ENGLISH II RESEARCH PAPER
Topic - a problem that faces the world today
Your paper should have:
Introduction - briefly explain what the problem is and why you are
researching it. (personal pronouns permitted)
Body - explain the problem in detail
What is the problem?
Why is it a problem?
Who/what makes it a problem?
How does the problem get started?
Why does the problem continue to happen?
Are there any benefits (real or perceived) to the problem?
Who thinks it's a problem?
What proof is there that it is a problem?
Anything else that will get the reader to understand the problem
Solutions:
What do other people suggest or do to get rid of the problem?
Do these suggestions work? Why or why not?
What problems do these suggestions have?
Closing - what is your proposed solution to the problem?
Why will it work?
What problems could you encounter with your solution?
How would you implement the solution?
PAPER REQUIREMENTS
Notes - You are required to take notes and turn them in as you progress through your research. Notes can be taken on note cards, in a notebook, in outline form, or any other way your choose, but they must be hand written by you. Be sure as you are taking notes that you are writing the bibliography information and page numbers so that you are able to refer to the source if needed. Notes are due on Tuesday, April 4.
Sources - You must use at least 5 sources, with at least 3 different kinds of sources. For example, you can have 2 books, 2 magazines and 1 internet. Or, you could have 7 books, but you still have to have 2 other sources. There is no limit to how many sources you can use, as long as you have at least 3 different types. At least one source must be an interview of an adult who somehow pertains to your topic. You may not interview any students from VHS or any family members, unless you have prior permission from me. The interview questions and notes should be turned in with the other notes on April 4.
Paper Specifications - Papers must be typed, double spaced, in 12 point type. It should have a one inch margin all the way around each page. The paper may have page umbers in the bottom margin. The paper must have a title page, and a bibliography. You may also have an appendix. The paper itself must be between 4 and 6 pages long. Be sure to introduce and conclude your paper, cite all references with parenthetical references, and check grammar and spelling. Use the MLA style.
GRADING
Grades will be assessed in 3 ways
1. Paper requirements met - length, correct sources, acceptable notes,
parenthetical references, format, etc.
2. Content - did you include all required information, and present your paper in
a logical and interesting way?
3. Grammar - 1 point deduction for each and every grammatical and spelling
mistake.
Each category is worth 100 points
Total grade is 300 points!
You will also have other periodic assignments, as well as 100 points for turning in all notes on April 4.
Due Dates
Topics will be chosen and turned in by Wednesday, March 22 (25 points).
Notes will be completed and turned in by end of class on Tuesday, April 4 (100 points).
Works Cited page will be completed and turned in by end of class on Wednesday, April 5 (50 points).
Outline will be completed and turned in by end of class on Thursday, April 6 (100 points)
Papers will be completely finished and turned in by 3:00 P.M. on Monday, April 10 (300 points).
Absolutely no exceptions!!!!!!!
Late papers will be minus 30 points each day. If you are not here on Monday, you need to get your paper here by 3:00 P.M.!!
**************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
VHS LIBRARY PATHFINDER:
A. Print Resources:
1. Reference Books – Taking Sides – R 303.6 TAK
2. Web Catalog:
a. Go to www.vermilionschools.org/vhs/library
b. Select Library Sites.
c. Select Vermilion High School.
d. Click on the large cat on the left.
e. Type in your search term and click on either subject search or all
fields
f. Search for Opposing Viewpoints books, Current Controversies
books, Point/Counterpoint, or At Issue by selecting a "series"
search.
3. Ritter Web Catalog:
a. If you can’t find any books in our library, you can search Ritter
Library’s card catalog from our search screen. At the top of the
search screen click on More Libraries.
b. After Ritter’s web page loads, click on Library
Catalog on the upper-left corner of the page.
c. If you cannot find a book at Ritter, you can search the Clevenet
Library Catalog.
Remember, if you find a book that you want from Clevenet, you
MUST USE your Ritter Public Library Card to reserve the book in
your name and have it sent to Ritter.
B. Computer Resources:
1. Magazine Searches: See the Handout
2. Use the Gale Student Resource Center for reference books, magazines
and/or journals, and newspaper articles.
3. Clevenet Database: Opposing Viewpoints
a. Go to: www.cpl.org
b. Choose Databases & Links Library
c. Search the bottom search box (Databases) using the words
OpposingViewpoints and then click on the words Opposing
Viewpoints
d. Type in your Public Library card number in the box and the last four
digits of your phone number in the second box and submit.
4. Internet Sources:
a. Go into Favorites on Internet Explorer and do the following:
1. Look for the English folder and open it.
2. Look for D’Egidio’s folder and open it.
3. Look for Social Issues folder and open it. There are
bookmarked web sites that contain both pro and con
information on a wide range of controversial issues.
b. Websites containing controversial issues:
http://www.suffolk.lib.ny.us/libraries/cmmk/speech.html
http://www.multcolib.org/homework/sochc.html
http://www.sheboygan.lib.wi.us/pages/linkssoc.html
http://library.sau.edu/bestinfo/Hot/hotindex.htm