Research Paper Handbook

Research Paper Handbook
Research Paper Handbook
2
Research Packet Table of Contents
Research Paper Project Overview ……………………………………………..….…3
Plagiarism ……………………………………………..…………………………..4-5
Parent Letter………………………………….……………………………………. 6
Research Paper Checklist ………………………………………………..…………..7
MLA Format for Research Papers …………………………………………………..8
Finding and Evaluating Web Sources ……………………………………......…...9-10
Depths of Complexity ……………………………………………………….…11-12
Works Cited Page …………………………………………………........……….13-14
Bibliography/Notecards……………………………………………………..……..15
Annotating for a Research Paper …………………………………………….…16-17
Rhetorical Terms ……………………………………………………...………..18-24
Thesis Statement ………………………………………………....…….……….25-26
Introductions ……………………………………………………………….….…..27
Schaffer Method Body Paragraphs …………………………………….…...………28
Beyond Schaffer Method……………………………………..…………………29-30
Body Paragraph Template …………………………………………...………….….31
Integrating Quotes …………………………………………………...…………32-34
Transitions ……………………………………………………..…………………..35
Peer Editing ……………………………………………………………...….….36-37
State Standards …………………………………………………………………….38
Research Paper Handbook
3
Research Project Overview
Project Overview:
Students will develop writing that demonstrates a command of standard American English as well as
research, organization, and drafting strategies. Students should select a specific topic that has a
“provable” component to it. Do not create a report that solely gives information on a topic. Pick a
topic from the given list and prove something specific in regards to impact and/or significance.
Project requirements:
CP English II
Advanced English II
1. 2-4 page length.
2. MLA format.
3. Five source minimum. One source must
be in book form, and one source must be
a printed periodical.
4. All sources must be cited in the body of
the essay.
5. Students will include a works cited page at
the end of their essay.
1. 3-5 page length.
2. MLA format.
3. Seven source minimum. One source must
be in book form, and one source must be a
printed periodical.
4. All sources must be cited in the body of the
essay.
5. Students will include a works cited page at
the end of their essay.
Research Material Options:




Print
Books
Magazines
Newspapers
Educational
publications/pamphlets
Web
 EBSCO
 Online periodicals
(nytimes.com; latimes.com;
msnbc.com; foxnews.com;
etc.
 Any other online source must
be validated by teacher

Other
 Documentaries
 Personal interviews (must be
with someone who is an
expert on the topic; must be
validated by teacher).
Research Paper Handbook
4
Plagiarism
“58.3% of high school students let someone else copy their work in 1969, and 97.5% did
so in 1989”-- The State of Americans: This Generation and the Next
“30% of a large sampling of Berkeley students were recently caught plagiarizing directly
from the Internet”-- results of a Turnitin.com test, conducted from April-May 2000
Plagiarism is passing off the work of someone else as your own. See the
handbook regarding consequences.
Material is probably common knowledge if . . .









You find the same information undocumented in at least five other sources
You think it is information that your readers will already know
You think a person could easily find the information with general reference sources
Need to Document
When you are using or referring to
somebody else’s words or ideas from a
magazine, book, newspaper, song, TV
program, movie, Web page, computer
program, letter, advertisement, or any
other medium
When you use information gained
through interviewing another person
When you copy the exact words or a
"unique phrase" from somewhere
When you reprint any diagrams,
illustrations, charts, and pictures
When you use ideas that others have
given you in conversations or over email
When you use any statistic
When Researching and Notetaking
Action during the writing process
 Mark everything that is someone else’s
words with a big Q (for quote) or with
big quotation marks
 Indicate in your notes which ideas are
taken from sources (S) and which are
your own insights (ME)
 Record all of the relevant documentation
information in your notes




No Need to Document
When you are writing your own
experiences, your own observations, your
own insights, your own thoughts, your
own conclusions about a subject
When you are using "common
knowledge" — folklore, common sense
observations, shared information within
your field of study or cultural group
When you are compiling generally
accepted facts
When you are writing up your own
experimental results
Appearance on the finished product
Proofread and check with your notes (or
photocopies of sources) to make sure that
anything taken from your notes is acknowledged
by using any of the following methods:



Integrated Quote with an in text citation
Paraphrasing with and in text citation
Large Quotation method
Research Paper Handbook
5
Making Sure You Are Safe
Action during the writing process
When
paraphrasing
and
summarizing


When quoting
directly


Appearance on the finished product
First, write your paraphrase and
summary without looking at the
original text, so you rely only on
your memory.
Next, check your version with
the original for content,
accuracy, and mistakenly
borrowed phrases

Keep the person’s name near
the quote in your notes, and in
your paper
Select those direct quotes that
make the most impact in your
paper -- too many direct quotes
may lessen your credibility and
interfere with your style




