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Paper Expectations
ESPM 120
Fall 2007
"A research paper is exactly that: a paper written to reflect a search that will present information to support a point of view on a particular topic" - P. Berge and C. L. Saffioti, Basic College Research (Neal-Schuman, New York, 1987).
In the paper you should explorea topic related to soil science, going into more detail than what was covered in class and providing evidence answering a question, argument, or hypothesis. You should do additional reading and original analysis, i.e. I expect you to spend some time in the library finding primary (journal articles) and secondary (textbooks, websites, etc.) sources. Critically analyze, interpret, and evaluate the information; i.e. provide more than just a summary of what you have read. This way you can demonstrate that you understand the context and problems associated with your topic.
Suggested Timeline
Note: the only ones I’ll ask to see are the topic selection (1) and the final version (6). However, if at any time you have a question, or would like advice, or for me to read a portion of what you’ve written I would be happy to do so.
1) Pick a topicNovember 16th
2) Dig into literature/collect information
3) Formulate hypothesis/argument/question
4) Develop outline
5) Write paper(revise, edit, proofread)
6) Finalize and hand inDecember 3rd
Logistics
+4-6 pages
+ double spaced
+ 12 pt font
+ 1 inch margins
Organization
+ provide background/introduction to put the ideas into context
+ make a clear thesis statement, question, or purpose
+ provide supporting evidence
+ summarize your findings
Include:
Title page (with title, your name, date, class)
Introduction
Body
Conclusion/Summary
References (choose a style and be consistent)
General Grading Rubric:
Paper in this Category / Central Idea / Organization / Sentence Structure / Grammar, Spelling PunctuationEXCELLENT PAPER
A
(90 - 100) / Contains a central idea, clearly focused, and with supported concrete, substantial, and relevant details and examples. / Is well developed and well organized; contains coherent and unified paragraphs and effective transitions between ideas. / Contains skillfully constructed sentences, demonstrating syntactic variety. / Is virtually free of errors in mechanics, usage, sentence structure, and diction.
GOOD PAPER
B
(80 - 89) / Contains a central idea, focused and supported with relevant details and examples. / Is generally well developed and well organized, although it may contain minor flaws in organization and/or some transitions may not be effective. / Demonstrates some syntactic variety. / Is generally free from errors in mechanics, usage, sentence structure, and diction.
AVERAGE PAPER
C
(70 - 79) / Contains a central idea, but is vague or too general. The central idea is supported but details may be repetitious or irrelevant. / Is adequately developed and organized, although it may contain some flaws in organization; transitions between ideas are abrupt or monotonous. / Fails to display syntactic variety, although the sentences may be correctly constructed. / May display some errors in mechanics, usage, sentence structure, and diction.
UNACCEPTABLE
D - F
(69- ) / Does not contain a central idea. / Is underdeveloped or developed with irrelevance, redundancy, or inconsistency; paragraphs are incoherent and not unified; presents no clear line of thinking. / Contains poorly constructed sentences. / Displays a pattern of errors suggesting that the writer does not have control over conventions of standard written English.