Sunday, November 17, 2013

GUIDELINES FOR THE TERM PAPER


TERM PAPER REQUIREMENTS AND SCHEDULE
Fall 2013


PAPER OBJECTIVES. Students who successfully complete this paper should be able to:

·      Identify a topic and develop a thesis statement that includes an annotated bibliography.
·      Locate and examine appropriate resources for research.
·      Develop a research strategy, meet deadlines, and work under the close supervision of teacher.
·      Write an argumentative and fully edited paper in Standard English prose.
·      Make appropriate citations in the Chicago style.



GRADING GUIDELINES FOR SEMESTER: The final grade for the Class:

  • The grade for the final submission (20 percent of the final semester grade).
  • The grade for the guided research portion of the course (15 percent of the final grade). This grade will include the thesis statement, annotated bibliography, rough draft, and adherence to deadlines.
  • Final paper will be graded by a rubric.


DEADLINES FOR GUIDED RESEARCH:

THE THESIS STATEMENT is due FIRST CLASS of WEEK 11 (Nov 18-20).

It should include the following:
·      A description of the issue that you want to write about.
·      A description of the narrowed problem that you are concerned with.
·      Hints at how you will argue your case.


THE ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY is due FIRST CLASS OF WEEK 12 (Nov 25-27)
·      An initial annotated bibliography containing at least four sources (at least three must be scholarly articles) that will provide a foundation for the paper. Scholarly articles can be found through on-line scholarly journals (JSTOR, SAGE, a or Google Scholar).
·      The annotated bibliography should include a brief statement (three to four sentences) for each work listed, that addresses what is the article about and why the cited work is relevant to the proposed topic.


DRAFT OF THE PAPER  is due on SECOND CLASS of WEEK 12 (Dec 5-6).

It should include the following:
  • The basic paper with special attention given to the thesis, the principal arguments, and the citations.
  • The draft should include citations, be properly proofread and edited.
  • The draft should also adhere to the submission requirements for the final paper.
·      Properly formatted, proofed and edited drafts will receive a reasonable level of line editing.
·      Poorly prepared drafts will receive a partial credit.
·      Failure to submit a draft by the deadline will result in a failure of this requirement, without chance of partial credit.


THE FINAL SUBMISSION is due on DECEMBER 13th by 3pm.

Should be submitted with a title page:
·      ONE printed copy of the final paper submitted directly to the instructor.
·      Submission of the final paper to turnitin.com.

BASIC WRITING REQUIREMENTS.

  • You are aiming for a 7-9 page paper including citations (endnotes).
  • The paper should be analytical; that is, it should establish a thesis and develop logical arguments supported analysis and evidence. Accordingly, the paper must include a meaningful introduction with a clear thesis statement, significant analysis to support the thesis that develops a logical argument, and a carefully crafted conclusion.
  • Do not write by assuming that reader knows everything you have learned about the topic. Write for a third-party reader who is not familiar with your topic. Be thorough in your explanations, establish context and define terminology where appropriate.
  • Your ideas and writing are what is important in this paper. Evidence should support them not replace them. Accordingly, quotations should be limited to those that contribute significantly to your argument or analysis. Good quotations are pithy: they exemplify or say things in ways that are meaningful.
  • Remember that you are completing a formal piece of writing for an academic audience. Use Standard English grammar and appropriate vocabulary that is free of jargon, clichés, contractions and inappropriate abbreviations. Go for variety in your language—it will create interesting reading. But be thoroughly in control of your vocabulary. Use the thesaurus included in your word processing software, but be mindful of the actually meaning of the words.
·      Work for strong paragraphs that begin with a topical sentence that connects logically to the preceding paragraph. Craft your sentences and balance lengthy (compound complex) and short or simple sentences to crate clear and interesting reading.
  • Be fair to your sources. Do not plagiarize. Quotations and paraphrased from other authors must be properly cited in your endnotes. (See the Course Policies and Procedures on plagiarism.)
·      Thoroughly edit and proofread the paper for language, spelling, typographical and grammatical errors. Errors will count against the final grade.

SUBMISSION AND TYPING REQUIREMENTS. The final paper must adhere to the following guidelines.

·      Must be typewritten on plain, white paper (single-sided) using black print.
·      Must use 12-point font in Times New Roman. Handwritten submissions and submissions in other than black ink or larger or smaller font will not be accepted.
·      1” margins on all sides.
·      The text must be double-spaced.
·      Paragraphs must be indented 5 spaces (or the default indent on your software) with no lines skipped between paragraphs. You may skip a line if you wish between the introduction and body of the paper and between the body of the paper and the conclusion. But do not subtitle any parts of your paper.
·      Citations must be in endnotes in the Chicago style. Do not use footnotes. Citation numbers should be placed at the end of sentences or paragraphs and should use Arabic not Roman Numerals. The citations should be single-spaced in 12 point font with the first line indented.
·      All pages should be numbered with the exception of the coversheet. The first page of the text should be numbered 1. Page numbers should appear in the upper right corner of each page.
·      The text must begin at the top of page 1, without a title or author.
·      Students who wish to include images, maps, or tables in their paper should discuss appropriate formats with the instructor prior to submission of the draft.
·      Include a cover sheet. The following format is recommended. (Place it approximately 1/3 down the coversheet.) Do not use a report cover or folder of any kind for the final copy of the paper.

Title of Paper or Assignment
Your Name

The American Experiment and the Globalized World
Mr. Highfield
Fall 2013

·      Staple the paper once in the upper left-hand corner of the paper with the coversheet on top.



CATEGORY
4
3
2
1
Organization
Information is very organized with well-constructed paragraphs. The essay includes an introduction with an argument, details to support the argument, and a conclusion.
Information is organized with well-constructed paragraphs. The essay includes an introduction with an argument, details to support the argument, and a conclusion.
Information is somewhat organized, but paragraphs are not well-constructed. The essay includes an introduction with an argument, some related details to support the argument, and a conclusion.
The information appears to be disorganized. The majority of the essay does not relate to the subject matter.
Mechanics
No grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors.
Almost no grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors
A few grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors.
Many grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors.
Sources
Essay has at least 6 resources cited within the endnotes. All sources are accurately documented in Chicago format.
Essay has at least 5 resources cited within the endnotes. All sources are accurately documented in Chicago format.
Essay has at least 3 resources cited within the endnotes. All sources are accurately documented in Chicago format.
Essay has no sources and no present endnotes.
Argument
Essay has a clear argument with supporting sources and clearly states different or opposing sides of the argument with supportive details.
Essay has a clear argument with supporting sources and states different or opposing sides of the argument.
Essay has a clear argument with supporting sources, but does not mention different or opposing sides of the argument.
Essay shows signs of an argument and some supporting sources.