Begin your summary with a
statement giving credit to the
source: According to Jonathan
Kozol, ...
Put any unique words or
phrases that you cannot
change, or do not want to
change, in quotation marks: ...
"savage inequalities" exist throughout
our educational system (Kozol).
Mention the person’s name
either at the beginning of the
quote, in the middle, or at the
end
Put quotation marks around the
text that you are quoting
Indicate added phrases in
brackets ([ ]) and omitted text
with ellipses (. . .)
Research Paper Handbook
6
Dear Parent/Guardian,
Your student will begin the sophomore research paper next week in his/her English class. This
research paper constitutes a large percentage of your student’s final semester grade; it is a mandatory
requirement for ALL grade levels.
It is imperative that you and your student understand that failure to complete the assignment or a
failing grade on the assignment will almost certainly result in an “F” grade for the semester. Because
the research paper is a vital part of your student’s semester grade, your student will be given
adequate time to research and complete the assignment. Be advised that your student may need to
conduct research on his/her own time; please plan accordingly.
Additionally, note the plagiarism policy for the FIRST OFFENSE according to the handbook:
 Student earns a referral to the counselor
 LOSS OF ALL CREDITS FOR THE ASSIGNMENT or test with NO MAKE-UP
PERMITTED
 Conference with the student, parent/guardian, teacher, and counselor.
If you desire, you can find copies a copy of the research packet and research assignment on my
website. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at:
Phone: _____________________________________________
Email: ______________________________________________
Respectfully,
Research Paper Notification
Parents/Guardians and students: please print and sign your name below to indicate that you have
read and understand the importance of the research paper and the consequences of an incomplete
or “F” grade.
______________________________ ______________________________
Print Student Name
Student Signature
______________
Date
______________________________ ______________________________
Print Parent/Guardian Name
Parent/Guardian Signature
______________
Date
Research Paper Handbook
7
Research Paper Checklist
Parent/Guardian Signature Form Due: ________________
Topic Selection: ____________________________________ Due:___________
Controlling Idea:
________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________Due: ____________
Research Due: _______________
Works Cited Due: ___________________
Thesis Statement: _______________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________Due: ____________
Outline Due: __________
Rough Draft Due: __________
Final Draft Due: __________
Research Paper Handbook
8
MLA Format for Research Papers
Printing or Typing:
1. Research Papers must be typed
2. Times New Roman Font Only
3. 12 point font
4. Use only one side of the paper (do not print on the back)
Margins:
1. One inch margins throughout the entire paper
2. Indent the first word of a paragraph on half inch (five spaces or one Tab space)
3. Indent long format quotations one inch (ten spaces) from the left margin
Spacing:
1. Double Space throughout the entire paper including quotations, notes, heading, and list of
works cited.
PAGE ONE
1”
1”
Building
½”
Building Industry
Jordan 1
benefits
Everything
Economics could be one
Michael Jordan
is double
paragraph
spaced,
Or
Mr. Wuchner
including
Building , loss of income,
the
war, and airline industry
Advanced English II, Period could
1 be 4 paragraphs
heading.
1”
Airlines spend money
27 Sept. 2008
on safety
Costs taxpayers $
School
Uniforms
Benefit Students
Airlines
in financial
trouble
Everyone has seen the tragicWar
headlines
costs $screaming of death of the death of a
Taxpayers pay for the
teenager who was killed for a pair of sneakers
war or jewelry or designer jacket. In Detroit
Companies that contract
for the gov’t make
MIDDLE
PAGES
money
Economic Jumpstart?
½”
Taxpayers can buy less
People afraid to fly
Jordan 2
Family Impact
1”
Lifefrequently
Insuranceand the public has begun trying
this type of violence happens far too
Companies pay
Cost passed
to more on making the lives of
more aggressively to get the politicians
to focus
consumer?
War
Airline Industry
Loss of Income
Title is centered. Do not
bold, underline, or italicize.
Research Paper Handbook
9
Finding and Evaluating Sources
Your information search:
TIP: Use the Works Cited every time you find
a new source
Source Quality Check:
Print Search
Electronic Search
1. Start with a reliable encyclopedia to get
background information on as many
different aspects of your topic as possible
2. Look in the works cited at the end of the
article for suggestions for further research
3. Find and review as many of the sources in
the bibliography section as possible.
4. Review the works cited section (found in
the back of the book) for each of those
sources
5. Find and review as many of the sources in
those bibliography pages as possible
6. Etc.
1. Log onto the EBSCO database
2. Search for articles with important key
words in and surrounding your topic
3. Find and review as many articles as you can
and decide which ones are applicable.
4. Use the works cited for each applicable
article
5. Find and review as many sources in the
bibliography section as possible.
6. Repeat for reliable news sites
7. As a last resort use google, but be sure to
analyze carefully whether or not the article is
reliable and appropriate or not (all such
article must be verified by your teacher).
DO NOT FORGET
1. DO A SOURCE QUALITY CHECK FOR
ALL ARTICLES
2. PHOTOCOPY ALL ARTICLES OR
APPROPRIATE BOOK SECTIONS
3. CREATE A SOURCE CARD FOR ALL
ARTICLES
4. HIGHLIGHT PHOTOCOPY AND
ANNOTATE ALL SOURCES
1. DO A SOURCE QUALITY CHECK FOR
ALL ARTICLES
2. PRINT ALL ARTICLES
3. CREATE A SOURCE CARD FOR ALL
ARTICLES
4. HIGHLIGHT PRINTED ARTICLE AND
ANNOTATE ALL SOURCES
Every book, periodical article, or other resource should be evaluated to determine its quality and its
relevance to your topic and the nature of your assignment. Use the criteria below to help you
evaluate resources.
 What are the author's education and experience? Look for information about the author in
the publication itself.
 Who is the audience for the publication (scholarly or general)?
 Is the publication primary or secondary in nature?
 Does it provide general background information or in-depth information on a specific topic?
Which do you need?
 How extensive is the bibliography? Can you use these references to find more information?
 What is the publication date?
 How up-to-date are the citations in the bibliography?
 How current do you need for your topic?
Research Paper Handbook 10
Determine whether the information is fact, opinion or propaganda.
 Are there footnotes to show the source of the facts or quotes?
 Does the publisher have a particular bias?
 Are opinions or propaganda easy to recognize?
 Do the words and phrases play to your emotions or bias the content?
http://library.csun.edu/mwoodley/Scholarly.html
Questions:
1. Where do you commonly find the publication date in a book?
2. How do you determine who the “audience” is for this book?
3. What is a bibliography?
How to Read a Web Address:
Domain Name
The domain name can give you a good idea about the accuracy and reliability of the information
you will find at that web address. The domain is found after the http:// and www. to the first
forward slash /.
Extensions
Examples: .com and .net.
You probably know quite a few already. Extensions are intended to show the type of
establishment that owns and publishes the domain.
.edu
Educational organization
.k12 US school site
.sch
School site
.mil military institution
.com
Company
.org organization
.gov
Government agency
.net
Network
New extensions to look for are: .biz, .name, .pro, .info. All are used for commercial purposes.
Extensions can also include country codes such as .uk, .ca, .za, etc.
Personal Web Pages
A personal page is a Web site created by an individual. The Web site may contain useful
information and links to important resources and helpful facts, but often these pages offer highly
biased opinions and are not recommended.
The presence of a name in the URL such as bsmith and a tilde ~ or % or the word users or
people or members frequently means you are on a personal web site. Even if the site has the
extension, .edu, you still need to look out for personal pages. Ask yourself “who is the author
and what are their credentials?”
Questions:
1. Which of he above sites are more likely to have the most reliable information?
2. Which ones may present information with a bias?
3. Which sites may be trying to sell you a product?
4. How can you use this information to evaluate the information on the web site?
5. What are clues in the URL that help identify the site as a personal web page?
Research Paper Handbook 11
Depths of Complexity Brainstorming
Depths of Complexity: to examine an issue or question critically and thoroughly, it must be
done from many different perspectives. The following are 19 possible perspectives.
1. Ethical concerns
2. Societal, Global
implications
3. Individual concerns:
psychological, physical,
emotional
4. Family concerns
5. Economics
6. Religious
7. Medical
benefits/concerns
8. Humane/Inhumane
9. Race relations
10. Safety
11. Environmental
concerns
12. Pretext (false reasons)
13. Cultural impact
14. Mankind’s
responsibility for a
better future
15. Scientific concerns
16. Education
17. Legal
18. Political implications
(media politics)
19. Military concerns
Peel the Onion:
1. Choose a “depth of complexity” item that is affected by your topic
2. Create a chain reaction graphic organizer for each depth of complexity you chose
a. Think of as many starting points for each depth of complexity as possible
b. Go as far as possible from each starting point.
3. Repeat for each new depth of complexity.
Thesis: the Point of View or opinion you have about your topic. It is an argument. You must take
a side. Make a defensible statement.
Topic Sentences: the topic of each body paragraph. This is the first sentence in each body
paragraph.
1. Simply state what the paragraph will be about and how it helps prove your thesis
2. Simple and clear is okay.
Working Outline: Thesis + 5 topic sentences
Research Paper Handbook 12
Brainstorming Practice/Example
Topic: September 11
Depths of Complexity:
1. Economics
2. ?
Peeling the Onion: create a graphic organizer for all 6 depths of complexity
Economics
Building
Building
Industry
benefits
Costs
taxpayers
$
Loss of Income
Family
Impact
Life Insurance
War
War
costs $
Economic
Jumpstart?
People
afraid to fly
Taxpayers
pay for the
war
Companies
that
contract for
the gov’t
make
money
Airlines
spend
money on
safety
Companies pay
Cost passed to
consumer?
Airline Industry
Taxpayers
can buy
less
Economics could be one paragraph
Or
Building , loss of income, war, and airline industry could be 4 paragraphs
Airlines in
financial
trouble
Research Paper Handbook 13
Creating Your Works Cited Page





