, so you’ll have a good idea what grade your final copy might earn.

3. Read all feedback carefully. Make all requested revisions. If you don’t make the requested revisions, your grade will automatically be dropped by one letter grade (e.g. a B will become a C).

4. Papers without correct in-text citations and/or References list will be considered plagiarized and will not be graded. Your teacher can help you with your in-text citations and References list. You will not pass the semester of English 11 if you do not complete all parts of the term paper.

5. After you’ve made all the requested revisions, upload your paper into the “Term Paper: Revision 1” inbox on Turnitin.com.

Both the rough draft and the final copy will be graded according to the rubric on the next page. Each criterion will be scored according to the 10-point scale and weighted as indicated on the rubric.

10 (A) to 9 (A-)Independent & Proficient

10: Wow! Student fully independently understands all aspects of the assignment and submits impressive work as evidence the first time.

9.5 to 9: Student is proficient in understanding all aspects of the assignment and submits acceptable work as evidence.

8.5 (B) to 8 (B-)Approaching Proficient

8.5 to 8: Student is approaching proficiency, understands most aspects of the assignment, and submits acceptable work as evidence.

For students who re-submit or retake assessment: (9.5 to 8): Assignment was corrected, resubmitted, and student is now proficient or is approaching proficiency.

7.5 (C) to 6 (D)Basic Understanding

7.5 to 7: Student has basic understanding of some aspects of the assignment but would require some additional re-teaching.

6.5 to 6: Student struggles with all or almost all aspects of the assignment, requires significant guidance, and/or has presented little evidence of understanding.

5.5 (F) to 0 (F)Minimal to No Evidence

5.5: Student has minimal understanding of the assignment and presented minimal evidence of understanding.

5 to 0: Student presented no evidence to assess. Assignment was not turned in.

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Rubric for Final ProductEach item will be graded according to the standard 10-point rubric and weighted as indicated.

Criteria Standard Description/tipsTerm paper descriptionNo points – this is your overall task, broken down in the rows below.

Writing 2Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.

Write an informational paper Convey something important about your topic Choose the important details to include Organize logically Analyze the details to draw conclusions about

your topic Introduction, Organization, Clarity(Weighted x2)

a. Introduce a topic; organize complex ideas, concepts and information so that each new element builds on the one before to create a unified whole. (Also see Writing 4)

Write an engaging introduction with a clear, well-written thesis statement

Organize your ideas logically so they build up to your main conclusion

Evidence/supporting details & Length(Weighted x3)

b. Develop the topic thoroughly by selecting the most significant and relevant facts, extended definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples appropriate to the audience’s knowledge of the topic. (Also see Writing 9)

Explore your topic thoroughly Include information that proves your thesis Include different types of details (see left for

examples) Write at least 4 pages of high quality material

(max. 6 pages)Transitions c. Use appropriate and varied transitions and syntax

to link the major sections of the text, create cohesion, and clarify the relationships among complex ideas and concepts.

Use transition words and phrases to show how the ideas work together and to bring the ideas together smoothly

Vocabulary & Style d. Use precise language, domain-specific vocabulary, and techniques such as metaphor, simile and analogy to manage the complexity of the topic. (Also see Language 6)e. Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone while attending to the norms and conventions of the discipline in which they are writing.

Learn & use higher level vocabulary Learn & use topic-specific vocabulary Use language techniques to make the

information understandable No first/second person No slang, no abbreviations Refer to people by last name, not first name Use in-text citations in correct APA format Include a References list in correct APA

formatConclusion f. Provide a concluding statement or section that

follows from and supports the information or explanation presented (e.g. explaining implications or the significance of the topic).

Conclusions in each paragraph or section should be supported by the details included

Concluding paragraph needs to sum up all the ideas and explain the importance of your topic

Sources: quality, number integration, citation(Weighted x3)

Writing 8Gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print and digital sources, using advanced searches effectively; assess the strengths and limitations of each source in terms of the task, purpose, and audience; integrate information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and overreliance on any one source and following a standard format for citation.

Required: 5-10 QUALITY sources of information

Use mostly books, magazines, newspapers as well as some websites

Work the research information smoothly into your paper

Don’t plagiarize: quote and cite information using in-text citations in correct APA format

Include a References list in correct APA format

Grammar Language 1Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing.Language 2Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.

Use correct grammar in your writing Use correct capitalization, punctuation and

spelling in your writing

Total: 120 points converted to a 125 point grade for the rough draft and a 200 point grade for the final.

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