The paper should be at least six pages in length, and formatted in proper MLA style.
	Use a standard font (nothing unusual or cute please, this will be a formal paper) in a ten to twelve point size.
	The paper must reference at least 7 current journal articles referenced.  Remember that "works cited" means that quotations from these these articles are used in the paper.  A web page and/or a book may be cited, but these should not be primary sources.

Research Notebook:  Use a loose-leaf notebook. Divide the notebook into four sections: research log, bibliography, notes from sources (including photocopies of articles), and drafts and ideas.

Taking Notes

	Record complete bibliographical information in the bibliography section of your research notebook.
	Record notes in the source notes section of your research notebook.
	Photocopy important sources (articles) for later rereading and reference.
	As you read sources and take notes, record your own reactions and ideas in the drafts-and-ideas section of your research notebook.

	Claims of Fact
	Claims of Cause and Effect
	Claims of Value
	Claims of Policy

	Who?
	What?
	When?
	Where?
	Why?

Evaluating Library Sources

	Sources should be relevant to your subject, purpose, and audience.
	Sources should be current, particularly if your topic is scientific or technical in nature.
	Sources should be reliable, free of bias and inaccuracies.

Background Information and General Reference

You might get a general overview about your topic by looking in encyclopedias, dictionaries, biographies, or other general sources. Realize, however, that these sources help you find general information about your topic. Encyclopedias, dictionaries, biographies, or other general sources shouldn't be used as sources in your paper.

The Online Catalog: Search Strategy

You will be searching for your topic by key words in our online databases, as you have practiced doing throughout the semester. One way to find key words associated with your topic is to look at the Library of Congress Subject Headings in the library. In addition, you can narrow or expand your topic by using Boolean search strategies, that is, combining terms with and, or, or not to narrow or expand your findings. For a tutorial on Boolean searches, visit ADAM: Boolean Search Tips from Surrey Institute of Art & Design.

 Shaping

Although the drafting process may be overwhelming at this point, master the project by breaking up the information into manageable doses. First of all, reconsider your purpose and thesis. Reread your own notes and especially your draft sections from your research notebook. Then answer the following questions:

	What is your general subject?
	What aspect of your general subject is most interesting to you now? What question will you answer or explain?
	Is your purpose primarily to inform, explain, evaluate, describe a problem and propose a solution, or to argue a claim?
	What thesis, claim, or proposal do you want to impress upon your readers?
	Analyze your audience. How can you interest them in your subject? What aspects of your collected data are most appropriate for you audience?

Shaping Strategies

	Review strategies for shaping that are appropriate for your particular purpose.
	Explain to a friend or classmate your purpose, audience, and working thesis.
	Try freewriting, looping, or clustering.
	Reread your notes and drafts.
	Take a break.
	Try branching or treeing your main ideas.
	Build a working outline. Organize your notes based on your outline.

Drafting

As you draft, use your outline as a guide, but don't worry if the natural flow of your writing takes you in other directions. Reread your material and decide whether you have strayed from the topic or introduced a new, welcome dimension to the project.

Using Sources

Use your sources accurately, fairly, and honestly. You must cite a source for any fact or bit of information that is not general knowledge. You do not need to indicate a source for your own ideas, but if you find a source that agrees with your idea, cite that source. Citing a source that supports your idea lends additional credibility to the essay. For more information on how and why to document sources, see Documenting Sources from the George Mason University Writing Center.

How to Cite Sources

You will use Modern Language Association (MLA) style. According to MLA style, the in-text citation contains the author and page number of your source (Torres 50). For information on MLA documentation style, follow these links:

	MLA Style from the Modern Language Association site.
	Using Modern Language Association (MLA) Format by the Purdue University Online Writing Lab.
	See the MLA links on my webpages
	Look in your text, many examples are found in Chapter 12 of your text.

Identify Cited References

	Identify in the text the person or source of the fact, paraphrased idea, or quotation.
	If you cite the author in your sentence, the parentheses will contain only the page reference.
	Use block format for quotations of five lines or more.
	Vary your introductions to quotations.
	Edit quotations when necessary to condense or clarify.

How to Avoid Plagiarism

Be honest and give credit for the work of others by carefully documenting all facts, ideas, charts, diagrams, and actual phrases or sentences borrowed from your sources.

Revising and Peer Review

When rereading your paper, be flexible enough to identify weaknesses in your paper such as missing data or passages that no longer seem relevant. Correct them or delete them before submitting for peer review.  Remember, though, that you are the expert at this point. Don't incorporate suggestions that you feel would not make your paper better.

Monday, November 6th:  Library Assignment
Wednesday, November 8th:  Working Bibliography, topic pitch, paragraph
Monday, November 13th:  Tentative paper plan or outline (see page 10 &11 in Hacker)
Wednesday, November 15th:  Two pages typewritten and Formal Outline (see Hacker page 11-12)
Wednesday, November 22: first draft
Wednesday, November 29: final draft due

Write a paragraph:  You should have considered your topic and claim well enough that today you can write (without notes) a paragraph about your plans for the paper.  You should have some specific judgments and details to offer about your paper.  Topic paragraph, 20 points. Pitch your topic:   Discuss your topic with your peers and see if it will "fly."   Consider doing some outlining and prewriting, and keeping this material in a Research Notebook, which is discussed in your text.  Topic discussion: 20 points.

Bibliography and Four Articles:   Have a nicely formatted (and typed) bibliography with you today for review, and two complete pages of typewritten material.  You should have at least four articles today.  (Typed bibliography, articles, and two pages 30 points).  I'll return the paragraph written in class on Thursday, and if the topic has any problems, I'll address those in writing.  You may/should make some adjustments to your focus if that has been suggested.  Otherwise, after today, you may not make a major change to your topic without losing the points you have earned thus far on this assignment.

First Draft:  Your first draft is due in class (typed and complete, in a folder with all prewriting and sources) at 2pm sharp.  Students who arrive late with their papers will lose 1/2 credit for the day.   You receive points both for participating in peer review (30), and for having your first draft completed (50).  If you do not have a complete rough draft, you will not be allowed to participate in peer review.

Monday, December 5th

Final Draft:  Make necessary corrections on your first draft, and submit today at 2:00 sharp, secured in a folder with all prewriting, sources, earlier drafts, and peer comments.  If you expect to have an illness, injury, major romantic breakup, or death in your family that week, plan on submitting your paper in ADVANCE.  Students who arrive late with their papers will not receive full credit.  Final Draft by deadline:  50 points.  

Points possible on paper:  500