Name:
English IV- British Literature Research Paper
Mrs. Reyes
October 7, 2007
                                                    Senior Research Paper Guidelines (Handout #1)

Requirements:
1.        6 pages minimum
2.        1-3 primary sources
3.        3-5 secondary sources
4.        MLA manuscript form
5.        You must demonstrate that you have moved through the stages of creating this paper yourself.  No one will
be permitted to merely turn in a finished paper without presenting concrete evidence consisting of rough drafts,
evidence of research, etc., along with the final version.
6.        Number of sources from the Internet NOT to exceed three (3).
7.        The focus is on literary analysis, or critical evaluation of a subject, NOT historical or biographical analysis.

                                                                                            Schedule of due dates:


                                              Mon., Oct. 15:                 General area of research (topic) due

                                                Fri., Oct. 19:                   Thesis Statement due

                                             Mon., Nov. 12:                 Evidence of research due including outline, notes, etc.

                                                  Nov. 19-22:                    First draft due (must be typed, MLA format)
                                            
                                                 Dec. 17- 21:                    Final draft due.


                           Please note: I will provide time in class to work on your term paper spend time
                          working outside of class as well in order to successfully complete the requirement.

   
                            Evaluation:

              A Rubric follows this sheet.  The paper is worth 200  points, the final paper is 100 points,                         
         each step is 20  points– however, if no process is completed, no final draft will be accepted.
     

A term paper may compare to an ongoing conversation.  You are attempting to join in a conversation with another
person(s) on a given topic (like a scientific finding).  You find out what s/he has to say through their established
research, and then attempt to contribute your “two cents worth” to the conversation.
    
You will research a topic that interests you and then argue your ideas about it.  In plain terms, your job is to
generate an argument, read about the topic, evaluate information about it, and then report what you find.  

So, why do a research paper?  By writing a research paper, you will learn about the ethics of research, effective
writing, and the topic on which you choose to write.  You will need to discriminate between valid and invalid
sources, and you will organize your ideas in a paper of substantial length.