Research Paper Syllabus

Mr. Parkins 2008- American Literature Honors

“An educated man should know everything about something, and something about everything.” – C.V. Wedgwood, English Historian

Topic: Anything you desire -Try to avoid the standard topics: death penalty, abortion, etc.

Length: 9-12 pages (double spaced)

Sources: minimum of 6 (2 print), 10-12 would be ideal

Week 1: January 7-11

• What is a research paper?
• Choosing a topic?
• Required length and syllabus

Week 2: January 14-18

• How to research
• Source cards/Note cards
• Note-taking practice

Week 3: January 21-25

• Developing a thesis
• Refining topic and purpose
• Research, research, research –

Week 4: January 28 – February 1

• Developing a topic outline
• Individual conferences (as needed)
• How to cite sources correctly
• MLA Format

Week 5: February 4-8

• Writing an introduction
• Writing the rough draft
• Typing specifications
• Grading Rubric

Week 6: February 11-15

• Conferences/work on final paper

Week 7: February 18-22

• Conferences/work on final paper

Week 8: February 25-29

• Final draft work

Important Dates to remember:

Topic chosen: 1/18/08

Temporary Thesis, outline: 2/1/08

Introduction/2 pages of draft: 2/11/08

Final paper: 3/3/08