Academic Writing Spring 2017

Research Paper

For this class, your research paper will focus on one topic of your choice. Past research papers
have focused on Sony business strategies, gender inequality in Thailand, the musical Hair,
Chinese politics, etc. You can choose a topic that interests you, but you need to have it approved.
It is important that your topic is specific and something that can be researched.

As you write your paper, you will need to go beyond the obvious (things we could know without
reading your paper) and support your ideas with specific examples. You will need to do a lot of
research for your paper.

You will be evaluated on (your grade will be based on):

Fulfilling the "research paper assumptions" numbers 1-7A
Note: grammar will be evaluated only on the final paper

Response to audience and assignment

The paper has a topic that is relevant to the readers and the paper is thought-provoking;
the paper is interesting and makes the readers think about the topic in a new way.

Process
This means doing all parts of the paper before the final revision seriously and completely.

We will address all of these issues in class in the next two months as you write your paper.

Details:
5-6 pages
APA format for paper, citations, and references

Important Dates:

Paper Topic Feb. 23

List of Sources Mar. 27 bring a list of 10 articles for your research paper.
Annotated Bibliography Apr. 3 5 sources must be identified for the paper, summarized,
and the main arguments explained and connected to the thesis.
RP Outline Apr. 6 bring a printed copy to class
Final Paper Apr. 24 bring a printed copy to class

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Academic Writing Spring 2017

Research Paper Assumptions

Unless the paper assignment or the professor has specified something different, research papers
in the US should follow these points. In other words, if the assignment is simply "to write a
research paper about X" and there are no more directions, this is what the professor typically
assumes.

1. The paper will be thesis driven.

A. The paper will have one central main idea (the thesis)
B. All parts of the paper will relate to the thesis
C. The thesis will be specific and arguable
D. The thesis will be stated clearly in the introduction and conclusion of the paper

2. The paper will have a linear style of organization

Note: some fields may have specific requirements for organization
A. Three-parts: Introduction, Body, and Conclusion
B. Ideas are connected each other explicitly (explain how the ideas connect)
C. Papers tend to progress from more facts and background information to more
analysis

3. The paper will incorporate research

A. From a variety of sources
1. print and electronic
2. often primary and secondary sources
B. At least some recent (within the last 5 years) sources
(For this paper only: a total of at least 8 secondary sources)

4. The paper will conform to standards of academic integrity

A. no plagiarism
B. citations in the paper
C. list of sources at the end
D. citations and list of sources are in a standard format (APA)
E. you wrote your own paper

5. The paper is error- free

A. Research papers are formal papers, which means you spend a lot of time on them
B. The writer has proof-read for spelling and grammar mistakes.

6. The paper follows all specific directions given by the professor

7. If you need help with the paper, you take the initiative to get it
A. Visit the professor
B. Use the Writing Center or Writing Lab
C. Go to a librarian for help with research
D. Have a friend proofread (see guidelines for proofreading in order to avoid any
suspicion of plagiarism)

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