Career Analysis Research Assignment

 

DON’T PANIC!  Although this is a major assignment, it is a project you will have time to complete. It is very important that you keep up with the deadlines! Once you fall behind on a deadline it is very hard to catch up! It is a good idea to work ahead as much as possible.  This assignment is more than just a paper.  It is a lesson in self-regulated learning (self-discipline, self-expression, etc.), and FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS.

Note:  If you have never written a research paper do not worry!  I will help you learn so you can complete your paper.  Your hard work will all pay off!  You can do it!Read or re-read Chapter R (Research) in your HarbraceEssential textbook.

 

Research Paper Purpose:  Effectively describe a career(profession or occupation) by telling what that career involves, and analyze that career or career field by examining the benefits and drawbacks and how one enters into that career or career field.

 

What Makes a Good Topic:  A career that you might pursue in the future or that you have an interest in now.

 

Format:  You will examine several areas in your paper – be creative, but cover the main points:

1. Hook to interest the reader

 

2. Introduction and background information (two to four paragraphs) – with the thesis statement at the end of this section
   1. Should include brief history of the career, including dates, significant events, and key players.
   2. Should include a thorough description of the career – types of activities, major responsibilities, and salary
   3. Thesis statement should “argue” three main reasons this career is “right” or appealing to you

 

3. Points that support your thesis statement (three to four paragraphs)

The benefits of the career – why choose this line of work? Advantages of this career or career field

 

4. Opposite view –argument: (one to two paragraphs)

The negative aspects – what are the disadvantages?

 

5. Conclusion: (one to two paragraphs)
6. The method of becoming a part of this field (schooling needed, internships, entry level work, etc.)
7. Your reflection on if this career is the right choice for you – concluding remarks

 

Research Project Value:

Research Paper Guidelines

1. Length: 1000(minimum) to 2,000 words – not including Works Cited or Heading

 

2. General Guidelines &MLA Format:
   1. type your paper using Times New Roman, 12 point font
   2. double space
   3. DO NOT put four spaces (double double spacing) between paragraphs
   4. use one inch margins on all sides
   5. indent paragraphs five spaces (or use the tab key once)
   6. number the pages in the top right hand corner of each page by typing your last name followed by a space and then the page number, EX: Jones 2
   7. avoidcommon English errors (verb tense problems, shifting in person and number or shifting in verb tense, use of vague words, pronoun problems, fragments, run-ons, comma usage)
   8. use MLA format for in-text citations and the Works Cited page
   9. make proper use of quotations, paraphrase, and summary – and mark by listing after use
   10. use signal phrases to introduce your source information
   11. use transitions to lead the readers – to “connect” the paragraphs to your purpose (thesis)

 

3. Organization:
   1. Your paper should be include:
4. First page MLA heading. Thesis statement = last

sentence in introduction.

2. Body of paper
3. Works Cited Page -Questia and the NSCC Library have helpful tools (citation machines) for creating in-text citations and Works Cited pages.

 

1. Submit your paper in D2L
2. Turn in 2-pocket folder with copies of all source material. Your quotes, paraphrases, and summaries should be highlighted.

 

 

Guidelines Regarding Sources

Remember, this is a RESEARCH PAPER. The most important part of the paper is the strength of your sources!

 

1. Your paper must include at least five sources.  Each must be cited in your paper at least once.  You must have at least three quotations in your paper, and one must be longer than four lines (special use of MLA format).

 

1. Only career encyclopedias are allowed.  No regular encyclopedias are allowed!  This includes any online or computer encyclopedias.

 

Sources Required:Use a minimum of 5 sources that support your thesis statement from the following options:

 

• Articles and books from Questia–You need 2 sources from Questia
• Articles from an online database available through the Northeast State Library (NOT just an abstract)
• Print sources (book or article from a magazine, newspaper, or journal) – may be NSTCC e-book, data base, or traditional hard copy source
• Legitimate and reliable websites (such as one for a recognized organization or a state or federal department)
• Legitimate Pamphlets, Television Programs, Expert Interview, Film, Speeches, or Lectures, etc.

 

You may use more than the 5 sources required.Questia and the NSCC Library have helpful tools (citation machines) for creating in-text citations and Works Cited pages.

 

Your essay should include a total of at least 5 integrated sources (use a signal phrase to introduce sources) including 1 long quote, 1 short quote, 1 summary, and 1 paraphrasefrom your sources (you may use other legitimate sources –  5 is the minimum list) .

The following sites or others like these are not acceptable:Wikipedia, Ehow.com, Yahoo.com, Mahalo.com

 

Any sites other than NSCC databases must be evaluated for reliability and validity using the web evaluation questions on the NSCC website. Your textbook has a section concerning how to evaluate sources.

 

The goal of this project is for you to do the following:

• Carefully research a career and analyzeif this is a good career choice for you
• Effectively write and communicate with information about the career
• Accurately use MLA format for in-text citations and Works Cited page

 

Other Guidelines

 

The due dates for outline, annotated bibliography, draft, and paper are listed on your daily syllabus.

You must submit paper in Dropbox.

You must submit your sources to me in a 2-pocket folder

Late papers will be penalized with deductions in points.

 

Additional Guidelines &Formatting:

 

View example: MLA Chapter & Paper in Textbook, sample student “A” paper and course site information in D2L

 

Underline the thesis statement. Write total number of words on the last page of the paper- lower left corner.

 

Integrate (introduce your sources into the paper) – Use signal phrases to introduce sources.

 

Your paper should have a clear organization and effective writing strategy –or a combination of writing strategies

 

 

 

 

Grading Criteria…Your paper needs to:

 

1. Show evidence of applying the process of research writing (conducting research, understanding the results of your research, and writing a paper on your understanding of research)
2. Present a suitable topic that has been refined into a research question- stay on topic
3. Have an introductory paragraph that leads into the body of your paper effectively.

4,  Include a thesis statement that sets out the central theme of the paper and is sustained throughout the paper.

Underline the thesis statement!

5. Present your persuasive argument supported by quoting, paraphrasing and summarizing your sources according

to MLA documentation (MLA Chapter in textbook)

6,  Your essay should include at least 1 long quote, 1 short quote, 1 summary, and 1 paraphrase from your

Sources-remember to smoothly “introduce” your sources to the reader (Text:Using Sources Critically & Responsibly).

7. Identify the use of integrating sources by listing the type of integration and underlining –Example:paraphrase.

8, Be clearly organized and have your sources integrated into paper without plagiarizing

9, Use parenthetical (in-text citations) references to document your sources (See Chapter on MLA Documentation)

10. Present a logical concluding paragraph with an effective end to your paper

11, Be revised, edited, and proofread with corrections in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and mechanics

12, Have an interesting title and use vivid and specific Standard English – use college level

13, Have appropriate transitions to connect the supporting paragraphs to the thesis sentence and to connect sentences to

topic sentence in body paragraphs