Basic Set Up
1) Font is Times New Roman
2) Double spaced
a. Select “Format” at the top of the page
i. Select “Paragraph” from the menu
1) Find “Line Spacing”
a)
Select “Double Space”
Setting up the header
1) Select “View” at the top of the page
a. Select “Header and Footer” (a box will appear at the top of the page
b. Move the cursor all the way to the right of the box
2) Select “Insert”
a. Choose “Insert Page numbers”
b. A dialogue box will appear; choose the following.
i. Position = top of the page
ii. Alignment = right
iii. Show number on first page
Add the Title centered (no special formatting i.e. word art, big font, new font, underlining,
bold, etc.)
Press return and move the cursor all the way to the left
Create “Hanging Indentation”
1) On the ruler at the top of the page, drag the middle arrow (the hanging indent arrow)
over half an inch.
2) Everything will now automatically be indented correctly.
Sample works cited page
Wuchner
Works Cited
Atkins, Ryan S. “The Way to write good citations.” Los Angeles Times. 12 July 1998:
B2. Print.
Grabe, Mark. "Writing Research Papers is Great." Time 44.2 (2005): 409-421.
EBSCO. Web. 28 May 2006.
Johnson, Ryan S. The Way to Write a Quality Citation. New York: Really Big
Publisher, 1980. Print.
1
Research Paper Handbook 14
Works Cited Information
BOOKS
Last Name, First Name. The Title of the Book Goes Right Here. City of Publishing: Publisher,
Date of Publication. Medium.
Johnson, Ryan S. The Way to Write a Quality Citation. New York: Really Big Publisher, 1980.
Print.
PART OF A BOOK (ESSAY COLLECTION, ETC.)
Lastname, First name. "Title of Essay." Title of Collection. Ed. Editor's Name(s). Place of
Publication: Publisher, Year. Pages. Medium.
Johnson, Ryan S. “This is a Great Essay.” The Collected Essays. Ed. Ron Wilson. New York:
Really Big Publishing, 1987. Print.
ONLINE SUBSCRIPTION DATABASE (EBSCO)
Lastname, Firstname. “Title of Article.” Magazine Name Volume #.Issue # (year): Page #s.
Database Service. Medium. Date Accessed.
Grabe, Mark. "Writing Research Papers is Great." Time 44.2 (2005): 409-421. EBSCO. Web.
28 May 2006.
ONLINE PERIODICAL (NEWSPAPER OR MAGAZINE)
Last Name, First Name. “Name of the Article.” Name of Website. Website Publisher, Date
of Publication. Medium. Date accessed.
Ingle, Ryan S. “How to Cite an Online Source.” Latimes.com. Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan.
2004. Web. 18 Feb. 2006.
INTERVIEW
Name of person interviewed. Personal Interview. Date of interview.
Williams, Robert. Personal interview. 28 August 1999.
PRINT PERIODICAL (NEWSPAPER OR MAGAZINE)
Last Name, First Name. “Name of Article.” Newspaper or Magazine Name. Date: Page(s).
Medium.
Atkins, Ryan S. “The Way to write good citations.” Los Angeles Times. 12 July 1998: B2.
Print.
FOR MORE INFO: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/
Research Paper Handbook 15
Note card/Bibliography Card System
Bibliography Card: contains works cited information; one needed per source;
identified by a new right hand corner letter and the number 1.
Source Letter
Medium
Web
A1
+
Number 1
Works Cited
Info
Grabe, Mark. "Writing Research Papers is Great." Time 44.2
(2005): 409-421. EBSCO. Web. 28 May 2006.
Note card: contains the fact that you could use as a concrete detail in your essay.
Subject
Note
from
the
source
Research Papers
A2
Source letter
+
Note #
“Writing research papers is an indispensible skill.”
Type of note
(either direct
quote,
summary, or
paraphrase).
Direct Quote
14
Page
number
(if
available)
Research Paper Handbook 16
Annotating for a Research Paper
Two Steps to Research Annotating:
1. Highlight any passage that you believe to be important
a. Statistic
b. Sentence
c. Paragraph
d. Anything you think you could use to prove your point.
2. Annotate (make a note in the margin) indicating one or more of the following:
a. How the text supports your thesis
b. Which Depth of Complexity the text relates to (
c. Why the text is important
Example:
Thesis: Even though it is a challenge, the research paper is a vital part of a high school student’s
education because of the many benefits s/he will attain upon dutiful completion.
Being ready
for the future
Country’s
future
Not ready for
college
Economic
Education
Quote
Missed
opportunity
Individual
reason
"This is not just about passing a test," said Matt Gandal, executive vice
president for Achieve Inc., the nonpartisan organization formed by
governors and business leaders that is working with the 22 states
involved in the project. "It's about being ready for whatever comes
next when you graduate."
Too often, Gandal said, students graduate from high school, enter
college and are put into remedial courses because their skills are
deficient. In the workplace, many are shocked to discover that their Not ready for the
high school education wasn't enough to prepare them for their workplace
bosses' expectations.
economic
As part of the American Diploma Project, Achieve conducted a
survey that found that college professors and employers weren't the
only ones concerned about the skills with which students were leaving
high school. About 40 percent of graduates said they felt they weren't
prepared to deal with the demands of college and the workplace.
Students feel they
are not ready.
Most of the students surveyed -- 77 percent of those who were not in Individual reason.
college and 65 percent of those in college -- said that they would have
worked harder in high school if they had been aware of what they
would face after graduating.
Lori Aratani. "For Students, a New Program Offers Possible Leg Up in Life." . TOPICsearch.
30 November 2006. http://search.ebscohost.com.
Research Paper Handbook 17
Photocopy instructions





