Research Paper Assignment, The Things They Carried
Name:
English 11 R –
Research Paper Assignment
“No event in American history is
more misunderstood than the Vietnam War.
It was misreported then, and it is misremembered now.” - Richard M. Nixon, 1985
Ho Chi Minh
My Lai Massacre
Conscientious Objectors (Protestors)
Tonkin
Gulf Resolution
Agent Orange – use of defoliants
Lyndon Johnson’s Policies on Vietnam
Viet Cong
Guerilla War Tactics, Land Mines, etc.
Media – Role in Vietnam
Draft
Role of the Medic
Medical Hospitals
Robert McNamara – Defense Secretary
Robert Kennedy
Returning Veterans, Experiences, P.T.S.
Physical and mental effects of combat
Modern Vietnam
Fall of Saigon
Vietnam War Memorial
Prisoners of War
Tim O’Brien
Domino Theory
Role of the Navy
Role of the Air force
Geography of Vietnam
and its effect on soldiers
Green Berets – Special Forces
1950’s America
(C.I.T.R. or D.O.A.S.)
Deciding upon your
topic? Try these steps…
Step One:
What topic do you seem to be interested in? Many of these are only preliminary
ideas. You may want to address a
different topic or narrow the topic to a specific focus.
- What topic interests you?
- What do you want to try to prove about this topic?
- What do you know about your topic?
- What do you want to find out about your topic?
Step Two:
Do some preliminary research. Get some background information on your topic
from a general encyclopedia or internet source, but remember to write down the
website or volume and page numbers. You
must cite your sources.
Step Three:
Locate more relevant information related to your topic. Keep track of citation information for your
annotated bibliography. Note cards, or
print outs of your articles, is a good idea to keep track of source
information.
Step Four:
To create your research questions, ask yourself what it is
that you would like to find out based upon your preliminary research. What aspect of your research is most
interesting to you? From there, develop
your controlling idea by stating an idea that you wish to prove as true or
false. Use your questions to assist you in
formulating your statement (premise, thesis).
Research Paper Components:
3-5 pages 12 point font, Times New Roman,
double-spaced, 1 inch margins
3-4 sources 2
printed works sources (books, magazines, articles from journals), and the rest
can be web-based
Keep track
of due dates and mark off what you have complete…
Stages: Only certain stages will be due: Complete:
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1. Choose
topic
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Due 12/17
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2. Find sources
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On your own, Library dates
12/16-17
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3. Develop research
questions
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On your own, Library dates
12/16-17
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4. Formulate controlling
idea
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Due 12/22
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5. Evaluate sources
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On your own, Computer Lab
dates 12/20, 21, 23
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6. Create draft bibliography
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Due 1/14,
Computer Lab date 1/14
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7. Draft annotations for
bibliography
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Due 1/14,
Computer Lab date 1/14
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8. Take notes from sources
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On your own, Computer Lab
dates 12/20, 21, 23
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9. Create outline
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Due 1/14,
Computer Lab date 1/14
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10. Create thesis
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Due 1/14,
Computer Lab date 1/14
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11. Write first draft
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On your own, Computer Lab
dates 1/14, 19, 21
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12. Insert documentation
into draft
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On your own, see me for
assistance
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13. Revise annotations for
bibliography
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On your own, due with final
paper, Computer Lab dates 1/14, 19, 21
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14. Revise draft
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On your own, see me for
assistance before due date of final paper
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15. Edit and proofread
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On your own, see previous
step
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16. Assemble final draft
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Due 1/31
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Note: I will only read and revise your paper before
you turn it in if you come to see me outside of class. You must bring a printed version of your
paper and I will go through it with you.
I will only do this if requested by you in advance of the due date by at
least one week.
Name:
English 11 R –
Research Paper Grading Rubric
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Excellent
(4)
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Good (3)
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Fair (2)
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Needs work
(1)
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Thesis Statement
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Paper includes a strong
thesis statement.
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Paper includes a thesis
statement.
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Paper includes a weak or
confused thesis statement.
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There is no clear thesis
statement.
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Development – Uses Evidence from Sources
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Paper convincingly proves
thesis using relevant evidence from a variety of sources.
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Paper proves thesis using
evidence from sources. Some details included are irrelevant or do not support
thesis.
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Paper alludes to thesis at
times but does not prove it. Most details included do not support thesis.
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Paper makes no reference to
thesis, there are not details included in support of thesis.
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Citations – Credits Sources of Information
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Correctly uses
parenthetical documentation, paper includes an annotated bibliography.
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Uses parenthetical
documentation with only minor errors. Paper includes a bibliography.
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Sources are cited
improperly or citations have been overlooked.
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Writer does not cite
sources.
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Organization
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Well-organized with a clear
introduction, supporting paragraphs, and a strong conclusion.
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Organized with an
introduction and conclusion. There may be some lack of focus in body
paragraphs.
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Very loose organization
present. A basic introduction is included, but the conclusion is either weak
or absent.
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Unfocused and thought
patterns are difficult to follow. The paper is missing an introduction and
conclusion.
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Formatting
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Correctly formatted font,
headings, margins, page numbers, spacing, title, and annotated bibliography.
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Correctly formatted font,
heading, spacing, and bibliography.
Minor errors in formatting.
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Minor errors in formatting.
Most formatting elements
are correct.
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Most elements of the
formatting are substantially incorrect.
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Length Requirement
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3 complete, double spaced
pages or more.
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Almost 2 pages in length.
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1.5 pages in length or
more.
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Less than 1.5 pages in
length.
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Grammar and Mechanics
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Paper has few or no
grammatical and mechanical errors.
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Few mechanical errors that
do not interfere with meaning. Spelling, capitalization and punctuation are
generally correct.
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Some errors present that do
not interfere with meaning.
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Substantial mechanical
errors that seriously interfere with meaning.
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Grading Scale:
28 =
100% 21 = 78% 14 = 50% 7 = 25%
27 =
97% 20 = 74% 13 = 48% 6 = 22%
26 =
93% 19 = 70% 12 = 43% 5 = 20%
25 =
90% 18 = 68% 11 = 40% 4 = 15%
24 =
86% 17 = 65% 10 = 38%
23 =
83% 16 = 61% 9 = 35%
22 =
80% 15 = 55% 8 = 30%
Additional Comments:
