Assignment

This writing assignment gives you an opportunity to research a self-improvement subject that you are interested in and write an essay that integrates those sources into a coherent, organized, and well-developed 5-6 page paper.  Examples would include how yoga benefits mental and physical health, or how exercise improves fitness and relieves depression, etc.  Be sure to include a Works Cited page and copies of your references.  Page requirement is for the paper only, not including the Works Cited page.  A title page is not necessary.   Include at least 3 sources on the Works Cited page, and at least 5 in-text citations.  See “Writing a Research Paper” in your textbook beginning pg. 384.

RESEARCH PROPOSAL

A Research Proposal is due on Tuesday, November 15, the same day as the Library tour.  The Proposal will consist of a research question or working thesis statement, and a paragraph description of your topic.

OUTLINE AND ANNOTATED WORKS CITED

An Outline of your research paper and an Annotated Works Cited will be due on  Tuesday, November 22.  The Outline should include main topics and subheadings, and the Annotated Works Cited should include a list of proposed sources with a brief description of the content next to each source.

WRITING PROCESS

 The steps for writing a research paper can be divided as follows: 

1.      Select a self-improvement topic that you are interested in and can cover in some depth in 5-6 pages.

2.      Establish a research question or a working thesis.

3.      Gather information on your topic.  Consider using books, journals, magazines, newspapers, personal interviews, videos, etc.

4.      Complete Research Proposal, Outline, and Annotated Works Cited.

5.      Organize the information on your topic into subtopics.  Be sure to keep track of sources—make copies of the sources you used and record necessary information in preparation for the Works Cited page.

6.      If needed revise your thesis—it should present a perspective on your topic.