who can do a research topic about american literature or american history? You will be completing the research along with the planning guide and the

Task

Start

Complete

Complete the Planning a Research Paper Unit. Submit the Research Paper Planning Assignment—assignment includes topic selection and formal outline.

Lesson: Plan Your Research Paper

Lesson: Develop Your Outline

Complete the Drafting a Research Paper Unit. Submit your Research Paper First Draft.

Lesson: Begin Your Draft

Lesson: Complete Your Draft

Complete the Finalizing a Research Paper Unit. Submit your Research Paper Final Draft.

Lesson: Review Your Research Paper

Lesson: Polish Your Research Paper

Criterion

5

4

3

2

1

Purpose

The research paper does an outstanding job of fulfilling its purpose of providing substantial information on the chosen topic. The writer seems interested in the topic, and the details provided are complete and cover the topic fully. There is no irrelevant information present. Readers are not left with lingering questions about the topic.

The research paper does a good job in fulfilling its purpose of providing information on the chosen topic, but the topic could be developed more fully. There are gaps in the information that leave readers with questions, or there is some information presented that is irrelevant to the topic.

The purpose of the research paper is not entirely clear. The writer provides some information on the topic, but there are gaps that leave readers with questions. There is irrelevant information that makes readers question what the main purpose of the paper is.

The research paper does not fulfill its purpose of providing information about a topic. The information on the chosen topic is sparse, and the paper lacks significant details. The paper also contains irrelevant information.

The purpose of the research paper is not clear. The writer did not do appropriate research. There is not enough information on the stated topic, or the information is not about the stated topic.

Ideas and Content

The research paper is on a topic that interests the writer. The topic is narrow enough that it can be thoroughly covered, and a thesis statement provides a clear focus for the paper. The topic is fully researched and very well developed with facts and quotations from cited sources that include at least five sources, two of which should be print sources. The research paper includes a comprehensive Works Cited page.

The research paper is on a topic that is sufficiently narrow and that interests the writer. Although the paper contains a thesis statement, it does not focus the paper as well as it could. A great deal of research is present, but because the thesis statement is not focused well, the writer does not answer all pertinent questions and includes extraneous information. The research paper contains facts and quotations from cited sources, including at least five sources, two of which should be print sources, and it includes a Works Cited page.

It is unclear whether the topic of this research paper interests the writer, because there are gaps in information. The thesis statement is vague, and the research is inadequate, even though the topic may be sufficiently narrow. The paper contains facts and quotations, but sources are not always cited. The writer relies heavily on websites and does not include enough research from print sources. The research paper includes a Works Cited page, but it is not complete.

The writer does not appear interested in this topic, and many questions are left unanswered. There is no clear expression of a thesis statement. The research is insufficient, unsubstantiated, or relies upon faulty sources. It does not contain quotations and facts cited from valid sources. The Works Cited page is either incomplete or missing.

The topic of this research paper does not lend itself to academic research. There is no thesis statement that focuses the paper, and there are no cited facts and quotations from appropriate sources, so the research is negligible. There is no Works Cited page.

Structure and Organization

The research paper has a clear structure with an introductory paragraph or paragraphs that grab the reader's attention and clearly state the thesis. Each body paragraph contains reasons or evidence in the form of facts and quotations that support the thesis. The conclusion tells readers what the writer has learned or leaves readers with something to think about. The writer uses an appropriate pattern of organization that fits the topic and thesis. Transitions are used to clarify ideas and to move smoothly within and between paragraphs. The paper includes thought-provoking and specific headings, interesting and informative graphics, and an instructive multimedia component that aids comprehension.

The research paper has a clear structure—introduction with a thesis statement, body paragraphs, and a conclusion—although one part of the structure may not be developed well. The writer occasionally strays from a pattern of organization, but transitions are generally used effectively. The paper includes useful headings, most of which are specific, relevant graphics, and a multimedia component that aids in comprehension.

The structure of the research paper is usually clear, with an introduction, thesis statement, body, and conclusion. However, the writer does not always use a new paragraph for a new idea. The pattern of organization is not always clear, but readers can usually follow the ideas. The writer uses some transitions, but more are needed to make content flow more smoothly. The paper includes headings and graphics, though some may be generic or not entirely connected to the paper’s subject matter, and a multimedia component.

The structure of the research paper is somewhat clear. There seems to be an introduction, body, and a conclusion, but the writer does not use paragraphing well. The pattern of organization is somewhat unclear, and the writer tends to jump around. Minimal transitions are used to connect ideas. The paper is missing headings, graphics, or a multimedia component, or it uses one or more of these elements in ways that detract from the writing of the piece.

The structure of the research paper is almost nonexistent. There may be only one or two long paragraphs, and there are few or no transitions between ideas. The paper has neither headings, nor graphics, nor a multimedia component

Language and Word Choice

The student considers purpose and audience in the language, tone, and voice of the research paper. The student uses formal language, several domain-specific words, and several literary techniques, such as similes, metaphors, and analogies to explain concepts and provide clear information. The tone is serious, and the voice is consistently objective, with no personal opinions offered.

The student usually considers purpose and audience in the language, tone, and voice of the research paper. The student usually employs formal language, uses at least one domain-specific word, and includes at least one simile, metaphor, or analogy to explain concepts and provide clear information. The tone is serious, and the voice is usually objective, although sometimes the student might state an opinion.

The student attempts to consider purpose and audience in the language, tone, and voice of the research paper. However, the student sometimes loses sight of one of these aspects and includes inappropriate language or wording, misses opportunities to incorporate domain-specific words, or fails to use literary techniques, such as similes, metaphors, or analogies to explain concepts and provide clear information. Imprecise language is sometimes confusing, but readers can usually figure out the meaning. The tone of the paper is serious, but some of the language is informal. The voice of the research paper is not consistently objective, and the student's opinions are present.

The student does not seem to consider purpose and audience when selecting language, tone, and voice. There are several instances of inappropriate language or wording being used, the student does not incorporate domain-specific vocabulary, or the attempts to use literary techniques, such as similes, metaphors, or analogies, to explain concepts or provide clear information only serve to muddle the paper’s message. The language tends to be informal and imprecise, leaving readers trying to figure out the meaning. The tone is not consistently serious, and the research paper contains many opinions.

There is little consideration for purpose and audience in the student's choice of language, tone, and voice. The paper lacks any domain-specific vocabulary and contains no literary techniques that might explain concepts or provide clear information to readers. The research paper contains personal opinions, comments, and exclamations. The research paper contains informal language, including slang and other inappropriate expressions.

Sentences and Mechanics

Each sentence expresses a complete thought, and sentence beginnings and structures are varied. Quotations contain the exact words of the source and are punctuated correctly. If the quotation is embedded as a phrase in a sentence, it is not capitalized. All citations within the research paper and on the Works Cited page are in proper citation format. There are extremely few errors in grammar, in usage, and in mechanics, and those errors that exist do not impede readers’ understanding.

Most sentences contain complete thoughts, and sentences are varied. Quotations are used for the exact words of a source, but sometimes they are not punctuated correctly. Most citations within the paper and on the Works Cited page are in proper citation format. There are few errors in grammar, in usage, and in mechanics, and those errors that exist rarely interfere with readers’ ability to understand.

Sentences do not all contain complete thoughts, although there may be some sentence variety. There are several unintentional fragments and run-ons. Some quotations are not punctuated correctly, and not all citations are in proper citation format. There are errors in grammar, in usage, and in mechanics that sometimes interfere with readers’ ability to understand.

Many sentences are incomplete, and it is difficult to recognize quotations. Many citations are in improper citation format. There are errors in grammar, in usage, and in mechanics that make the paper difficult to understand.

Most sentences contain errors in structure. Quotations, if used, may be incorrectly punctuated. Most citations, if present, are in improper citation format. Multiple errors in grammar, in usage, and in mechanics make the paper difficult to understand.