Planning a Research Project

Planning a Research Project

You may organize the paper however you wish but I would strongly encourage you to consult the textbook chapter entitled Planning a Research Project. . . .”

 

The text will, in addition to our class activities, walk you through the process of writing an extended paper.

 

Be very careful when documenting works from which you draw information.  There is a chapter in the text on using sources responsibly and MLA will help you avoid accidental plagiarism.  Basically, if you didn’t know something before using the information then you must document that source via MLA (Modern Language Association), which I will teach you.  Please do not use footnotes, endnotes, or APA documentation style.

 

Intentional plagiarism will result in the grade of a *F, the star indicating academic dishonesty, an onus that will appear on your permanent transcript.

 

Please do not be intimidated by writing a long paper—think of it as a regular, 2-page paper you would write, only more detailed.

 

I will grade your research essay on the following criteria:

(1.) The use of a controlling, focused thesis that

(2.) organizes pertinent information to your paper’s topic,

(3.) which should instruct a reader of something new, compelling, or interesting that perhaps he or she did not know before reading your research paper.

(4.) A responsible use of documentation of sources;

(5.) How well you organize your essay;

(6.) A relative freedom from errors in grammar, mechanics, and spelling.