MCJROTC LE IVIntroduction to Research Papers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YlE_pLwU_0

Class Purpose

Cadets will understand the requirements for writing their

research paper for MCJROTC LE IV.

What is a Research Paper?

A research paper is the culmination and final product of an involved process of research,

critical thinking, source evaluation, organization, and composition.

Purdue University Website

Two Types

1. Argumentative – the goal is persuasion

Example: Cigarette smoking poses health problems

2. Analytical – exploration & evaluation

Example: The Marine Corps is the finest fighting force in the world

Topic

• Topic: Marine Corps engagements• What happened?• What went right/wrong?• How did it affect the outcome?• How could things have been done differently?

• Focus on a limited aspect• Select a subject you can manage

Finding Information

• Google search (be wary of sources)• Books• Periodicals & magazines• Government publications

• Keep track of where information comes from

State Thesis

• Try to put into one sentence

• This is a declaration of your belief

• Essay will consist of arguments supporting & defending your belief

Draft a Tentative Outline

I. IntroductionII. Body of paper

A.1.2.

B.1.2.

III.Conclusion

Organize Notes

• Get your thoughts in order• Organize information according to outline• Critically analyze research data (verify)• Analyze, synthesize, sort, & digest information• Discard not relevant information• Keep track of sources to avoid plagerism

Write a First Draft

• Follow the order of outline

• Get information down on paper

• Give credit where credit is due

Revise Outline & Draft• Read the paper for content errors

• Ensure logical flow of information

• Remove extraneous information

• Arrange & rearrange as necessary

• Check grammar & punctuation

• This will involve multiple drafts!

Checklist:

Is thesis statement clear & concise?Was outline followed?Was anything missed?Are arguments presented in logical sequence?Are sources properly cited? (Avoid plagiarism)Has thesis been proven?

Checklist (continued) Do paragraphs begin with topic sentence? Any run-on or unfinished sentences? Any unnecessary or repetitious words? Do sentences vary in length? Do the paragraphs flow one from another? Any spelling or grammatical errors? Quotes accurate in source, spelling & punctuation? Are citations accurate & in correct format? Are contractions used? Is paper written in third person? Is reader left with sense of completion?

Prepare Final Paper• Length: 5-6 pages (not counting cover & reference pages)• Begin with cover page

• Title of Paper• Your name• Class Period• Date

• MUST be typed on 8.5” x 11” paper• One inch margin all around• Double-spaced• Use footnotes, not endnotes• At least three references/sources must be used• Have someone else proofread• Turn in outline• Ask yourself, “Is this the very best that I can do?”

References

• Wikipedia is not a source!

• Use APA style

• Items are presented in alphabetical order by the first author's last name, or, if no author is listed, by the first element of the citation (generally the title)

References

Book:•Dennis, E. E., & Vanden Heuvel, J. (1991). Emerging voices: East European media in transition: A report of the Gannett Foundation Task Force on Press Freedom in Eastern Europe (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Gannett Foundation Media Center.

Magazine article:•Paretsky, S. (2003, June 2). The new censorship. New Statesman, 759, 18-20.

Grading of Paper

• Clear presentation of thoughts• Logical flow of information• Use of at least three sources• Sources properly cited• Length of paper• Grammar & spelling• Left with sense of completion

Presentation

• 4-5 minutes on length• Do not read paper• Explain the significant points of battle• How did outcome affect future tactics

Due Dates

Papers due:Period 3: Monday, 16 December 2013

Periods 2, 4, 6: Tuesday, 17 December 2013(15% of grade)

Presentations begin:Period 3: Monday, 16 December 2013

Periods 2, 4, 6: Tuesday, 17 December 2013(5% of grade)

Checking Grammar & Punctuation

Commas can be dangerousWhich is correct?

• It’s time to eat Grandpa.• It’s time to eat, Grandpa.

• A panda in the zoo eats, shoots, and leaves.• A panda in the zoo eats shoots and leaves.

• The salad contains lettuce, goat, cheese, and tomatoes.

• The salad contains lettuce, goat cheese, and tomatoes.

Use of ApostrophesWhich is correct?

Rule: An apostrophe stands for a missing letter. It does not make a noun plural—a plain “s” does that.

•1980s•1980’s

•Attention customer’s, we are closing.•Attention customers, we are closing.

•“…you’re hands are soft.”•“…your hands are soft.”

Contractions

Rule: Here is where you can use an apostrophes—to shorten a word.

•He is = He’s

•I am = I’m

•You are = You’re

Contractions

When you are writing and use an apostrophe, read the work out loud to see if it make sense.

•“He is painting sign’s.”– Read it: He is painting sign is.

•“She is serving pie’s.”– Read it: She is serving pie is.

•“That’s not funny.”– Read it: That is not funny.

Subject/Verb Agreement

Rule: A singular subject takes a singular verb.

•The days of getting good grades for bad work is gone.•The days for getting good grades for bad work are gone.

•Those apples is good.•Those apples are good.

Dangling PrepositionsPrepositions show the relationship between a noun or pronoun or some other work or element in the rest of the sentence.

Rule: Prepositions cannot come at the end of a sentence or clause.

•That is behavior I simply cannot deal with.•That is behavior with which I simply cannot deal.

•There are five areas that they want students to concentrate on.•There are five areas on which they want students to concentrate.

Dangling Prepositions

• Where is the gym at?• Where is the gym?

• Which staircase did the man climb up?• Which staircase did the man climb?

Questions

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