9.5 WRITE: Instructions for the Organic Research Paper

Topic

You have written several small reports over the past few months. Now your colleagues and your boss want all the information collected together. Using the same topic, now weave together information from essays 01, 02, and 03 (as well as the other work that you prepared in class) into a single organic research paper. Use your new introduction with your new thesis statement. Combine your outros into one conclusion. Organize your body paragraphs into a logical sequence that supports your new thesis. Add any new information or sources necessary to ensure a complete and logical argument. Add any necessary transitions. Combine your Works Cited pages. Remember to apply all of the feedback that you have received this term from your instructor, classmates, and tutors.

Guidelines

• Combine material from all of your previous writing in this class. This is often 4-6 pages, but the exact number of pages, paragraphs, or words is not important. The important thing is that your ideas are clear, complete, and compelling.
• Give your paper a new title. Capitalize the first letter of each major word (do not capitalize conjunctions, prepositions, or articles unless they are the first word of the title). Use your computer’s CENTER button to center the title.
• Use as many body paragraphs as necessary. Organize the sequence of ideas carefully so that each one builds on the previous one. Each body paragraph needs a clear topic sentence and supporting ideas. Use a variety of sentence types. Use your computer’s TAB key to indent the first line of each paragraph.
• Include a single introduction with a new, three-story thesis statement that contains a clear topic, claim, and a preview of the main points for the entire organic research paper.
• Support your ideas with specific details, descriptions, examples, and information. Use all of the sources and their citations from essays 01, 02, and 03 and the extra research paragraph (that means you should have at least six citations). You may add more if you wish. Use MLA style for both in-text citations and a Works Cited page. You must cite anything that is not common knowledge. Remember that a Works Cited page will begin a new page at the end of your document.
• Include a single conclusion that restates the new thesis (topic + claim) in light of the information you provided in the body.
• For academic writing, use a formal tone. Write in third person, not first or second person. (don’t use I, we, or you).
• Use academic vocabulary. Use transition signals (first, next, also, however, etc.) to guide the reader.
• Remember to edit, proofread, and revise carefully, paying close attention to grammar and mechanics. Review the grading rubric and double check your essay for comma splices, subject-verb agreement, word forms, punctuation and spelling.
• Do your own work; do not plagiarize.

Formatting

All out-of-class writing assignments must be typed. Use a regular font (not too big or little or crazy — for example: Times Roman 12). Assignments must be double-spaced (skip a line). Use approximately one-inch margins on all sides. Include your name and date in the upper left-hand corner. Put the page number in the upper right-hand corner with your last name like this: Krause 1 [but you should use your own last name].

Grading

Each draft is worth 10 points, however each draft is graded differently. The grading rubric for the first draft awards more points for content and organization, while the grading rubric for the second draft awards more points for grammar and mechanics. You can find the grading rubrics in Appendix A.

MODEL ORGANIC RESEARCH PAPER

Look in Appendix B for an example of a finished organic research paper.