Assignment 7.1: Research Paper

This assignment supports the following lesson objective:

• Identify the steps for writing a research paper.

Assignment Overview

• This writing assignment examines the steps to writing a research paper. 

Deliverables

• Summary explanations (12 point font) of the steps to writing a research paper. 

Activity Details

For each lesson you should open up a new Word Document and create an MLA title block with your name, class info, and the lesson title. Next, cut-and-paste the writing prompts from Angel into your document. Answer each question completely and after editing your writing for spelling, grammatical, and formatting errors you can then upload your work into the Module Seven Dropbox, located under Module Seven Assignments. Please be sure to save your work in the event you might need to resubmit the assignment.

Perform the following tasks: 

• Step 1: Explain the steps used in writing a research paper.
  Included here are the steps for writing a research paper.  Acting in the role of a secondary-school English teacher, use a word processor (such as MS Word) to write a brief explanation for each step listed.  Imagine that your students need your explanations to complete their research assignment.
  1. Finding a researchable subject and question.
  2. Setting goals for sources.
  3. Finding print and electronic sources, and making a working, annotated bibliography.
  4. Evaluating and synthesizing sources.
  5. Gathering information from sources, often using summary, paraphrase, and direct quotation.
  6. Taking steps to avoid plagiarism.
  7. Developing a thesis statement and creating a structure.
  8. Drafting the paper, integrating summaries, paraphrases, and direct quotations into your ideas.
  9. Revising and editing the paper.
  10. Citing sources in your text.
  11. Preparing the list of works cited or references.
  12. Preparing the final manuscript.
• Step 2: Save and submit your assignment.
  When you have completed the assignment, save a copy for yourself in an easily accessible place and submit a copy to your instructor using the Module Seven Dropbox, located under Module Seven Assignments.