Independent Research Essay Prompt Academic Writing 6
Part I
This project asks you to use all of the techniques and approaches that were presented in the texts, readings, and lectures throughout the quarter; however, in this essay, students will work independently. The topic that students will be reading about is Risking Change: Working for a Better World. Students must independently answer the following question:
What are three ways that people can make changes in society in lasting and constructive ways?
In order to answer the question, students must read assigned articles and apply all of the writing techniques in their independent essay. Even though the topic of the essay is given, students still need to independently go through each step of the writing process. Students will independently follow Steps 1-6.Students may go back and review PowerPoints from previous weeks.
Your Final Independent Research essay MUST:
- include a formal and academic tone
- include the research question
- include a thesis statement with a topic, focus, and three sub-points (Placed at the end of your introduction the first paragraph)
- be a minimum of 9 paragraphs
- include topic sentences with a specific point at the beginning of each paragraph
- include in-text citations using APA style
- incorporate evidence from 6 sources – 3 must come from our textbookand 3 must come from Pfau Library’s Databases– that supports the thesis statement and three sub points
- introduce evidence using Format 2
- include a supporting quote from a source in every paragraph
- include a paraphrase for every quote used
- include a counter argument paragraph
- include a title page
- include an abstract page
- include a References page
- keep use of personal pronouns (you, I, my, us, we, our) to a minimum
Length: 1100-1200 words, double-spaced, stapled, 1 inch margins, and Times New Roman size 12pt font
Format: APA, including properly formatted title page, running heading, format, References page.
Value: 100 points
Part II – Independent Research Paper Packet Steps
Step 1: Computer Notes(10 Points)
Computer notes help students organize and keep their ideas in order.
Step 2: Rough Outline(15 Points)
The rough outline helps students apply their notes. The rough outline includes the topic of the paper, research question, and lists possible answers to the research question.
Rough Outline – Academic Writing 6
The rough outline helps students brainstorm and come up with the three possible sub points to use in the thesis statement. Also, the rough outline helps to narrow the topic.
Question:
Focus of Question:
Note Cards List
| Note Cards Information | Your Knowledge about the topic |
Answers to Question:
- Rough Draft (Complete rough draft below.)
Research Question:
Focus of Research Question:
Answers to Research Question:
Note:(Adapted from Sourcework: Academic Writing From Sources 2 nd ed. Dollahite and Haun)
Step 3: Research Proposal (10 points)
Directions: When students are beginning or writing about a topic, creating a research proposal is one of the best ways to clarify what students will write about. A good research proposal
- is about 75-100 words long.
- is written INFORMAL language.
- includes the topic you will research.
- gives an explanation of why the topic interests you.
- mentions several questions you hope to answer about the topic.
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