M. Hall
English 1301, 1302, 232017 October 2011
Writing a Research Paper
This is an outline. We will discuss each point in class. Take notes. Please follow the attached time line.
Objectives: The student will write a college-level persuasive (state a thesis and then support it) research paper according to the MLA format:
1. Plan a research paper, select and limit a topic, write a preliminary thesis statement, and make a rough outline.
2. Research the topic, employing the ‘net and other sources, and make a working bibliography.
3. Take notes, evaluate sources, and use direct quotations, paraphrases, and summaries.
4. Organize information for a research paper, revise the preliminary thesis statement, make a detailed outline, and take additional notes.
5. Draft and document a research paper.
6. Revise and finish a research paper.
Your usage reference is your textbook’s research writing content, which is based on the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, and on multiple handouts.
GENERAL NOTES:
1. Your complete paper must be computer generated.
2. Each page will have, on average, two relevant direct quotations, properly punctuated and sourced.
3. The minimum number of body pages is 5; the maximum is 10. Double-space, and follow the format in the MLA.
4. I must see your preliminary thesis statement and rough outline.
5. Neatness in the final draft is a sine qua non. This reflects your professionalism
6. Computers behave strangely. Storage devices can be pinched or destroyed, or perhaps the class clown playfully erases weeks’ worth of your work the day before it’s due. Computers fail. Printers fail. Plan ahead. No one can live your life for you; you must anticipate all possible calamities. Make duplicates. Print out parts of your paper as soon as you can, and store them safely.
7. Check your topic with your teacher and have him sign off on it. Make sure you can handle the topic and that there are adequate resources available to you.
8. Your paper must have at least five documented sources (more would be better), including at least one internet source. Actually, all your sources may come from the internet. One repetition of a source is fine, but I do want you to consider a variety of sites. Explore!
9. Writing lab --Hanging around idly with such excuses as “I’m typing it at home” or “I can’t work with all these distractions” will not be accepted. Get busy; this project is more demanding than it might seem.
10. You cannot pass the class without a solid, professional research paper.
12. Use 12-point Verdana.
13. Your completed paper will be stapled neatly, and will be graded as follows:
Body / content 35 points
Bibliography 25 “
Aesthetics (neatness, clean paper, no corrections, no dog-ears, clear typeface, and so on) will be graded subjectively 20 points
MLA 20 points
14. The research paper will be graded holistically, but spelling and usage errors will be penalized at two points each, more if egregious.
15. You will turn in your final draft only.
16. The research paper is 25% of your course grade, but remember that you cannot pass the course without a successful research paper.
17. The research paper is due not later than 5 December, without any exceptions. You were told of the research paper in August, you have heard about the research paper all term, instruction on the research paper began in early October, the assignment was made formally on the 17th of October, and we will have worked on the research paper in almost every class in November; no one can plead any excuse.
18. This isn’t high school.
