Week 9: Research Paper Rough Draft

Remember that the goal of the research paper is to show the reader to see your perspective on

the topic you’ve chosen, and convince him or her to adopt your stance. You will achieve this by

sharing with the reader the fruits of the extensive research you have performed on this topic.

Through the research process, you should have some advanced level of knowledge about your

topic, and be prepared to answer your research question from the Research Essay Proposal

Discussion Forum (or, some other research question you’ve developed in the course of

research). Make a strong case as you answer this question, one that your audience would

seriously consider. You will use in-text quotations and paraphrasing to support your argument,

demonstrating your understanding of the topic and showcasing the work you put into developing

your position.

As always, do not plagiarize. All direct quotations and information taken from your

sources must be credited in APA style. Present all of your research in a responsible,

organized way and make the main ideas in the essay your own. If you plagiarize, you will get no

credit, and there will be no chance to make up the points you lost. Depending on the severity of

the plagiarism, you may not be able to pass the course.

To properly complete the draft, consider the following steps:

€¢ With the benefit of all your research, craft a thesis statement that answers, in 1-2 sentences,

the research question you posed to explore in the Research Essay Proposal Discussion

Forum (or, a thesis statement that otherwise indicates both the topic you’re discussing, and

your attitude toward it). For example, if your research question was, Is the bird flu a

credible threat, and what can we do to prevent it? your thesis statement might be, The

United States can prepare for the possible devastation of a bird flu epidemic by investing in

vaccine research and the infrastructure required to mass produce, transport, and administer

vaccines to a large population. Additionally, average people can prepare for the bird flu by

keeping a stockpile of emergency supplies.

€¢ Develop an outline, to make certain that your organization of information will effectively

prove your thesis statement. Be sure to account for contextualization; if you used the above

thesis statement example, you must spend some amount of essay space discussing what

bird flu is, and its likelihood of spreading, even though those issues don’t directly answer the

thesis statement. This kind of contextualization is important for longer papers.

€¢ Consider the purpose, audience, and tone of your essay €“ make sure to bear in mind who

you’re writing for, what you want them to take away, and how to effectively reach them

through writing.

€¢ Draft topic sentences and body paragraphs for each section in your outline. Make sure that

each paragraph has a topic sentence and an appropriate amount of supporting detail from

your sources. Consider whether the detail in each paragraph relates to the main point of the

paragraph. Remember, your paragraphs should be unified, developed, and coherent, and

have strong topic sentences. €¢ Make sure that your sources provide adequate support for the points you’re making. If

necessary, do more research. Additionally, make sure that you are using the content of a

source appropriately €“ not only do you want to make sure that you are citing, referencing,

summarizing, quoting, and paraphrasing properly, but you also want to be sure that you are

not misinterpreting the author’s words, or taking his or her points out of context.

€¢ Incorporate your sources by using quotations and paraphrasing your sources in each

paragraph. You must cite your sources each time you quote or refer to information in them.

Each reference listed should have at least one corresponding in-text citation.

€¢ Take precautions to avoid biased language in your writing. Additionally, employ the concept

of show, don’t tell as much as possible in this essay.

€¢ Write an appropriate introduction, conclusion, and title for your essay. Your introductory

section should introduce your reader to the topic and include your thesis statement. Your

conclusion should restate your thesis and your main points.

€¢ Finally, add a title that indicates the main idea of the essay, without restating your thesis

statement.

€¢ This essay should be roughly 1250 words in length.

Make sure to carefully consider the Research Essay rubric as you work through this

assignment!

Remember, your paper should include 5 sources and be at least 1250 words.

This assignment is due on or before 11:55 pm EST on Friday of Week 9. Research Paper Rubric Points

Possible

Essay indicates a controlling idea: A clear thesis statement indicates the

essay’s argument about the research topic.

10

Essay develops a controlling idea: This thesis statement is developed

throughout the paper, without digressions, into a thoughtful, careful,

precise argument. This includes specific, cited quotations and paraphrases

from the text.

15

Essay develops a strong and logical structure: The essay as a whole has

a unified, coherent, and developed point of view, with a thesis statement,

introduction that contextualizes the discussion, properly ordered body

paragraphs, and a conclusion that ties together the main points of the

essay. Transitions connect sentences and paragraphs throughout the essay.

15

Essay paragraphs are unified, coherent, and developed: Paragraphs

make one single, coherent point that fits within the structure of the essay.

Topic sentences and concluding sentences are used appropriately.

15

Essay uses five sources: The essay utilizes at least five different sources,

through paraphrases, summaries, or quotations, from a variety of sources.

These sources are integrated within the paper and provide evidence for the

essay’s argument.

10

Essay is edited and revised properly: The essay is written with clear,

interesting, sound sentences; appropriate tone; a lack of grammatical,

mechanical, typographical, and punctuation errors.

15

Essay uses proper in-text citations and references: All information

taken from other sources, including summaries, paraphrases, and

quotations, are cited using in-text citations and references. Each reference

page is in correct APA style.

10

Essay meets APA formatting guidelines: The essay has an APA-style

title page, uses Times New Roman 12 font, has appropriate margins, and

otherwise acceptably meets APA standards.

5

Essay meets length guidelines: The essay should be about 1250 words in

length.

5

TOTAL: 100