Loeppert & Stanek -- Biography Research Paper 2023: Home

Databases shown in class:

Use these links if you are in the school:

1. Oxford Art Online

2. Oxford Music Online

3. Biography in Context

Extra -- 4. Science in Context

5. World / U.S. History in Context

Use these links if you are at home:

1.Oxford Art Online

2. Oxford Music Online

3. Biography in Context

Extra -- 4. Science in Context

5. World/U.S. History in Context

1 Humanities
Ms. Loeppert and Mr. Stanek

1st Quarter Project: Biography Research Paper
(200 Summative Points Possible in English and History)

This year will focus on the role that the individual plays in the community. As you will see in the literary texts we will discuss, a single person can sometimes change the world through her or his actions. In history class you will see how an individual who identifies an injustice in the world can sometimes put an end to that injustice.  The topic of your research paper must focus on a specific cause that you find interesting and an individual who defended that cause. Since our first semester survey of history in 1 Humanities History ends in the year 1800, your paper’s topic must come from any point in history before the year 1800. Attached is a list of possible causes and the individuals who championed them. Your job is to research the social or political situation that the individual encountered in her or his society and then to explain how the individual changed or attempted to change society.

GENERAL DUE DATES:

9/18 Freshman Research Paper introduced and assigned.

9/19-9/22 Class meets in the Central Library for double blocks. 

Source Evaluation/Annotation/Works Cited Page Rough Draft
The Library Planning packet asks you to assess your sources as you locate them, formulate a claim/thesis statement, a sub claim, and then produce the works cited page. This will count as a part of the grade for Works Cited/Annotation of Sources. This will be due at the end of class on the third day we are in the library.

10/9 Final Essay and Works Cited Page Due (200 Points)

RESEARCH PAPER ASSIGNMENT SPECIFICS

Works Cited Page and Evaluation of Sources
VALUE: 100 Points

RUBRIC: We will use the rubric entitled Freshman Research Rubric A/AEHC 1 to grade your works cited page, and your choice/evaluation of sources. Your Library Planning Packet will also count as annotation of your sources.
SOURCES: You must find at least 3 sources to include in your works cited page:
 Your sources should be books, scholarly articles or periodicals, most of which you will access through the online databases.
 You must use all of your sources in your parenthetical citations.
 You may not use any general encyclopedia articles.
 Internet sources with no date or author are not valid research sources.
 All sources must be approved by Mr. Stanek.

WORKS CITED PAGE: You must have a works cited page that includes all 3 of your sources:
 The sources should be formatted in MLA format (wording, spacing, punctuation, indentation). Most of the sources that come from the databases will have a citation in MLA format that you can just copy and paste into your works cited page.
 The page must also be typed and formatted in manuscript form (1” margins, 12 point Times New Roman font, spacing, etc.).
 If you have more than 3 sources, these must be listed as well.
 List the sources in alphabetical order.
 Title the page Works Cited
 Remember to CHOOSE MLA FORMAT in the sources that offer a citation

The Research Paper Essay
VALUE: 100 Points
RUBRIC: We will use the rubric entitled Freshman Research Rubric Claim/Sub-Claim/Evidence/AEHC 2 to grade your research paper.
LENGTH: 3-4 pages typed in 12 point Times New Roman font, double spaced. These 3-4 pages do NOT include the works cited page.
CLAIM/ SUBCLAIM: Your claim/ thesis statement should clearly state that the individual changed their society in a specific way. The sub claim in the second body paragraph should then clearly explain how the individual was able to change their society in a specific way. See the attached writing checklist for specific information regarding the organization and content of the essay.
REASONING/EVIDENCE: Your analysis should support the sub claim through facts, ideas, and direct quotations that come from your 3 sources.
PARENTHETICAL/IN-TEXT CITATIONS: Since there are at least 3 sources in your works cited page, there should be a minimum of 3 parenthetical citations in your paper. You must cite all direct quotations, paraphrased information, statistics, or any other ideas that are not your own.

