Research Paper
First, you need to define a topic. Please see the syllabus for what makes a 'A' research paper. Your research
paper must support a judgment/thesis. There are plenty of aids online that tell you how to write a solid
research paper.
In doing this research paper, I need to see evidence of use of books, articles,
and internet sources. The following represent good approaches to writing a
"researched paper."
Set self-imposed deadlines for [I will be setting deadlines for the following steps. See below.]:
- one page description of paper
- sources you are going to use
- deadline for note taking
- deadline for preliminary draft
Make sure....
- your topic is not too broad
- you begin research with basic documents (web, encyclopedia entries, etc., but you do not use
encyclopedias as a source--they just get you familiarized with the topic.)
- to locate existing bibliographies--use online searches to aid you. Ask the librarians for
assistance in this matter.
- chose a consistent system for keeping track of bibliographic references
Your draft should include:
- footnotes or endnotes
- a bibliography
- correct documentation
- a synthesis of your research and a judgment based on your research. In other words, a point of
view that is substantiated by research and data.
After you have written your rough draft, ask yourselves the following
questions:
- Are there points I rely on that come from unimpressive (e.g. Roseanne) or identified authorities
(no Deep Throats, please)?
- Can I point to passages in the paper where I am clearly speaking in my own voice or making my
own judgments?
- Do I speak with an appropriate mixture of confidence and caution? (To put it another way, am I
always qualifying too much what I think?)
Any paper that does not demonstrate command of what has been outlined above will be returned
to you without comment and with the grade of 'F'.
Deadlines:
An 'A' paper must exhibit the following features:
- you have followed the technical instructions.
- your paper has a viable or clear thesis statment
- your paper supports your thesis
- your paper is analytical (that is, you have not merely described but explained your points. In order to
have an analytical paper, you need to spend some time 'thinking' about your thesis.)
- your paper contains no factual errors
- your paper is written in a logical, coherent and well structured manner. (I would take a draft or outline
of my paper to the Writing Center and work on it with one of the writing fellows.
- you paper contains many clear, concrete and well documented examples which support your thesis.
- your paper shows a clear understanding of the topic.
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