English III 2011
The “American Dream” Research Paper
Your research task is to answer the following question:
Is the “American Dream” still achievable?
In your paper, you will answer either “yes” or “no” to that question in your thesis statement. You will then research and write about TWO different Americans whose lives support your “yes” or “no” position.
· There can be no duplicates of your chosen Americans within a class. These will be chosen on a first come, first served basis. I have a list of famous Americans, if you need help with your choices.
· You must use at least 4 sources and at least one of these must be a print source, in other words, a non-database source, but you can have more than one from a book! The other sources can all come from the school databases. No straight Internet sources may be used. Only those sources attained through the school’s databases may be used! (This means no Google searches!)
· Your research should focus on:
1. Defining the “American Dream”
In order to prove or disprove if the “American Dream” is still achievable, you must first define the “American Dream.” Research the term, the “American Dream,” and answer the following questions: From where does the term originate? What has it grown to mean? What does it mean for the purposes of your paper?
2. Person #1: Accomplishing the “American Dream”
You will discuss, based on research, if you feel your FIRST person accomplished the “American Dream.” Consider these questions to help guide your research: did they make it out of poverty? Did they achieve great success? If so, how did they achieve this success? How did the opportunities in this country enable this person to achieve something? Would this person have had the same opportunities in another country? This is going to be challenging and will require you to draw conclusions and think critically about the research you’ve found.
3. Person # 2: Accomplishing the “American Dream”
You will discuss, based on research, if you feel your SECOND person accomplished the “American Dream.” Consider these questions to help guide your research: did they make it out of poverty? Did they achieve great success? If so, how did they achieve this success? How did the opportunities in this country enable this person to achieve something? Would this person have had the same opportunities in another country? This is going to be challenging and will require you to draw conclusions and think critically about the research you’ve found.
· The end product will include an introductory paragraph, a minimum of 2 body paragraphs, (at minimum a separate paragraph for each person) and a concluding paragraph all with internal documentation (MLA format) and a works cited page.
First Steps
· After choosing your two people and getting your choices approved, you will be searching for information about the “American Dream” and for information that proves or disproves whether or not your two people accomplished the American Dream.
· You will have to photocopy or print out all information gathered. Copies are 10 cents per page—so bring change for the library. These photocopied pages will be used instead of note cards, and will be turned in early on as part of your research process grade AND must be turned in with the final research project! Using these, I will be able to check for plagiarism of paraphrasing and quotations used within your paper. Research papers will not be accepted without copies of these sources.
· When you locate a source you will use, write down the necessary MLA source information on the actual photocopy/printout. See AIS Research handbook to cite your sources. Use easybib.com, bibme.org, or citationmachine.net to help you create your Works Cited Page. Your final project should include a corrected clean copy of your Works Cited Page, as well as the Rough Draft that I’ve correct (see requirements below).
· You will need to choose 4 highlighter colors and assign one to each of the 4 areas of your paper (one color for your introduction, a second color for your paragraphs dealing with your first person, a third color for your paragraphs dealing with your second person, and a fourth color for your conclusion). Color-code the specific information you find in your photocopies/printouts. I will check for highlighted sources that include all required works cited information for a Research Process grade.
· Then you will create a preliminary typed Works Cited page for a daily grade. I will grade these thoroughly, correcting any errors. Correctly worded Works Cited entries are vital to completing the parenthetical documentation correctly, as well as avoiding plagiarism.
Writing
Once you have your information, have it organized per paragraph (highlighting), and have correctly written work-cited entries, you are ready to begin the first draft OUTLINE. Your outline must be written in complete sentences!
· Roman Numeral I: Introductory Paragraph
A. Begin your paper in an interesting way (hook/lead). This paragraph should introduce your definition of the “American Dream.”
B. The last sentence should be your thesis statement.
· Roman Numeral II: First Body Paragraph(s)
A. Should have a clear topic sentence which introduces your first person.
B. Give a brief biographical sketch of your first person, as it pertains to whether or not they achieved the “American Dream.” Describe in more detail how they did or did not accomplish the “American Dream.” Include paraphrased and quoted material from your sources (the photocopies/printouts). You must have at least 2 quotes and 1 paraphrase. Be sure to document all borrowed information either paraphrased or quoted with proper MLA internal documentation.
C. End this section with some sort of conclusion statement or a transition into your next person.
· Roman Numeral III: Second Body Paragraph(s)
A. Should have a clear topic sentence which introduces your second person.
B. Give a brief biographical sketch of your second person, as it pertains to whether or not they achieved the “American Dream.” Describe in more detail how they did or did not accomplish the American Dream. Include paraphrased and quoted material from your sources (the photocopies/printouts). You must have at least 2 quotes and 1 paraphrase. Be sure to document all borrowed information either paraphrased or quoted with proper MLA internal documentation.
C. End this section with some sort of conclusion statement or a transition into the conclusion paragraph.
· Roman Numeral IV: Concluding Paragraph
A. Review the researched material without being too repetitious and draw logical conclusions about the “American Dream” based on your source material.
B. End the paper in such a way that it seems finished/concluded – not just stopped.
C. Do not include new information in this paragraph.
Documenting
· When you use a source’s exact words, you must use quotation marks, and documentation must be done at the end of any sentence containing a full or even partial direct quotation. If you do not document here it is plagiarism.
· Be sure that when you paraphrase, you use your own words to give the source information. If you use the source’s words – even in part – without using quotation marks, it is plagiarism. Each sentence with paraphrased information must include parenthetical documentation.
· ALL borrowed material MUST be documented – both PARAPHRASED AND QUOTED information
Example Quote:
Martin Luther King left a “legacy of anticipated opportunity” (Smith 3).
Example Paraphrasing:
Martin Luther King was poised to take on a new leadership role as he led non-violent demonstrations on a bus boycott in December 1955 (“King” Encyclopedia 234).
Editing & Revision
· You will self-edit your first draft OUTLINE by completing color-coding steps.
· You will then revise and correct the outline and complete a typed full draft paper. This will not be in outline form. This will be a fully formed, well-developed paper.
· You will participate in peer evaluation of the full draft and will need to have a peer signature on the editing sheet that will be provided. This will be part of a Research Process grade.
Turning It All In
· You must turn in your paper in a folder with pockets and brads.
· ALL process must be included. The order is below:
*Front (left) Pocket – Highlighted sources (photocopies/print outs)
*Brads – Typed final copy with typed final Works Cited page
Times New Roman, Size 12 font & 1.5 or double spacing, 1” margins
*Back (right) Pocket - In the following order:
1. Typed Draft with Corrections, Revisions & Peer Editing Sheet
2. Graded Outline (1st draft)
3. Graded Works Cited Page
Grading: Process Grades & Major Grade
1. Research Process Grade Due Dates:
· Definition of the American Dream ______1 DG
· Highlighted sources w/ MLA info ½ DG
· Typed Works Cited page 1 DG
· Outline With Thesis Statement 1 DG
· Written OR typed 1st draft ______1 DG
· Typed full draft and peer evaluation 2 x DG
· Participation (materials and working every day) ½ DG
2. Final Research Paper and Works Cited 1 MG