ESSAY WRITING INSTRUCTIONS

CONTENT/STRUCTURE: (Please note that the sentence counts below serve just as guidelines—you can compose more
or fewer at your discretion)
Introduction: This paragraph should include:
 "Grabber/Lead” Sentence: A sentence that gets our attention and makes us want to read your essay.
 Background Information (2-3 sentences briefly introducing the cause and individual)
 The Thesis Statement (Underlined): 1 sentence that tells the reader what the essay will prove. (Hint: The thesis should state that the individual changed her or his society in a specific way)
 The Organizational Statement: 1-2 sentences that tell the reader how the essay will be organized. (Hint: This is where you provide the layout for your essay, a “roadmap”)
 Transition Sentence--1 sentence that provides a clear transition to the content in the next paragraph (Hint: refer to the next topic to be discussed—the society that the individual lived in)
 Style Reminder: Do not refer directly to your essay and do not use 1 st or 2 nd person point-of-view. i.e. Do not write: “In the next paragraph I will talk about…” or “the thesis of the paper is…”

Body Paragraph One: This paragraph should present the individual’s society and include:
 Topic Sentence: 1 sentence that clearly introduces the focus of the paragraph (Hint: refer to the society that the individual lived in)
 Description of the individual’s society: In order to appreciate how the individual changed her or his society, first establish what the society was like. In 5-6 sentences, describe the society, providing any pertinent details that relate to the thesis. What was wrong with the society? What did the individual want to change? This is where you will establish what the individual would have encountered socially, politically, and/or artistically in society.
 Choice of Quotations: Provide quotations that clearly support the reasoning
 Analysis of Quotations: 1-2 sentences that clearly connect the quotations to the reasoning.
 Parenthetical Citations: Remember that you need to cite any ideas that are not yours. All quotes or paraphrase/ideas should be cited in manuscript form and correctly punctuated.
 Transition Sentence--1 sentence that provides a clear transition to the content in the next paragraph (Hint: refer to the next topic to be discussed—how the individual attempted to change her or his society)
 Style Reminder: Do not refer directly to your essay and do not use 1 st or 2 nd person point-of-view. i.e. Do not write: “This paragraph will be about…” or “in the next paragraph you will learn about…”

Body Paragraph Two: This paragraph should explain ONE of the ways the individual changed society:
 Topic Sentence: State Sub claim here. This sub claim (1 sentence) presents one of the ways the individual changed society.
 Reasoning/Evidence of Research: In 5-6 sentences explain how the individual changed their society, presenting 3 or more facts/ideas that come from your research
 Choice of Quotations: Provide quotations that clearly support the reasoning
 Analysis of Quotations: 1-2 sentences that clearly connect the quotations to the reasoning.
 Parenthetical Citations: All quotes or paraphrase/ideas should be cited in manuscript form and correctly punctuated.
 Transition Sentence--1 sentence that provides a clear transition to the content in the next paragraph
 Style Reminder: Do not refer directly to your essay and do not use 1 st or 2 nd person point-of-view. i.e. Do not write: “The sub claim is…” or “in the next paragraph I will talk about…”
Conclusion:
 Topic Sentence: 1 sentence that states the importance/relevance of your individual to their society and to the modern world.
 Concluding Analysis: 3-4 sentences that explain the results of your individual’s work in their society. How is their society different as a result of their work?
 Concluding Analysis: 3-4 sentences that briefly discuss the overall relevance/importance of your topic to the modern world.
 Parenthetical Citation: Be sure to include a parenthetical citation for any direct quote or paraphrase used.
 Concluding Sentences: 1-2 sentences that present the implications of your cause and figure for the future
 Style Reminder: Do not refer directly to your essay and do not use 1 st or 2 nd person point-of-view. i.e. Do not write “In conclusion” or “I hope you enjoyed reading my essay…”

MECHANICS:

 Minimal Grammatical Errors: (3 rd person point-of-view, correct grammar, spelling)
 Correct Heading: single spaced on page 1 in the upper right hand corner:
 

William Wildkit

1 Humanities, Blocks Two-Three

Ms. Loeppert and Mr. Stanek

October 1, 2023

 Manuscript Form: (12 point Times New Roman font, double spacing, page numbers centered at bottom,
starting on page 2 )
 Parenthetical Citations: At least 3 separate, direct quotations with parenthetical citations—each from a
different source.
 Parenthetical Citations: Each citation is in manuscript form and correctly punctuated/integrated into the
text.

1st Quarter Project Topics: Individuals and their Causes