Your research paper will be a standard MLA literary paper. All work will be based on the appropriate summer reading list.   In preparation for the paper, you may write a research essay. In this way, you will be able to focus on the process and the finer MLA points of a research paper. This research essay will be no more than three typed pages (approximately 700 words). Following completion of the research essay, you will research your final paper. By this time, you should be able to work independently on this major project. The final research paper grade (final paper and process) will be attributed to the appropriate marking periods.

  You will notice that each stage of the process earns you a grade based on points. You may not skip stages, for points are assigned consecutively. Therefore, missing one stage leads to a loss of points. When submitted late, you will receive a 'late' deduction for each stage missed. Closing Advice: Submit each stage complete and on time to receive the full credit.

GALE--Access via instructions from the School Library.
Then click school Library link on left-hand side.

Posted January 7, 2010
GT Research Process Date Line

Topic Card due January 25th
[On a 4X6 card, identify book by title and author. Then identify the topic, explaining in a few sentences your intended focus for the paper.]

Proposal due January 29th
[On composition paper, write a proposal of no less than 10 sentences. This proposal should identify your topic, explain your plan, and attempt to define a thesis for your paper.]

Preliminary Thesis due February 5th
[On composition paper, identify topic then preliminary thesis.]

Five Bibliography Cards due February 12th
[On 4X6 cards, write source cards for 5 separate sources.]

10-Source Bibliography due February 19th
[MLA format required.]

Preliminary Outline with Revised Thesis due February 26th

Revised Thesis with Revised Outline due March 5th
[Staple originals underneath]

Student-Teacher Conference from March 15th to March 19th
[Class work session on paper during conferences]

Note cards (15) due March 19th
[All note cards should be on 4X6 cards; be sure your name is on the back of each card. Band all cards with a rubber band.]

Rough Draft due March 25th
[A complete draft--intro. paragraph, developed body, conclusion, outline, and works cited page. See research packet for point distribution.]

Final Paper due April 12th
NO LATES will be accepted for grade credit.
Failure to submit a paper, and a passing paper, could definitely affect your passing for the year!

Save a copy of the final paper to protect yourself.
Have a courier ready to submit this paper should you be unable to do so.
Paper is due by 2:30 on the due date.

Rough Draft Points

Outline---25 pts.---Be sure to have title centered at 1" top margin; after the title label 'thesis' at left margin follow with a colon then type final thesis; strive for parallelism; follow all outline rules; develop outline with multi-levels; single space thesis; double space outline if it will fit on one page, otherwise single space outline.

Page 1---30 pts.---Follow all MLA standards for page layout and information; include same title as on outline page; and be sure to have intro. paragraph with thesis placed in last sentence position.

Developed body---50 pts.---Represent each level (Roman numeral and capital letter) with a body paragraph. Though your final paper will have at least 2 critical secondary quotes in it, you must have at least 1 secondary quote in each body paragraph for draft.

Concluding paragraph---15 pts.

Works Cited Page---20 pts.

Rough draft should be typed, stapled in left hand corner, paginated, and follow MLA style---50 pts.

Cover page---10 pts.---For the rough draft only, attach this cover page on the front of your draft. Type your name in the left hand corner 1" from top. Double space and type "Comments". I will use this to write notes to you regarding the draft.

Final Research Paper Minimums

6-12 typed content pages (1500-3000 words)

A Literary Paper on approved topic

MLA Standards 5-source minimum (secondary sources)

Source Limits: Multivolume sources--2--with each counting as 1/2 source This leaves at least 3 more minimum sources to find. Consider an anthology.

Remember: Dictionaries and encyclopedias do not count toward resource minimums. Also, Cliff's Notes, Barron's Notes, Monarch Notes, Spark Notes and any other such sources are not acceptable sources to be cited. No Internet sources will be accepted as well.

Research Writing Web LinksBasics for writing a MLA research paper

Whether you are writing a literary or non-literary research paper, you will follow the style guidelines determined by the Modern Language Association.

A standard paper will consist of the following parts:           

*A cover page           *A parallel outline           *A body with page one following a particular format           *Body pages consistently paginated           *A Works Cited page

During the research process, we will spend time in class on each stage of composing the paper. You will also receive two packets for reference and guided exercises.

Should a question arise, though, you should check out the following sites. The MLA Homepage provides an overview of the organization. Most helpful is the "MLA Style" bar. Then click on "Most Frequently Asked Questions" for documentation help.

Here's a site that provides not only resources and samples but a good overview of the parts of the research paper.

Other sources to explore:

Research Paper Resource

MLA Style On-Line

On-Line Writing Assistant