Books (pages to photocopy)
1. The title page
2. The copyright page
3. Every single page on which you found a quote you want to use.
Magazine (pages to photocopy)
1. The cover
2. The entire article that you are going to use
Newspaper (pages to photocopy)
1. The front page
2. Every single page of the article you are going to use
Website (pages to photocopy)
1. The entire article
2. Be sure to check if the website has a print feature. This will allow you to print out the article
in as efficient a way as possible.
Check OWL for all other resources.
Research Paper Handbook 18
PURPOSE
What does the author want the
audience to know after reading
or hearing this writing?
RHETORICAL
TRIANGLE
CONTEXT/PLAN
What is the situation? What method/tools/arguments will the author use to convince
the audience to accept the writer’s viewpoint? What essay style will best serve the
purpose?
TOOLS
APPEALS
[EMOTION (PATHOS), REASON (LOGOS), CHARACTER (ETHOS)]
Structure of the appeals
Purpose of the structure
TONE
(What is the tone? Does it vary? If so, why? What is the rhetorical purpose for the shift?)
RHETORICAL DEVICES THAT ASSIST APPEALS and/or TONE
*
*
*
*
*
*
Advanced Rhetorical Devices
allusion
* irony
analogy
* juxtaposition
anecdote
* motif
concession
* pronouns
euphemism
* rhetorical
language (concrete or figurative:
question
metaphor, simile, hyperbole,
* satire
personification, symbolism,
* structure
understatement , paradox)
* syllogism
Other Considerations Assisting Appeals and/or Tone
alliteration, assonance, consonance, formality of language
(audience): colloquial, stream of consciousness, intellectual,
jargon specific, dialect; use of italics, punctuation and quotation
marks, etc.
AUTHOR
Who is the writer or the speaker?
What opinion does he/she have?
What background knowledge does the writer have about the topic?
*
*
*
*
*
*
Basic Rhetorical Devices
connotation vs. denotation
diction (specific in purpose)
pronouns
syntax (complex, simplistic, varying)
parallelism
repetition
Note: By no means is this a list of all
rhetorical devices, and by no means do the
devices have to fall into advanced or basic
categories; many will fluctuate given the
writer’s style, audience and purpose.
AUDIENCE
To whom is this piece of writing addressed? What bias
does this person or group have?
Research Paper Handbook 19
Rhetorical Analysis Tips
Usage
(grammatical)
Synonyms
(to use instead of the
Latin words)
Ethos
Is created for
the speaker
 Credibility
 Trust
 Trustworthiness
Explains why the CD
makes the speaker more
credible or trustworthy
and how it enables the
speaker to achieve his or
her purpose.
Pathos
Is created in the
audience
 Emotional appeal
Explains the emotion(s)
evoked by the CD and
how it/they enable(s) the
speaker to achieve his or
her purpose.
Logos
Is created
through logic






