Assignment

• The topic you choose for your research paper will be up to you (within reason), but I must approve it before you start. You will be asked to hand in a short written research proposal before you begin the actual research for your paper.
• Your final paper must be at least eight pages long, typed, double-spaced, on A4 paper, in 12-point Times New Roman font.
• Your paper must include references to at least three written sources, including no more than one Web site. (You may use more than three sources, of course.) You will be asked to hand in photocopies of all of your sources. References and citations must follow the APA system.
• Although it is not required, you may decide to use data collected from interviews or very short surveys. The major sources for your research should come from "library" research, however. If you do use interviews or surveys, your questions must be approved before you use them.
• You will write two drafts of the research paper and make a class presentation based on your research. Each of these will contribute to the final grade for the research project (which together will account for 30% of your final course grade). The final draft will be due during the last week of regular classes.

The final draft of your research paper must include all of the following:

1. An appropriate and informative title. This should be typed in the center in bold letters at the top of the first page. It should not be underlined or enclosed inside quotation marks.
2. An interesting introduction of about 1-3 paragraphs. (See pp. 80-84.) Your introduction must include a very clear thesis statement that explains what your paper is about and shows how your paper will be developed. (See pp. 85-91.) Most often, your thesis statement is one sentence that comes at the end of your introduction.
3. A body of about 5-8 pages. This is a synthesis of ideas from your sources and your own ideas that supports your thesis statement and leads logically to your conclusion.
4. A conclusion of not more than one page. This should summarize, restate, or re-emphasize the main ideas or argument of your paper and/or expand on the ideas you've presented in your paper. (See pp. 91-98 for some ideas about how to end your research paper.)
5. A list of all of the references you cited in your paper. Do not include references for sources you did not cite. Be sure your references (as well as the citations in your paper) are in APA style and listed in alphabetical order. Do not number your references or include bullets or other symbols before each reference. Instead, be sure you use the "hanging indentation" style required by APA. List your references on a separate page at the end of your paper. Type the word References in the center in bold type at the top of the page. It should not be underlined or enclosed inside quotation marks. You must have at least three references (all of which are cited in the paper, of course), and at least two of those must be "print" sources.

1. Consider dividing your paper into three or more sections with separate subtitles (e.g., Introduction, Discussion, Literature Review, Conclusion). Use subtitles that are informative and, if appropriate, original. Subtitles should be typed in bold letters and begin at the left margin. Avoid dividing your paper into too many very short sections, though. Each section, except perhaps the introduction and conclusion, should have several paragraphs.
2. If you included data from your own survey or interview, you might include your questionnaire or interview questions in an appendix at the end of your paper. Your appendix should be placed on a separate page after your references and should be titled Appendix, typed in bold and centered at the top of the page.

Put together all of the parts of your research paper that you have completed so far. Include at the very least a title, an introduction that includes a thesis statement, subtitles for sections you will probably include, and a reference page in APA style. Then add anything else from your critique, synthesis, other notes, etc. that you think you might use in your final paper. Leave blanks in the sections that you haven't completed yet. You might even include notes to yourself about what you need to add to the sections that are blank. Don't be afraid to cut and paste sentences, paragraphs, or whole sections from something you've written already, but be sure that you add appropriate transitions to make your ideas "flow" smoothly and coherently. Include correct APA citations, and don't forget to include page numbers for quotations (if there are any). Be sure to type in 12-point font, double-space, indent correctly, etc.

This assignment is due on Wednesday, December 5. I will comment only briefly on form and organization and return this in the next class period. (I will not grade this, but if you don't hand it in on time, I'll lower your final assignment grade 5%.)

Your complete first draft is due on Monday, December 10. I will comment on the content and development of your entire paper and return it after the break. (I will not grade this, but if you don't hand it in on time, I'll lower your final assignment grade 10%.)