Description
Writing the Research Paper Course Description
This class is approved by the NCAA.
This one-semester class walks students through the process of writing the MLA (Modern Language Association) research paper with citations and develops their argumentation skills.
Three research papers are composed during the course beginning with a short essay in which the instructor takes students through the writing process slowly and step-by-step, also providing research articles for that essay. The second paper is a longer project, and instructor still walks through the process with students step-by-step but with a little less help and allowing students to choose their own topic and research materials. The third paper is still guided by the instructor through the writing process but at a distance; students will compose the third paper largely on their own.
High School Credits
- 0.5 credit
Grade Levels
- 9th – 12th grades
Prerequisites
- Students should have some experience writing paragraphs and simple essays.
- A firm understanding of grammar and punctuation will benefit the students.
Sarah’s English professor is also the director of the [college]. In his comments on her last research paper, he encouraged her to take his advanced writing class once she is a student on campus that includes an internship position in the Writing Center.
-Martha
I just wanted to let you know that your course has immensely helped me in college. At the time I thought your course was very hard, but in hindsight the things that you taught and assignments that you issued have greatly helped me. I have gotten A’s on all of my papers and my peer students, in comparison to the rules and methods I was taught, have no idea how to write an academic paper. So, thank you very much for your solid teaching.
-Grace
Curriculum
- Writer’s Inc: A Student Handbook for Writing and Learning ISBN: 978-0-669-52995-1
Writing the Research Paper Course Outline
- Week 1 – Pre-Writing & Topics Preview, Position Paper
- Week 2 – Paper #1: Thesis, Bibliography, research (MLA/Works Cited addressed weekly)
- Week 3 – Paper #1: Outline & note-taking
- Week 4 – Paper #1: Rough Draft
- Week 5 – Works Cited page, sources, plagiarism, paraphrasing
- Week 6 – Thesis Check, Outlining, and Notecards; Drafting
- Week 7 – Outline, Thesis, Introduction
- Week 8 – Rough Draft paper #2; Conclusion
- Week 9 – Revising and Editing Workshop
- Week 10 – Research Paper #2 final draft; Topic Selection- Paper #3; Begin Research gathering & thesis; electronic notecards
- Week 11 – Electronic notecards check; outline check
- Week 12 – Introduction – Paper #3; final presentation/publishing instruction
- Week 13 – Rough Draft Paper #3; editing & revising workshop
- Week 14 – Research Paper #3 (final)
- Week 15 – Final technology-based presentations
Estimated Workload
- Varies; 30-60 minutes (5 days/week)