Explains the validity and
effectiveness (or lack
thereof due to fallacies)
of the logic of the
argument and how it
enables the speaker to
achieve his or her
purpose.
Additional
Notes
1. Be sure to think of the appeals (ethos, pathos, logos) in regards to
the speech structure. Why were they introduced where they were
introduced? How does that contribute to the effectiveness (or
lack there of) of the speech as a whole.
Logic
Argument
Reasoning
Calculation
Way of thinking
Analysis
Commentary (CM)
2. For all of the above whenever possible, include mention of the
rhetorical devices used by the speaker to attempt to create the
appeals (ethos, pathos, logos).
Research Paper Handbook 20
Rhetorical Terms
Rhetoric Defined: the art of using words to persuade in aerating or speaking; and good writers and
spacers seek to persuade and convince their intended audience through sound
logic and clear reasoning. This process of rhetorical theory is often referred to as
“argumentation” or “persuasion,” and it is a process that requires logical reasoning
in order to sway the thinking of the audience.
From Rhetoric [Aristotle (384 – 322 BC)]
–
–
“Let Rhetoric be defined as an ability, in each particular case, to see the available means
of persuasion.”
“Of the truths provided through speech there are three species: for some are in the
character (ethos) of the speaker, and some in disposing (pathos) the listener in some way,
and some in the argument itself (logos), by showing or seeming to show something.”
1. Ethos: the persona of the speaker.
2. Pathos: the emotions of the listener.
3. Logos: the logic of the argument.
Common Rhetorical Devices: devices that enhance the logic of the argument.
1. Emotional appeal: appeal the emotions of the audience such as love, fear, etc.
2. Ethical appeal: appeal to the sense of moral values (right and wrong) of the audience.
3. Concession: to concede (give in) to a point of the other side or to allow the reader to make
up his or her own mind. You will typically follow this by explaining why the concession is
not as important as the other side would have the reader believe, which is called the
counterargument
4. Counterargument: defensive tactic in which the writer addresses and neutralizes points they
think the other side will make. You will “turn against” your side for a moment only to “turn
back” to explain why the other side is wrong (“Counter-Argument”).
5. Loaded words: words with strong positive or negative connotations.
6. Analogy: Reasoning or arguing from parallel cases [using similar situations as examples to
prove your point; teachers use them all the time]. A simile is an expressed analogy; a
metaphor is an implied one.
7. Anecdote: telling a story that helps bring the argument to life.
8. Deduction: method of reasoning wherein a conclusion is derived from comparison of
general to particular premises.
-"Sherlock Holmes and John Watson were on a camping and hiking trip. They had gone to bed and were
lying there looking up at the sky. Holmes said, 'Watson, look up. What do you see?'
'Well, I see thousands of stars.'
'And what does that mean to you?'
'Well, I guess it means we will have another nice day tomorrow. What does it mean to you, Holmes?'
'To me, it means someone has stolen our tent.'" (“Glossary of…”)
9. Hyperbole: exaggeration to prove a point.
10. Understatement: to deliberately make a situation seem less important or serious than it is.
11. Parallelism: repetition of structure to emphasize key points, statements, or words.
12. Rhetorical Questions: the answer is obvious, and therefore, the question itself is inherently
persuasive, yet the writer or speaker may answer the rhetorical question for emphasis.
Research Paper Handbook 21
Logical Fallacies: errors in reasoning that the writer should avoid because they make his/her
argument invalid. Writers can generally avoid fallacies by:
1. Not claiming too much – keep arguments focused on specific topics.
2. Not oversimplifying complex issues – most often easy solutions don’t work.
3. Supporting arguments with concrete evidence and details.
Common Rhetorical Fallacies:
1. Ad hominem: attacking the individual instead of the argument
2. Ad populum (bandwagon): the misconception that widespread occurrence of something
makes an idea true or right.
3. Begging the question: taking for granted something that really needs proving, which leads
to circular arguments.
4. Either/Or reasoning: the tendency to see an issue as only having two sides.
5. Hasty generalizations: drawing a conclusion based on only one or two cases.
6. Appeal to authority or prestige: the misconception that because someone is famous or in a
position of authority, their ideas are automatically true or right.
7. Non sequitur: an inference or conclusion that does not follow established premises or
evidence
8. Post hoc, ergo propter hoc: assuming that an incident that precedes another is the cause of
the second.
9. Red herring: the introduction of a secondary subject to divert attention away from the main
subject.
10. Poisoning the well: using loaded language to taint the topic before it is even mentioned.
11. Straw man: caricaturing, or misrepresenting an opposing view in an exaggerated way, so it is
easy to refute.
“Counter-Argument.” The Writing Center at Harvard University. Harvard University, 31 Oct. 2007. Web. 5 Oct. 2009.
“Glossary of Rhetorical Terms.” Armstrong Atlantic State University Website. Armstrong Atlantic State University, 15 May
2007. Web. 5 Oct. 2009.
Weston, Anthony. A Rulebook for Arguments. Indianapolis: Hacket Publishing Company Inc., 2000.
Research Paper Handbook 22
Counter-Argument
When you write an academic essay, you make an argument: you propose a thesis and offer some
reasoning, using evidence, that suggests why the thesis is true. When you counter-argue, you
consider a possible argument against your thesis or some aspect of your reasoning. This is a good
way to test your ideas when drafting, while you still have time to revise them. And in the finished
essay, it can be a persuasive and (in both senses of the word) disarming tactic. It allows you to
anticipate doubts and pre-empt objections that a skeptical reader might have; it presents you as the
kind of person who weighs alternatives before arguing for one, who confronts difficulties instead of
sweeping them under the rug, who is more interested in discovering the truth than winning a point.
Not every objection is worth entertaining, of course, and you shouldn't include one just to include
one. But some imagining of other views, or of resistance to one's own, occurs in most good essays.
And instructors are glad to encounter counter-argument in student papers, even if they haven't
specifically asked for it.
The Turn Against
Counter-argument in an essay has two stages: you turn against your argument to challenge it and
then you turn back to re-affirm it. You first imagine a skeptical reader, or cite an actual source, who
might resist your argument by pointing out
o
o
o
a problem with your demonstration, e.g. that a different conclusion could be drawn from
the same facts, a key assumption is unwarranted, a key term is used unfairly, certain
evidence is ignored or played down;
one or more disadvantages or practical drawbacks to what you propose;
an alternative explanation or proposal that makes more sense.
You introduce this turn against with a phrase like One might object here that... or It might seem that... or It's
true that... or Admittedly,... or Of course,... or with an anticipated challenging question: But how...? or But
why...? or But isn't this just...? or But if this is so, what about...? Then you state the case against yourself as
briefly but as clearly and forcefully as you can, pointing to evidence where possible. (An obviously
feeble or perfunctory counter-argument does more harm than good.)
The Turn Back
Your return to your own argument—which you announce with a but, yet, however, nevertheless or still—
must likewise involve careful reasoning, not a flippant (or nervous) dismissal. In reasoning about the
proposed counter-argument, you may
o
o
o
refute it, showing why it is mistaken—an apparent but not real problem;
acknowledge its validity or plausibility, but suggest why on balance it's relatively less
important or less likely than what you propose, and thus doesn't overturn it;
concede its force and complicate your idea accordingly—restate your thesis in a more
exact, qualified, or nuanced way that takes account of the objection, or start a new
section in which you consider your topic in light of it. This will work if the counterargument concerns only an aspect of your argument; if it undermines your whole case,
you need a new thesis.
Research Paper Handbook 23
Where to Put a Counter-Argument
Counter-argument can appear anywhere in the essay, but it most commonly appears
o
o
o
o
as part of your introduction—before you propose your thesis—where the existence of a
different view is the motive for your essay, the reason it needs writing;
as a section or paragraph just after your introduction, in which you lay out the expected
reaction or standard position before turning away to develop your own;
as a quick move within a paragraph, where you imagine a counter-argument not to your
main idea but to the sub-idea that the paragraph is arguing or is about to argue;
as a section or paragraph just before the conclusion of your essay, in which you imagine
what someone might object to what you have argued.
But watch that you don't overdo it. A turn into counter-argument here and there will sharpen and
energize your essay, but too many such turns will have the reverse effect by obscuring your main
idea or suggesting that you're ambivalent.
Counter-Argument in Pre-Writing and Revising
Good thinking constantly questions itself, as Socrates observed long ago. But at some point in the
process of composing an essay, you need to switch off the questioning in your head and make a
case. Having such an inner conversation during the drafting stage, however, can help you settle on a
case worth making. As you consider possible theses and begin to work on your draft, ask yourself
how an intelligent person might plausibly disagree with you or see matters differently. When you can
imagine an intelligent disagreement, you have an arguable idea.
And, of course, the disagreeing reader doesn't need to be in your head: if, as you're starting work on
an essay, you ask a few people around you what they think of topic X (or of your idea about X) and
keep alert for uncongenial remarks in class discussion and in assigned readings, you'll encounter a
useful disagreement somewhere. Awareness of this disagreement, however you use it in your essay,
will force you to sharpen your own thinking as you compose. If you come to find the counterargument truer than your thesis, consider making it your thesis and turning your original thesis into a
counter-argument. If you manage to draft an essay without imagining a counter-argument, make
yourself imagine one before you revise and see if you can integrate it.
Copyright 1999, Gordon Harvey (adapted from The Academic Essay: A Brief Anatomy), for
the Writing Center at Harvard University
“Counter-Argument.” The Writing Center at Harvard University. Harvard University, 31 Oct. 2007. Web. 5 Oct. 2009.
Research Paper Handbook 24
Developing a Counterargument Paragraph
State your claim (what is your opinion about the topic?)
Define your terms.
Anticipate your opposition (why do some people disagree with you about the topic?)
Concede to or rebut your opposition (explain why they are partly right, or explain why they are
