Junior Research Paper Requirements
Goals: The following standards from the Common Core Curriculum are met throughout the research paper process:
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.1 Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.1a Introduce precise, knowledgeable claim(s), establish the significance of the claim(s), distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims, and create an organization that logically sequences claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.1b Develop claim(s) and counterclaims fairly and thoroughly, supplying the most relevant evidence for each while pointing out the strengths and limitations of both in a manner that anticipates the audience’s knowledge level, concerns, values, and possible biases.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.1c Use words, phrases, and clauses as well as varied syntax to link the major sections of the text, create cohesion, and clarify the relationships between claim(s) and reasons, between reasons and evidence, and between claim(s) and counterclaims.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.1d Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone while attending to the norms and conventions of the discipline in which they are writing.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.1e Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.5 Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.6 Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products in response to ongoing feedback, including new arguments or information.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.8 Gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print and digital sources, using advanced searches effectively; assess the strengths and limitations of each source in terms of the task, purpose, and audience; integrate information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and overreliance on any one source and following a standard format for citation.
The following are the minimum requirements for the research paper:
LENGTH: 4-8 pages
SOURCES: 5 sources minimum
Acceptable sources include magazines, newspaper articles, books, journals or government documents; all sources will come from NC Wise Owl’s search engine, or may be a .org, a .gov or .edu web page
You may only use 2 websites that are not .org or .edu
NO Wikipedia, please!
Specific Guidelines:
· Formal title page
· Outline
· Four to eight pages, double-spaced, twelve point font (Times New Roman).
· Five sources minimum. Use a variety of sources. Work with both primary and secondary sources of information when conducting research. Primary sources include interviews, observations and questionnaires.
· Parenthetical documentation: MLA style documentation suggests giving credit in the body of your research paper rather than in footnotes or endnotes. To give credit, simply insert the appropriate information (usually author’s last name) in parenthesis after the works or ideas borrowed from another source. Place them where a pause would naturally occur to avoid disrupting the flow of your writing (usually at the end of a sentence). Make sure all of your sources are listed on the Works Cited page. Use the Citation Machine at http://citationmachine.net/ for assistance.
· Works Cited Page
· The body of your paper will include at least one student-generated visual aid (i.e. diagrams, charts, graphs, pictures, graphic organizers) to emphasize important content.
· Proof of information you’ve gathered will be submitted in the form of some sort of note taking. You will complete five graphic organizers, one for each of your five sources.
· A rough draft must be turned in and will be corrected by your teacher. You will be required to keep your rough draft and submit it in your senior year as part of your Project Portfolio.
GRADING: 1/4 Mechanics
1/4 Format
1/4 Content
1 /4 Deadlines Grade
MECHANICS: A minimum penalty of 1 point will be assessed for each error (misspelled words, punctuation, run-ons, fragments, etc.)
FORMAT: Length 20
Title Page 10
Outline 10
Works cited page 10
Parenthetical Documentation 30
Font & Size 10
Page Numbers 10
CONTENT: Thesis 15
Evidence and Evaluation 70
Conclusion 15
No final copy will be graded until the following are turned in:
- one marked and graded rough drafts
- research folder containing ALL research information
You must keep all work you do. Do not throw away anything until the final paper has been graded and returned to you. Note cards will constitute a separate grade, but a good paper will require meeting the criteria for note cards.
NO LATE PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Final copy due at the end of English class on ______