English

by


Research Paper Guidelines

Research Paper Instructions:

Select a research question.

prepare an essay of argumentation that focuses on some aspect of the issue.  Remember—you must take a position about this issue and you MUST include a clear claim that centers on your position.  Place the claim as the last sentence of the introductory paragraph.

Guidelines:

  • Your research project essay will need to be between eight (full) to ten pages in length.
  • You must address an issue that has at least two sides (email me for topics if you’re not sure)
  • Effectively address the rhetorical situation – audience, purpose, context
  • articulate a clear position regarding the issue and argue that position with logical reasons
  • adequately develop the argument using credible support (research)
  • acknowledge the opposing viewpoints and employ counterargument or concession
  • identify and explain the assumptions, contexts, and consequences of the various positions.
  • Utilize at least 10 credible sources – from scholarly databases, books, etc. (no google .com sources)
  • MLA formatting
  • Read and carefully follow all of the guidelines for MLA on the purdue OWL website.
    https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/
  • You will need to incorporate 10 outside sources (Note: dictionary.com does not constitute a source. into the essay—use paraphrase and/or direct quotations).  From these sources at least 4 need to be books and the rest may be database articles, documentaries, etc.
  • You will need a Works Cited page at the end of your essay that includes the 8 – 10 sources.
  • Follow these style specifics:
    • Only write in third person
    • Do not use contractions
    • Follow all MLA guidelines

Research:

Your research will be for the following reasons:

  • To establish background or preliminary information.
  • To support an assertion with facts, statistics, or professional information.
  • To exemplify an idea with testimony, examples, and the like.
  • To support the claim

Process:

  • Select a topic that you will enjoy researching and writing about
  • Read and explore this topic carefully—what are the positions already expressed about this issue?
  • Select a specific position that you will assert in your claim.  This will be a working claim that can evolve with your research and growing understanding of your topic.
  • Begin prewriting activities (i.e., brainstorming to find out everything you already know about this topic, asking questions, further researching this topic)
  • Research extensively: include citations or paraphrases.  Vary your resources. Do not depend solely on Internet resources—points will be deducted for not using other resources such as books, handbooks, journal articles.
  • Limit web resources to those that include one of these suffixes: edu, .gov., or .org (unbiased).  For any other Internet resources, discuss with me before using.
  • Wikipedia is not an acceptable website for this paper.

 

Other guidelines:

  • For this paper you must use at least 10 outside sources (Note: dictionary.com does not count as a source).
  • A clear claim needs to be composed
  • Present at least three reasons to show the logic of your position.  Develop each reason thoroughly.
  • Write in third person (he, she, him, her, his, hers, they, their, them, etc.)  NO first or second person.
  • Works Cited—this is part of the document and should appear as the last page of the document. Document the sources and place in alphabetical order.