wrong).
Support your claim building ethos (explain why you are someone who might know about this topic)
Support your claim using logos (give some evidence or examples to support your opinion).
Support your claim using pathos (give your reader a reason to agree with you that touches their heart
or appeals to their values).
Research Paper Handbook 25
Thesis Information
What to include in your thesis statement
1. The topic
2. Your Point of View concerning your topic
What does a strong thesis do that a weak one does not do?
1. A strong thesis takes some sort of a stand
2. A strong thesis justifies discussion
3. A strong thesis expresses one main idea
4. A strong thesis statement is specific
How to Tell a Strong Thesis Sentence from a Weak One.
1. A strong thesis takes some sort of stand.
Remember that your thesis needs to show your conclusions about a subject. For example, if
you are writing a paper for a class on fitness, you might be asked to choose a popular
weight-loss product to evaluate. Here are two thesis statements:
There are some negative and positive aspects to the Banana Herb Tea
Supplement.
This is a weak thesis. First, it fails to take a stand. Second, the phrase “negative and positive
aspects” is vague.
Because Banana Herb Tea Supplement promotes rapid weight loss
that results in the loss of muscle and lean body mass, it poses a
potential danger to customers.
This is a strong thesis because it takes a stand.
2. A strong thesis justifies discussion.
Your thesis should indicate the point of the discussion. If your assignment is to write a paper
on kinship systems, using your own family as an example, you might come up with either of
these two thesis statements:
My family is an extended family.
This is a weak thesis because it states an observation. Your reader won’t be able to tell the
point of the statement, and will probably stop reading.
While most American families would view consanguineal marriage as
a threat to the nuclear family structure, many Iranian families, like my
own, believe that these marriages help reinforce kinship ties in an
extended family.
Research Paper Handbook 26
This is a strong thesis because it shows how your experience contradicts a widely-accepted
view. A good strategy for creating a strong thesis is to show that the topic is controversial.
Readers will be interested in reading the rest of the essay to see how you support your point.
3. A strong thesis expresses one main idea.
Readers need to be able to see that your paper has one main point. If your thesis expresses
more than one idea, then you might confuse your readers about the subject of your paper.
For example:
Companies need to exploit the marketing potential of the Internet, and
web pages can provide both advertising and customer support.
This is a weak thesis statement because the reader can’t decide whether the paper is about
marketing on the Internet or web pages. To revise the thesis, the relationship between the
two ideas needs to become more clear. One way to revise the thesis would be to write:
Because the Internet is filled with tremendous marketing potential,
companies should exploit this potential by using web pages that offer
both advertising and customer support.
This is a strong thesis because it shows that the two ideas are related. Hint: a great many
clear and engaging thesis statements contain words like “because,” “since,” “so,” “although,”
“unless,” and “however.”
4. A strong thesis statement is specific.
A thesis statement should show exactly what your paper will be about, and will help you
keep your paper to a manageable topic. For example, if you write a paper on hunger, you
might say:
World hunger has many causes and effects.
This is a weak thesis statement for two major reasons. First, “world hunger” can’t be
discussed thoroughly in five or ten pages. Second, "many causes and effects" is vague. You
should be able to identify specific causes and effects. A revised thesis might look like this:
Hunger persists in Appalachia because jobs are scarce and farming in
the infertile soil is rarely profitable.
This is a strong thesis because it narrows the subject to a more specific and manageable topic
and it also identifies the specific causes for the existence of hunger.
“How to Write a Thesis Statement.” Writing Tutorial Services. Indiana University, n.d. web. 1 Oct. 2009.
Research Paper Handbook 27
Introductions
Introduction: catches the reader’s attention and tells the reader what the paper is
going to be about.
Intro Parts
1. Hook
2. Connecting Info
3. Thesis
Practical Advice
 Catches the readers
attention
 Don’t mention the topic
 Connects the Hook to the
Thesis
 Mention the topic, but not
the point of view
 Tells the reader what
the paper is about
 Mention the topic and
the point of view
Movie Example
The Establishing Shot
Zooming in
Focusing in on the first
scene. The story starts.
Possible Hooks:
1. Imagine…: set the scene and illustrate the importance of the topic. Follow it with
sentences of elaboration connecting it to the thesis.
2. Startling information: the information must be true and verifiable, and it doesn’t need to
be completely new to your readers. It must, however, illustrate clearly the point you want to
make. Follow it with sentences of elaboration.
3. Summary information: give some background or general information that will gently guide
your reader to the thesis.
4. Statistic: a shocking or important statistic that leads into your topic. Follow it with
sentences of elaboration.
5. Quote: a shocking or important quote that leads into your topic. Follow it with sentences
of elaboration.
6. Counter-argument: proving the other POV wrong is the purpose for writing your paper.
Make sure you are clear, however, that you believe the other POV to be incorrect.
7. Anecdote: a story that illustrates a point. Make sure you are clear about what that point is
and connect the story to the thesis.
8. Dialogue: short exchange between speakers used to illustrate a point. Follow it with
sentences of elaboration.
Example Introduction:
Imagine arriving at college, the next big life step. You enter your first class, listen to your
first lecture, and receive your first college assignment. You can’t believe it as you realize in horror
that you don’t know how to complete the assignment. This is what could happen to you if you
don’t complete a research paper in high school. Even though it is a challenge, the research
paper is a vital part of high school student’s education because of the many benefits
s/he will attain upon dutiful completion.
Research Paper Handbook 28
Schaffer Method Body Paragraphs
\
Argument Paragraph
I. Topic Sentence
A. Concrete Detail
i) Commentary
ii) Commentary
B. Concrete Detail
i) Commentary
ii) Commentary
C. Etc.
D. Closing Sentence
Counter-Argument Paragraph
I. The turn against
A. Concrete detail
i) Commentary
ii) Commentary
B. The Turn back
C. Concrete detail
i) Commentary
ii) Commentary
D. Concrete detail
i) Commentary
ii) Commentary
E. Etc.
F. Closing Sentence
Terms Defined:
TS: topic sentence; tells the reader what the paragraph is going to prove; includes a transition
(except for the first body paragraph of the essay)
CD: concrete details; proves the TS; integrated quotation, summary, or paraphrase; a fact from a
source
CM: commentary; explanation of why the CD proves the TS; your words.
CS: closing sentence; wraps up the paragraph, usually including the seed for the transition in the
TS of the next body paragraph
Regular Body Paragraph
Being knowledgeable about the research process is invaluable experience and will help you
get a better job in the future. Ron Ronalds, a prominent education professor, stated that “students
are better able to collect and organize data after having completed the research process” (15). Many
jobs require that information be gathered, analyzed, and acted upon. Your skills with research
methods will enable you to perform this function effectively and quickly. Mr. John Johnston, a
business executive, indicated in an interview that management notices when people can competently
manage information (27). Getting noticed by management for a job well done is a good thing. It
could mean a promotion, more prestige, and a bigger paycheck. Later on in life students will be
thankful they have taken this process seriously.
Counter-argument Paragraph
Some people believe that research skills are not needed after high school. Jessica Jess made
a point when she wrote that “[the research paper] will enable you to graduate, but then you will
never use the skill again” (45). How many research papers do you write after high school after all?
It is certainly not a common endeavor in the work place. What she doesn’t seem to realize is how
often one uses the skills one learns in the research process, even if the task isn’t specifically called a
research paper. One must remember that students learn more in a research paper than just how to
write a paper (Reynolds 8). They learn how to gather and organize information. They also learn
how to formulate and support a great argument. In addition the College Board reminds one that
research papers themselves are very common after high school and that many classes require lengthy
research projects (“Preparing for College is…” 7). Having a solid background in research then can
make one’s college experience a great deal easier, knowing already know how the process works.
One will most likely do better on projects and hopefully will get a better grade in the class. Research
skills give one an advantage later in life and should be taken seriously.
Research Paper Handbook 29
Beyond Schaffer Method: the Quotation Sandwich
Here is the statement (one or more sentences) that explains my background/situation
(CONTEXT).
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Here is my integrated quotation.
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Here is commentary, explaining why/how my quote proves the topic sentence
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Research Paper Handbook 30
Quotation Sandwich Example
Many people are lamenting the fact that American public schools in general
seem to be experiencing a drop in rigorous educational achievement, and
there are many programs popping up that are hoping to address and solve
the issue. Lori Aratani of the Washington Post helps clarify one such project:
The American Diploma Project could mesh with another experimental program in
Maryland designed to raise graduation standards for public school students. The
Maryland Scholars program is a voluntary initiative launched in 2003 that encourages
students to take more difficult classes. It is showing promising results in two school
systems, those of Frederick and Harford counties, which are trying out the new
approach.
Projects like that explained above by Lori Aratani give one reason to hope that
some sort of solution is possible. One need now only wonder about the feasibility
of adapting like programs for many distinct school districts across the country.
One also must take into account the fact that what works for one school district
might not work for another.
This is only one chunk, including one concrete detail and its
commentary
Research Paper Handbook 31
Subject: what are you
writing about in this
paragraph
Topic Sentence:
(what are you
saying about the
subject
Supporting
Evidence:
Quotes that
support your
topic sentence
(2 of 3 must be
from different
sources
Developing Commentary: how the quote relates to main idea
(
Concluding
Sentence:
(
)
(
)
Research Paper Handbook 32
Using Your Sources
SUMMARIZING AND PARAPHRASING
Summary



