Directions+for+AP+English+Research+Paper


 * Directions for AP English Research Paper**

To meet the requirements of this course, you must write a research paper in APA Style Format. Because we live in an area that is so rich in history and that has played an important part in the development of this nation, you will write your paper on a topic regarding the history of our area. You will choose your topic from a list of 15 options provided for you. No more than two students will be allowed to write on the same topic. Your paper is to be between six and seven pages in length. You are also to include a separate title page and reference page in APA Format. You will do your note cards on the computer and must have approximately 60. You will do an outline, rough draft, and final copy. As you do your research, you will also prepare a ten- slide PowerPoint presentation of photographs, drawings, and visuals on your project.
 * Overview:**

Research: You will be doing all of your research on the Internet, and you will use the list of web sites that have been provided for you. You must use at least eight different sources in your research. Thus, you must have eight bibliographic entries. Each time you use a different source, do the entry for that source directly on your Reference Page, using the APA format. When you take notes from a source, put the information in your own words, or you may use a direct quote by putting quotation marks around the information. You are limited to four direct quotes for this paper because I do not want your paper to be a simple regurgitation of someone else’s words. You will do your notes on the computer by entering them all on category note pages.
 * General Guidelines:**


 * Create a Folder:** Create a folder entitled Research Paper. Within this folder create two more folders, one entitled research and the other entitled note cards. This folder will also contain your outline, rough draft, and final copy, as you were taught in class. Make sure that all three of these steps have the proper headings at the top of your page.

You will be instructed how to prepare your note cards on the computer. You must place a copy of all of the documents that you access online into your research folder. You will complete your Reference page as you prepare you note cards. You will be shown how to do this.
 * Research and Note Cards:**


 * Outline:** You will copy and paste information from your note cards to create your outline. Put in your parenthetical notations as you develop you outline.

Your different areas of compare/contrast will become your individual body paragraphs. For each point, you want to start with one group first and then compare this with the other group. For example, if you start with the rich first, always start with the rich for each point. Because you may have a large volume of information, you may want to put each group in a separate paragraph. Sum up your paper. Reiterate thesis and main supports. Make a concluding statement. This could be something you have learned from your research.
 * Rough Draft:** When your outline is complete, use the method of copying and pasting you were taught in class to convert your outline to your rough draft. REMEMBER THAT YOU NEED ENOUGH INFORMATION TO DEVELOP A PAPER OF 4-5 PAGES IN LENGTH. ALSO, REMEMBER TO CHANGE YOUR PAGE HEADINGS. Your rough draft must contain the following areas, as you were taught in class:
 * Introductory Paragraph**
 * Hook
 * Thesis
 * Main Supports: What are the major points you will address?
 * Body Paragraphs**
 * Conclusion Paragraph**


 * Editing and Proofreading:**
 * NEVER DO EDITING OR PROOFREADING IN YOUR ROUGH DRAFT**. Save your rough draft to final copy. Now do your editing, as you were taught in class. Take your time and do quality work!
 * Final Copy:**
 * Use Times News Roman- 12 point font
 * Double -space your document
 * Have the required number of pages
 * Attach a proper cover sheet to the front
 * Attach a proper reference page to the back


 * I WILL RETURN ANY PAPERS THAT DO NOT MEET THE ABOVE REQUIREMENTS AND ENTER A ZERO IN THE GRADE. PLAGIARISM IN ANY DEGREE WILL RESULT IN A ZERO GRADE.**


 * Assessment:** You will receive a grade for all parts of the research, writing, and presentation process. The notes cards, PowerPoint, and your presentation will all be weighted as a quiz. The final copy of the research paper, which includes both the cover page, and the reference page, will be weighted as a writing assignment. The outline, rough draft, and research documents will be weighted as class work. Therefore, you will receive a total of seven different grades for this research project.