Research Paper Guidelines

printable version of research paper guidelines (.pdf, 10Kb)

For your research paper, you will be writing an extended essay based on one of the frame we have read in class and at least 8 sources (6 scholarly). The little bit we read from Miller can cannot be used as a frame (it is too short and simple), but if you find his writing interesting, please read the rest of his book. Scholarly sources are texts from books or journals-newspaper and magazine articles are not examples of scholarly texts, although much of the time you may find the authors of those articles are also the authors of scholarly texts. One of the frame texts we have read in class will most likely become one of your two frame texts; the other will depend on your topic and the theories your topic needs. Most of the sources you find in the library will be your secondary sources and will constitute the case of your essay.

The frame of the essay consists of the terms or ideas with which you will discuss your case. One essay from class must become part of your frame; you can have no more than 2 frame texts. The frame is what complicates the event or idea that you are discussing; the frame puts the case in a new light, or discusses it in a new way. An example of a frame/case relationship might be: using proportionality to show that the bombing of Hiroshima was not justified. It is VERY important that you do not have a frame that too easily discusses your case-or, more exactly, you must not have case sources that all agree on a subject. A complex frame-like Coates or Regan where they get into the nitty-gritty of the complexities of their theories-is better because with the complex theories you will be able to find subtle differences and distinctions in your discussion. Differences are what you are looking for. The frame is what allows you to make your research topic your own.

The case essays are the essays that discuss the various aspects of your topic and are broken down into two subsections: discussion and primary. Discussion texts discuss the actual topic, ones that show the different sides of the issue you will be debating. Primary texts are first-hand accounts, testimonies, speeches, etc., and are often used as a means to narrow topics and/or to use as specific, original, unanalyzed pieces of information. Examples of primary texts can be: POW survivor memoirs, President Johnson's speeches or letters, Michael Herr's Dispatches-one of the most important journalist books on Vietnam, etc.

Goals of the Essay

  1. To write a scholarly research paper, NOT a report. A report merely gathers data or "facts"; an essay engages in an existing debate, evaluates positions in a debate, makes arguments, draws connections, presents evidence, and most importantly for our papers, discusses the topic in a new and interesting way.
  2. To define and formulate a set of issues that emerge from your readings and to engage in these issues.
  3. To make an argument that provides your reader with both a reading and evidence to back up this reading.
  4. To read and utilize your sources sensitively and correctly. This means that you need to both ensure that you have understood an author's argument correctly and that you properly acknowledge her/her ideas.

Research Paper Requirements

  1. Your final paper must be no less than 11 full pages (no more than 15, please) typed, double spaced, 1 inch margins all around, using Times New Roman font size 12. An essay not written in the above format will not be read.
  2. A Works Cited List attached to the end of the paper, paginated with the paper. It must confirm to MLA guidelines. The Works Cited List is in addition to the 11 page minimum.
  3. Any punctuation mistakes relating to quotation will count against you.
  4. Of the 6 required scholarly sources, 3 must be scholarly books. At least one of those books must be obtained via Inter-library Loan. The other 3 can be journal articles.

important dates

M 2/26   Research Paper Proposal due
W 3/7   Library Day; meet in the lobby of the Campbell Library
M 3/19   First class back from Spring Break
M 3/19   Library Day; meet in the lobby of the Campbell Library
W 3/21   Research Process Essays due;
M 3/25   First Draft of Research Paper due
W 3/29   Class Cancelled for Conferences
M 4/9 W 4/11   Second Draft of Research Paper Due
W 4/11 W 4/18   Rough Draft of Works Cited List due
M 4/16 M 4/23   Third Draft of Research Paper Due
W 4/25   Class Cancelled for Conferences
M 4/30   Final Research Paper Due; Last day of class
H 5/3   Final Learning Record Due