When you put someone else’s idea into your own
words.
Usually focused on one specific idea and a
shortened version
Includes an in text citation at the end of the
summary and the author’s name at the beginning
of the passage
Type
Paraphrase


Mainly used to simply complex language


About the same length as the original passage

Putting someone else’s ideas into your own
words
DOES NOT follow the same sentence structure
or wording
Includes an in text citation at the end of the
paraphrase and the author’s name at the
beginning of the citation
Examples
Original Lori Aratani of the Washington Post stated that “The American Diploma
Project could mesh with another experimental program in Maryland designed
to raise graduation standards for public school students. The Maryland
Scholars program is a voluntary initiative launched in 2003 that encourages
students to take more difficult classes. It is showing promising results in two
school systems, those of Frederick and Harford counties, which are trying
out the new approach.”
Aratani, Lori. "For Students, a New Program Offers Possible Leg Up in Life." The Washington Post (2006). EBSCO.
Web. 6 November 2007.
Summary Lori Aratani of the Washington Post reports that the Maryland Scholars
program has showed promising results could possibly merge with the
American Diploma Project with the hopes of increasing student graduation
standards.
Paraphrase Lori Aratani of the Washington Post reports that a merging of the American
diploma project and the Maryland Scholars programs could possibly raise
graduation standards. The Maryland Scholars program has already had
success by encouraging students to take more difficult classes. Schools in
Frederick and Harford counties have begun using the new approach.
Summary / Lori Aratani of the Washington Post reports that a merging of the American
Direct Quote diploma project and the Maryland Scholars are “showing promising results”
Hybrid by “[encouraging] students to take more difficult classes.”
Research Paper Handbook 33
INTEGRATED Sources (direct quotes, summaries, and paraphrases):
Four parts of an integrated quotation
1. “Your Intro,” including credibility 1st
time source is used
2. Quote
3. Citation (parenthesis)
4. Punctuation
Always use first
time source is cited
Two types of integrated quotations
1. Author’s name in “your intro”
2. Author’s name in the parenthesis
EXAMPLES
Author in “your intro”
Appositive phrase


The first time the author is
states that “writing research quoted (credibility included).
o John Anderson, a writing professor at Harvard University, papers in high school is
vital for success at the university level” (15).
o
John Anderson, a writing professor at Harvard University, did research in which he
Summary/
studied a group of high school students over five years and came to the conclusion
Paraphrase
that research papers in high school raise overall test scores (15).
Direct
Quote

The only difference is no “ “
After the first time the author is quoted (credibility not needed).
Direct
o Anderson reminds one that “writing research papers in high school is vital for
Quote
success at the university level” (15).
o
Anderson in an additional study, which followed a group of high school students
Summary/
over five years, came to the conclusion that research papers in high school raise
Paraphrase
overall test scores (15).
Do not use for summary or paraphrase
Direct
Quote









