January 23 ... Research Paper Intro and Topic Selection

TODAY ...

• Intro and discuss layered research paper requirements (on the purple-ish handouts in class AND posted below)

• Review the list of possible topics and, using ProCon.org do enough research today to fill out the chart on the back of the list of possible topics.  You will be assigned one of the three (and I will try to get everyone their first choice ... however, there will not be more than one student in a class period per topic ... so make sure your second and third choices are of interest to you as well.

• Your list of options is due today - you will receive them back tomorrow with your topic assignment.  Order of selection will be random, so take your time with it today - but make sure it is turned in.

ENGLISH IV RESEARCH PAPER

Argument of a Controversial Issue

This research paper focuses on an issue of controversy present in today’s society.  The topic list is an extensive list of what our library has available, but if you would like to choose a topic that is not on the list, you must provide evidence that it meets the criteria on the bottom of the topic sheet. 

With this project, you have the choice of how much work you are willing to do; you must meet all of the requirements for each portion of the project to be eligible for that grade.  NOTE: meeting the requirements DOES NOT GUARANTEE that you will earn the maximum points, only that you are eligible for those points.

A LAYER REQUIREMENTS

The maximum number of points for each of the following requirements is 100 points.

1.      6-7 sources minimum – you may only use 1 internet source (website).  Databases (EBSCO, GALE, etc.) and reputable newspaper websites or organizations (i.e. the New York Times or the National Rifle Association’s websites) do not count towards your “internet” sources, despite the fact that they are online.  All sources should be database, book, magazine or newspaper articles, or reputable organizations that relate to your topic.  (In other words, you should not need to employ the rule of only 1 internet source, because all your sources should fall into the above category.)

2.      REMEMBER: you must address both sides of your issue, so you need to find information that supports the side you are arguing for, and the side you are arguing against.

3.      65+ notecards in proper format, including coding.

-Complete 35-40 note cards outlining “your” side of the issue – try to include as many facts that help to support your argument as possible.  Make sure all facts are accurate by double-checking their accuracy between sources.

-Complete -25-30 note cards outlining the opposing viewpoint of your issue.  Yes, you must research the other side of this issue in order to effectively argue why you have your view.  THIS SECTION IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THE SUCCESS OF YOUR PAPER.  You may not get exactly 25-30 per side, but the important point is that you do a legitimate background investigation of your opposing viewpoint.

4.      This paper has a requirement of 1,000-1,300 words.

5.      Other requirements:

-An outline with topics and subtopics listed

-Works Cited page written in Modern American Language (MLA) format

B LAYER REQUIREMENTS

The maximum number of points for each of the following requirements is 89 points.

1.      5 sources minimum – you may only use 1 internet source (website).  Databases (EBSCO, GALE, etc.) and reputable newspaper websites or organizations (i.e. the New York Times or the National Rifle Association’s websites) do not count towards your “internet” sources, despite the fact that they are online.  All sources should be database, book, magazine or newspaper articles, or reputable organizations that relate to your topic.  (In other words, you should not need to employ the rule of only 1 internet source, because all your sources should fall into the above category.)

2.      REMEMBER: you must address both sides of your issue, so you need to find information that supports the side you are arguing for, and the side you are arguing against.

3.      60-64 note cards in proper format, including coding.

-Complete 30-35 note cards outlining “your” side of the issue – try to include as many facts that help to support your argument as possible.  Make sure all facts are accurate by double-checking their accuracy between sources.

-Complete -20-25 note cards outlining the opposing viewpoint of your issue.  Yes, you must research the other side of this issue in order to effectively argue why you have your view.  THIS SECTION IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THE SUCCESS OF YOUR PAPER.  You may not get exactly 25-30 per side, but the important point is that you do a legitimate background investigation of your opposing viewpoint.

6.      This paper has a requirement of 801-999 words.

7.      Other requirements:

-An outline with topics and subtopics listed

-Works Cited page written in Modern American Language (MLA) format

C LAYER REQUIREMENTS

The maximum number of points for each of the following requirements is 79 points.

4.      3-4 sources minimum – you may only use 1 internet source (website).  Databases (EBSCO, GALE, etc.) and reputable newspaper websites or organizations (i.e. the New York Times or the National Rifle Association’s websites) do not count towards your “internet” sources, despite the fact that they are online.  All sources should be database, book, magazine or newspaper articles, or reputable organizations that relate to your topic.  (In other words, you should not need to employ the rule of only 1 internet source, because all your sources should fall into the above category.)

5.      REMEMBER: you must address both sides of your issue, so you need to find information that supports the side you are arguing for, and the side you are arguing against.

6.      50-59 note cards in proper format, including coding.

-Complete 30-35 note cards outlining “your” side of the issue – try to include as many facts that help to support your argument as possible.  Make sure all facts are accurate by double-checking their accuracy between sources.

-Complete -20-25 note cards outlining the opposing viewpoint of your issue.  Yes, you must research the other side of this issue in order to effectively argue why you have your view.  THIS SECTION IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THE SUCCESS OF YOUR PAPER.  You may not get exactly 25-30 per side, but the important point is that you do a legitimate background investigation of your opposing viewpoint.

8.      This paper has a requirement of 700-800 words.

9.      Other requirements:

-An outline with topics and subtopics listed

-Works Cited page written in Modern American Language (MLA) format