California Literature Research Paper 2010

Your topic can stem from any discipline or any personal involvement that relates specifically to the California Experience. Then, using appropriate and varied evidence, write an argumentative research paper that carefully considers the complexities of the argument, including opposing positions, historical precedence, various prongs to the argument, possible solutions or compromises, and the social and cultural relevance and importance.   

The process of writing a research paper can be divided into eight steps:

1) Select a topic that you can readily research

2) Limit your topic and make the purpose of your paper clear- write clear research questions that will guide you in your research.

3) Gather information on your limited topic

4) Plan your paper and take notes on your limited topic

5) Write the paper

6) Use, without any deviation, the MLA as the format and method of documentation

7) Revise

8) Edit

Paper Requirements:

1)    Your paper topic must be one that provides for an argument.  Your thesis must be slanted (arguable).  Although your paper will be informative and expository on many levels, it is primarily an argumentative paper.

2)    Your paper must be 7 to10 pages in length (this does not include your Work Cited page or any visuals you might include as part of your paper.)

3)    You must use a minimum of 6 different sources (these will not be the first six that you find!).  Over twelve sources is unnecessary and may result in an unbalanced paper. Your primary sources will include; one outside reading text of at least 150 pgs that connects to your research topic, a film, documentary, or news segment, and a personal interview with someone who has expertise or an experiential connection to your topic. No more than 3 Internet sources can be used.

4)    All of your resources will be turned in.  Photocopying and highlighting the sections used from your researched texts will satisfy this. You will need to photocopy the cover or front page of your researched item and then the actual pages and sections used in your paper.  You will need to be organized and diligent to accomplish this task.

5)    You must follow the MLA format throughout your paper.

6)    I highly suggest that you purchase or check out the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (5^th Edition) edited by Joseph Gibaldi. It is a text you will use as a senior and as a college student.  However, this is neither required nor necessary at this time.  If you choose not to purchase the book, you can still access the MLA expected format and guidelines online.

7)    Take care to employ various types of arguments, including appeals to reasoning and emotion, to defend your thesis.  Use facts and statistics.  Use appeals to authority. 

8)    Your paper must be balanced. This means that your own voice must come through in the paper and not just the sources you’ve chosen. 

Due Dates:

Friday, March 26th^th:

Abstract of Intention (One full page of paper’s critical question and purpose)

Monday, April 12th^:

3 Researched Articles (Read and highlighted) 

Thesis and Outline

Monday, Aril 19th:

Rough Draft Due (paper should be at least 3-5 pages in length and as complete as possible, include your Work Cited page. Your rough draft should not deviate from the MLA guidelines and expectations.  Note: Your rough draft, with my comments and suggestions, will be returned on

Friday, March 30th.

Friday, May 7th:

Final Draft  

Points

Abstract of Intention: 40 Points

Three Researched Articles: 60 Points

Outline: 50 Points

1^st Draft: 100 Points

Final Draft: 200 Points

Total Points: 450

DUE DATES: (ABSOLUTELY NO LATE PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR THE ROUGH DRAFT AND FINAL DRAFT. ANYONE WHO FAILS TO SUBMIT A RESEARCH PAPER WILL NOT PARTICIPATE ON THE CALIFORNIA LITERATURE TRIP) 

Aspects of California to Consider For Research:

Political / Social- Prop 8, Budget / Taxation, political figures, Welfare programs, homeless, race riots, state budget deficits, illegal immigration, prison / industrial complex, border security, private vs public beaches access and control, demographic shifts, hospitals / healthcare, fashion, trends and inventions, Image of beauty (artificiality),

Educational- Affirmative Action, Over-crowding, Walk Outs, Teacher Strikes, State colleges,  

Environmental- Pollution, traffic congestion, Preservation, Industrialization, Over-population, water resources, alternative energy, reshaping of landscapes, Proliferation of billboards,   

Entertainment- Music, Film, Documentary, Art

Sports and Recreation- Specific sports figures, Teams, Celebrities, or a Recreational activity that is prominent to California culture

Consider the following guiding questions in your paper:

• Why did you choose the topic?  Why is it important to you personally?
• How does your topic affect others?  Who else contributes, participates, or is involved?
• Why is your topic important to the cultural fabric of California?
• What argument can be made in regard to your topic?
• Why are these arguments important?
• Why should others care about what your writing about?