For the Writing Workshop / Rough Draft Due Date

1. Bring two typed drafts of your research paper (one for me and one for a classmate)
2. Include a set of copies of key source pages from which you paraphrase information. You do not need to provide copies of quoted passages. Provide copies for 3 separate sources (which should result in approx. 3-6 total copied pages).
3. Make sure the author's last name and the page number are noted on the upper right-hand corner of each source copy page.  Also, clearly mark on your source copies with a pen or highlighter the passages you paraphrase in your paper.  Finally, highlight the paraphrased passages in your rough draft for easy cross-reference.
4. Include your initial ("rough rough") draft and/or proposal
5. Submit all materials in a 2-pocket folder labeled with your name and section #

I know this seems like a lot of extra work, but it really isn't if you stay organized.   More importantly, these extra materials will save you work later on and will allow me to check your paraphrasing and documentation technique at the rough draft stage. No rough drafts will be accepted without these support materials.

For the Final Draft Due Date

In your folder, include your final draft, your rough draft with my comments, and the comment sheet I returned to you.  Re-submit your source copies if I require it on your comment sheet.  No final drafts will be accepted without these materials.   Also provide a SASE for return of your papers.  Please do not use plastic slipcovers for your paper.

Basic Formatting Guidelines

Your paper should have an original title, but a separate title page is not necessary.   Please leave 1" margins on all sides of each page; double-space your text; number pages consecutively; and use MLA (preferred) or APA citation style for your in-text citations and works cited page.  See ch. 6 in Barnet and Bedau for extremely useful guidelines in writing and documenting your paper.  The authors also provide a nice example of a research paper at the end of the chapter.

A note for those using APA style documentation:   APA style technically does not require page numbers for in-text citations of summarized or paraphrased information from outside sources.  However, for the purposes of our class, please provide in-text page number references for each source citation, whether quoted, paraphrased, or summarized.  This will make it easier for me to evaluate your paper's documentation.

Crafting Your Introduction

Your intro is somewhat summary in nature, of course, but it's different from an abstract, strictly speaking.  The introduction should be 1 or 2 paragraphs long and functions as a "hook" to grab our interest in your research topic.  In your intro, you should:

• Grab our attention with an interesting opening
• Define and describe the issue you're looking at, its key participants, etc.
• Discuss the origin and significance of the controversy or debate associated with your topic
• Explain the purpose of your research and articulate your thesis clearly
• Preview the scope and organization of your analysis (i.e., the major points you'll be making)

Organizing the Report

Consider breaking up the text of your paper by using headings, as appropriate.  You don't want to overdo it, but some headings are quite useful in making a long paper more accessible.  Devising headings (without getting bogged down with subheadings) is also a good exercise in organization.  Be sure to make your headings clear, specific, and parallel in length and structure.  If you incorporate any visuals, such as a table, a graph, or a figure, be sure to format them properly and provide a proper titles (consult your writing handbook for tips, or consult with me).  Any visual based on an outside source, whether directly copied from the source or constructed by you, should be cited as you would any other piece of information.

Citing Sources

Plan on citing a minimum of six legitimate sources; a few more, of course, is preferable. General encyclopedias and dictionaries do not count as legitimate sources in this context (although more specialized reference works may-see me if you have questions about a particular source).  Personal interviews of knowledgeable people are legitimate, but should be used judiciously.  Remember that most readers (including me!) are impressed when a researcher cites a variety of sources; in contrast, citing five newspaper articles and one magazine blurb does not demonstrate thorough, college-level research.

As you write, be careful of becoming a "quote-gatherer"--one who collects lots of neat-sounding quotations and strings them together to form a paper.  First and foremost you must put forth your own argument about your subject.  Stress summarizing and paraphrasing as you incorporate sources into your paper; use quotes sparingly and judiciously (i.e., when you want to retain the force and effect of the original author's language).  This way your citations will complement your own voice instead of overshadowing it.  See Barnet and Bedau for some useful guidelines on when and how to quote effectively.

Writing the Conclusion

Don't feel like you have to make your conclusion a mere reiteration of your introduction.  This is a chance for you to review the major points of your research/argument, make an overall judgment about your findings, and make any specific recommendations, if applicable.   Hey--take a chance!  It's just a conclusion!  A solid paragraph or two should suffice.

Avoiding Plagiarism

Educator Diana Hacker informs us that plagiarism is constituted by "(1) failing to cite quotations and borrowed ideas, (2) failing to enclose borrowed language in quotation marks, and (3) failing to put summaries and paraphrases in your own words" (354).  In order to document your sources properly and avoid plagiarism, you need to cite and indicate all quotations; cite summaries, paraphrases, and any facts that are not common knowledge; and put summaries and paraphrases in your own words.