Informative Research-Based Essay
Overview
You will write an informative essay based on research from at least 3 reliable sources. The essay must be a minimum of 2.5 double-spaced pages with 12-point Times New Roman font. You must use in-text citations, include a Works Cited page, and write in MLA format.
Choosing a Topic
Choose one of these or something similar (NOT a simple topic such as a biography or a description of something)
- Advances in education
- Branches of the military
- Causes and effects of pollution, climate change, deforestation, etc.
- Causes of cancer, diabetes, etc.
- Censorship in history
- Cuisine from a particular culture
- Computer viruses
- Cults and the psychology behind them
- Evolution of the English language
- Evolution of video games
- Evolution of voting laws
- Exotic pets
- Fundamental rights of an individual
- How a computer works
- Identity theft
- Impact of social media on society
- Internet dating
- Life in the another country or civilization
- Sales tactics
- Serial killers and the psychology behind them
- UFOs
Reliable Sources
It is important to choose only the best sources as you write your paper. Blogs, Yahoo! Answers, Ask.com, and Wikipedia are not reliable sources. However, Wikipedia can be utilized by finding the sources for a page (at the bottom).
You may use:
ALL sources must be approved by your teacher.
You may use:
- Dictionaries
- Encyclopedias
- News articles from legit news agencies
- Magazine articles from legit magazines
- Scholarly articles (Google Scholar)
- Websites from experts in a field
- Sources listed at the bottom of Wikipedia pages
- Any website ending in .gov, or .mil
- Any website ending in .edu
ALL sources must be approved by your teacher.
Taking and Organizing Notes
Create a Google Document with a bullet-point list. Head each list with a source's name, and copy/paste any valuable information you find into that list. MAKE SURE YOU KEEP THE INFORMATION ORGANIZED BY SOURCE! It should look something like this:
Source 1: cnn.com/isdfijasdf/asdfiojwe
Source 2: encyclopedia.com/aosdifjasdiofj
Source 3: cdc.gov/aosdifjasdiofj
Source 1: cnn.com/isdfijasdf/asdfiojwe
- "First Quote copied and pasted here"
- "Second quote copied and pasted here"
- "Third quote copied and pasted here"
Source 2: encyclopedia.com/aosdifjasdiofj
- "First Quote copied and pasted here"
- "Second quote copied and pasted here"
- "Third quote copied and pasted here"
Source 3: cdc.gov/aosdifjasdiofj
- "First Quote copied and pasted here"
- "Second quote copied and pasted here"
- "Third quote copied and pasted here"
Outlining and Writing Your Essay
INTRODUCTION
BODY PARAGRAPH 1
BODY PARAGRAPH 2
BODY PARAGRAPH 3
CONCLUSION
- Attention getter
- Establish your purpose
- Explain importance to audience
- Thesis statement (what is the paper about?)
BODY PARAGRAPH 1
- Transition word or phrase (First, second, third...)
- Topic sentence (Explain what the paragraph will be about)
- In four or five sentences, explain this topic using a mixture of quotes and paraphrases from your sources. Cite the proper source in every sentence that uses researched information.
BODY PARAGRAPH 2
- Transition word or phrase
- Topic sentence
- In four or five sentences, explain this topic using a mixture of quotes and paraphrases from your sources. Cite the proper source in every sentence that uses researched information.
BODY PARAGRAPH 3
- Transition word or phrase
- Topic sentence
- In four or five sentences, explain this topic using a mixture of quotes and paraphrases from your sources. Cite the proper source in every sentence that uses researched information.
CONCLUSION
- Transition word or phrase
- Summarize what you've discussed
- End by re-stating the thesis
MLA Format
- Double space the entire paper and delete ANY extra spaces
- Use 12-point Times New Roman font
- Head your paper like this:
- Cite all information you took from sources like this:
- If there is an author listed: ...the end of this sentence (Author).
- If no author is listed: ...the end of this sentence (CNN).
- Use EasyBib.com to make a Works Cited page like this one:
Peer Editing
- Is there a clear thesis in the intro that explains what the paper will be about?
- Does each paragraph start with a clear topic sentence?
- Does each paragraph have a clear focus?
- Does the topic have sufficient support/evidence?
- Does the conclusion effectively wrap up the essay?
- Is every piece of information, whether paraphrased or quoted, cited?
- Is the paper formatted in MLA style (header, spacing, works cited)?
research_essay_peer_review.docx |
The Rubric
You'll be graded on the following criteria from the Indiana English 10 Standards:
Structure & Organization (50 points total--10 points each)
Documentation (15 points--3 points each)
Mechanics & Style (10 points total--2 points each)
Penalties
Structure & Organization (50 points total--10 points each)
- Informative/interesting introduction with clear thesis statement?
- Content of paper follows thesis in proper organizational style?
- Focused topic sentence for each paragraph?
- Addressed all areas clearly and sufficiently, offering appropriate support?
- Strong conclusion w/restatement of thesis?
Documentation (15 points--3 points each)
- Proper MLA heading?
- Integrated all sources sufficiently?
- Quotation/paraphrase proportioned well?
- Accuracy of in-text documentation
- Accuracy of works cited page
Mechanics & Style (10 points total--2 points each)
- Transitions used?
- Sentence variety/phrasing
- Appropriate vocabulary/word choice
- Spelling/capitalization
- Punctuation/grammar and usage (incl. R/O & frag.)
Penalties
- Insufficient length will result in a 10-point penalty per missing page
- Missing the Works Cited page will result in a 10-point penalty
- Plagiarism of ANY kind will result in an automatic zero, a call home, and possible disciplinary action