Research Paper Assignment
OBJECTIVE
• To gain an understanding of American government through study and research of an individually given topic
• To further perfect proper term paper format through the use of citations and bibliography
REQUIREMENTS
• Students will be assigned specific topics relating to American Government.
• The paper will be in APA style writing, Times New Roman, font 12
• The paper must be TYPED with no typos or grammatical errors
• The paper must contain intext citations
• The paper must be double-spaced, no less than five pages, and no more than ten pages
• The paper must include a title page with the title of the paper, course name, student’s name, and due date.
• The title page and Reference page are NOT part of the 5-10-page count.
SOURCES
• Wikipedia is NOT an acceptable source
• Newspaper and periodical sources are fine. Published books are the best!
• Use only reputable sources
• The paper must contain a minimum of 5 sources/references
• – a maximum of three of these sources may be computer-generated
• – computer-generated sources MUST have a publisher and date published
• – be prepared to cite your sources and references
• – information verifiably published elsewhere that is retrieved from the Internet is NOT considered a computer-generated source. Examples: text of” I Have a Dream” speech, magazine archives, and newspaper archives.
• Use APA format for references and citations.
TOPICS
Most topics will reflect the FEDERAL government, local or state, and be about something current or within the last 40 years or so. Incorporate both your knowledge of history and government- where you should focus on the effects of government action on people’s lives today and in the recent past and how the various branches of government deal with the topic.
GRADINGS
• Presentation 30 POINTS.
➢ The presentation will reflect the paper; the overall information and research conducted will be conveyed to the audience.
➢ A Power-Point is permitted, but not required.
➢ You should be able to articulate the information without focusing on your paper. Avoid reading the paper.
➢ May use an index card for references on specific dates, names, or specific information that will help facilitate the presentation.
➢ The presentation will be a minimum of 5 to 10 mins.
➢ Be professional.
• CORE PAPER 70 POINTS
➢ Use APA format that is provided to you.
➢ The content of the paper needs to reflect the topic given
➢ Make sure to use appropriate language reflecting the course
➢ Be sure to use intext citations, giving credit to the sources obtained
➢ Be sure your reference page is cited in alphabetical order
➢ Be sure to revise the final draft before submitting it.
➢ Any submissions that are not in the proper style of writing will receive a failing grade
➢ Be sure your submission has a maximum of 15% on safe-assign, any submission of more than 25% will receive a failing grade.
❖ 25%-30% minus 10 points
❖ 30%-40% minus 25 points
❖ 50% and above will receive a zero for the assignment
PAPER IS DUE ON THE WEEK DESIGNATED ON THE COURSE GUIDE, BE PREPARED TO PRESENT ON DAY ONE OF SUBMISSION FOR EXTRA CREDIT. BE SURE TO SUBMIT THE TERM PAPER ON SAFE ASSIGN ON THAT DAY.
Criteria
Exemplary
Good
Acceptable
Unacceptable
Purpose
The writer’s central purpose or argument is readily apparent to the reader.
The writing has a clear purpose or argument, but may sometimes digress from it.
The central purpose or argument is not consistently clear throughout the paper.
The purpose or argument is generally unclear.
Content
Balanced presentation of relevant and legitimate information that clearly supports a central purpose or argument and shows a thoughtful, in-depth analysis of a significant topic. Reader gains important insights.
Information provides reasonable support for a central purpose or argument and displays evidence of a basic analysis of a significant topic. Reader gains some insights.
Information supports a central purpose or argument at times. Analysis is basic or general. Reader gains few insights.
Central purpose or argument is not clearly identified. Analysis is vague or not evident. Reader is confused or may be misinformed.
Organization
The ideas are arranged logically to support the purpose or argument. They flow smoothly from one to another and are clearly linked to each other. The reader can follow the line of reasoning
The ideas are arranged logically to support the central purpose or argument. They are usually clearly linked to each other. For the most part, the reader can follow the line of reasoning
In general, the writing is arranged logically, although occasionally ideas fail to make sense together. The reader is fairly clear about what writer intends.
The writing is not logically organized. Frequently, ideas fail to make sense together. The reader cannot identify a line of reasoning and loses interest.
Fell
The writing is compelling. It hooks the reader and sustains interest throughout.
The writing is generally engaging, but has some dry spots. In general, it is focused and keeps the reader’s attention
The writing is dull and unengaging. Though the paper has some interesting parts, the reader finds it difficult to maintain interest.
The writing has little personality. The reader quickly loses interest and stops reading.
Essay has to be informative. Thank you so much