Author in parenthesis
Always after the first time the author is quoted (credibility not needed).
o It is stated that “the senior project is successful in helping students succeed in
college” (Wuchner 27).
“Your Intro” Starter Phrases
Author in the Intro
Author in Citation (parenthesis)
Author’s name reminds one that “quote”
 It is important to remember that “quote”
(#).
(Lastname #).
Author’s name makes a good point when
 One must not forget that “quote” (Lastname
s/he states that “quote” (#).
#).
Author’s name remarks that it is important
 Of vital importance is the fact that “quote”
to remember “quote” (#).
(Lastname #).
Author’s name states that “quote” (#).
 Interesting is the fact that “quote” (Lastname
#).
Author’s name says that “quote” (#).
 It was stated that “quote” (Lastname #).
Author’s name indicates that “quote” (#).
 It has been argued that “quote” (Lastname
Author’s name believes that “quote” (#).
#).
Author’s name wrote that “quote” (#).
 One might be interested to know that
“quote” (Lastname #).
Research Paper Handbook 34
INDIRECT QUOTATION (A QUOTE WITHIN YOUR SOURCE, 2ND HAND QUOTE)
 The first time the author is quoted (credibility included).
Indirect
o John Anderson, a writing professor at Harvard University, states that “writing
Quote
research papers in high school is vital for success at the university level” (qtd. in
Smith 15).
Person who said quote
Indirect
o John Anderson, a writing professor at Harvard University, did research in which he
Summary/
studied a group of high school students over five years and came to the conclusion
Paraphrase
that research papers in high school raise overall test scores (qtd. in Smith 15).
LONG QUOTES (4 LINES OR MORE):
Four parts of an integrated quotation
1. “Your Intro,” including credibility 1st
time source is used
2. Quote
3. Citation
4. Punctuation
Two types of integrated quotations
1. Author’s name in “your intro”
2. Author’s name in the parenthesis
EXAMPLES
John Anderson, a Harvard University professor, stated with great eloquence why refusing to
complete the research paper would be devastating:
Intro =
Research papers are more than necessary for students to complete in each year of
complete
thought
high school. It is a skill that will be required repeatedly in nearly every college class
they will take. Students cannot survive in a college environment without a firm grasp
of the research paper. One needs the skill to succeed. (41)
The following illustrates very clearly why refusing to complete the research paper would be
devastating:
Research papers are more than necessary for students to complete in each year of
No quotation
high school. It is a skill that will be required repeatedly in nearly every college class
marks and
they will take. Students cannot survive in a college environment without a firm grasp
indent whole
of the research paper. One needs the skill to succeed. (Wuchner 41)
quote 1”
CHANGING DIRECT QUOTATIONS
1. Use an ellipses […] (brackets included) to indicate you left out part of the quote
a. It is interesting that “[…] the research paper is so important” (Wuchner 41).
2. Use brackets [ ] to change a word
a. “Before graduating high school, I had to complete a research paper.”
b. Wuchner stated that “before graduating high school, [he] had to complete a research
paper” (12).
CITATION HELP
Example:
 (Last Name Pg. #) - (Wuchner 27)
If no author:
 (“First Few Words of Title…” Pg #) - (“The Senior Project…” 27)
If no page number: leave that part blank
 (Wuchner) - (“The Senior Project is Fun…”)
Author
of the
source
Research Paper Handbook 35
Transitional Words
To improve your writing you need to make sure that your ideas, both in sentences and paragraphs,
stick together or have coherence and that the gap between ideas is bridged smoothly. One way to do
this is by using transitions - words or phrases or techniques that help bring two ideas together.
Transitional words and phrases represent one way of gaining coherence. Certain words help
continue an idea, indicate a shift of though or contrast, or sum up a conclusion. Check the following
list of words to find those that will pull your sentences and paragraphs together.
For continuing a common line of reasoning:
consequently
clearly, then
furthermore
additionally
and
in addition
moreover
because
besides that
in the same way
following this further
also
pursuing this further
in the light of the... it is easy to see that
For opening a paragraph initially or for general
use:
admittedly
assuredly
certainly
granted
no doubt
nobody denies
obviously
of course
to be sure
true
undoubtedly
unquestionably
generally speaking
in general
at this level
in this situation
Transitional chains, to use in separating
sections of a paragraph which is arranged
chronologically:
first... second... third...
generally... furthermore... finally
in the first place... also... lastly
in the first place... pursuing this
further... finally
to be sure... additionally... lastly
in the first place... just in the
same way... finally
basically... similarly... as well
Sequence or time
To change the line of reasoning (contrast):
however
on the other hand
but
yet
nevertheless
on the contrary
For the final points of a paragraph or essay:
finally
lastly
To signal a conclusion:
therefore
this
hence
in final analysis
in conclusion
in final consideration
indeed
To restate a point within a paragraph in
another way or in a more exacting way:
in other words
point in fact
specifically
after
afterwards
as soon as
at first
at last
before
before long
finally
first... second... third
in the first place
in the meantime
later
meanwhile
next
soon
then
Research Paper Handbook 36
Research Paper: Peer Editing Checklist
Use this checklist to help you determine if you are lacking any important parts or format
requirements in your research paper. If you check “no” for ANY of the topics, you MUST provide
a suggestion for improvement.
General Format: should be consistent throughout the paper
1. Font is Times New Roman
2. Double Spaced
3. Heading is correct
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
4. Header is correct
5. Margins are 1”
Suggestions for improvements:
Introduction
1. Engaging, interesting hook
2. Provides background information to prepare the reader
3. Has a thesis statement
4. Thesis statement contains an opinion
5. Thesis statement is clearly stated
Suggestions for improvements:
Body Paragraphs
1. Has a topic sentence
2. Topic sentence contains a transition (except for body ¶ 1)
3. Concrete details (at least two per ¶) in MLA format
4. Has commentary that effectively explains the concrete detail
5. Has a concluding sentence
6. Argument well thought out and effective
Suggestions for improvements:
Research Paper Handbook 37
Conclusion
1. Restates the thesis and important points from the essay
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
2. Provides the “so what,” or why this preceding information is
important
Suggestions for improvement:
Works Cited page
1. Header
2. Title with no embellishment
3. Double spaced
4. Indented correctly (indent every line except for the first of each
entry).
5. Entries alphabetized
6. Each entry formatted according to MLA format
Suggestions for improvements:
General
1. Does the paper have any sentences or parts that seem out of
place? Underline them and note them as such.
2. Does the order of the paper make sense? Change parts where the
sequence doesn’t seem to work.
3. Do the body paragraphs help prove the thesis statement?
Suggestions for improvement:
What was done well in the essay?
Research Paper Handbook 38
Standards Addressed
Writing 1.0 Research and Technology
1.3: use clear research questions and suitable research methods (e.g. library, electronic media,
personal interview) to elicit and present evidence from primary and secondary sources.
1.5: synthesize information from multiple sources and identify complexities and discrepancies in the
information and the different perspective found in each medium (e.g. almanacs, microfiche, news
sources, in-depth field studies, speeches, journals, technical documents).
1.6: integrate quotations and citations into a written text while maintaining the flow of ideas.
1.7: use appropriate conventions for documentation in the text, nbotes, and bibliographies by
adhering to those in style manuals (e.g. Modern Language Association Handbook, The Chicago Manual of
Style).