Formal Essay RulesFormal Essay Rules

Research PapersResearch Papers

AP Research PaperAP Research Paper

Use the formula for the MP 1 EssayUse the formula for the MP 1 Essay

Plot + Device = Meaning Plot + Device = Meaning

Your paper will be an expanded version of Your paper will be an expanded version of the MP 1 essay, using 2 works of literature the MP 1 essay, using 2 works of literature and supporting criticism. and supporting criticism.

You must include 5 works of criticism and 2 You must include 5 works of criticism and 2 works of literature in the final paper.works of literature in the final paper.

Approaching History for Approaching History for Research Research

Don’t think of this as a simple report Don’t think of this as a simple report stating stating what happened.what happened.

Your job is to explain Your job is to explain why it why it happenedhappened..

Narrow Your Topic!Narrow Your Topic!

General topic: Immigrants in CanadaGeneral topic: Immigrants in Canada

More specific: Immigrant workers in More specific: Immigrant workers in Canada 1830 – 1940Canada 1830 – 1940

More specific: British pauper children More specific: British pauper children as indentured workers in Canada as indentured workers in Canada 1830-19401830-1940

QuestionsQuestions

Why were British pauper children Why were British pauper children used as indentured workers in used as indentured workers in Canada between 1830 and 1940? Canada between 1830 and 1940? Why did the practice end in the Why did the practice end in the 1940s?1940s?

Preliminary Thesis Preliminary Thesis

British pauper children filled an British pauper children filled an important labor shortage on Canadian important labor shortage on Canadian farms between 1830 and 1940.farms between 1830 and 1940.

Refined Thesis Refined Thesis

Canada’s practice of importing young Canada’s practice of importing young child laborers was the controversial child laborers was the controversial result of Britain’s attempts to deal result of Britain’s attempts to deal with the poor and to fill Canada’s with the poor and to fill Canada’s labor needs. Changing public labor needs. Changing public perceptions of childhood eventually perceptions of childhood eventually led to the demise of child labor led to the demise of child labor importation.importation.

Paper Requirements Paper Requirements

5 sources (minimum) in final paper.5 sources (minimum) in final paper. 2 books, and 1 database source 2 books, and 1 database source

(minimum). (minimum).

CP: 4-5 pagesCP: 4-5 pages

H: 5-6 pagesH: 5-6 pages

AP: 7-8 pagesAP: 7-8 pages

Reports Due in OctoberReports Due in October

Have a working thesis statement. Have a working thesis statement. Tell the class your idea for an Tell the class your idea for an argument on this topic at the argument on this topic at the beginning of the essay.beginning of the essay.

Write an in class essay covering the Write an in class essay covering the basic information from one major basic information from one major book source. book source.

Directions for Making an OutlineDirections for Making an Outline

Use Roman numerals, letters and Use Roman numerals, letters and numbers to indicate the major numbers to indicate the major sections of your paper. sections of your paper.

Include citations and a revised works Include citations and a revised works cited sheet with your outline on the cited sheet with your outline on the due date.due date.

Outline ExampleOutline Example

Thesis: Thesis:

I Topic SentenceI Topic Sentence

A. Fact (Citation)A. Fact (Citation)

1. My analysis1. My analysis

2. My analysis2. My analysis

B. QuoteB. Quote (Citation)(Citation)

C. Specific Detail or Statistic (Citation)C. Specific Detail or Statistic (Citation)

What is Common Knowledge What is Common Knowledge and Doesn’t Need to be Cited?and Doesn’t Need to be Cited?

If in doubt, cite it!If in doubt, cite it! You may consider it “common knowledge” You may consider it “common knowledge”

- If you can find the fact in multiple - If you can find the fact in multiple

sources sources

- AND IT IS SOMETHING OTHER - AND IT IS SOMETHING OTHER

PEOPLE IN THE CLASS WOULD KNOW PEOPLE IN THE CLASS WOULD KNOW

WITHOUT LOOKING AT SOURCE WITHOUT LOOKING AT SOURCE

MATERIAL!MATERIAL!

Common Knowledge - FictionCommon Knowledge - Fiction

You do not need to cite basic plot You do not need to cite basic plot points of works of fiction. Assume points of works of fiction. Assume you are writing for an audience that you are writing for an audience that has an academic understanding of has an academic understanding of fiction. fiction.

Final Thoughts at This Point in Final Thoughts at This Point in the Processthe Process

Your outline should be detailed, Your outline should be detailed, explaining what material you plan to explaining what material you plan to cite and the order of the information. cite and the order of the information.

I should be able to determine the logic I should be able to determine the logic of your argument based on the outline. of your argument based on the outline.

Points deducted for lack of detail!Points deducted for lack of detail!

Outline RemindersOutline Reminders

Show me a clear plan for the body of Show me a clear plan for the body of your paper. your paper.

Include all direct quotes, statistics, Include all direct quotes, statistics, and general facts from your sources. and general facts from your sources.

After each piece of information from After each piece of information from a source, include the citation. a source, include the citation. (Reynolds 5).(Reynolds 5).

CitationsCitations

When there is no author, cite by title. When there is no author, cite by title. You may use a key word in the title You may use a key word in the title if it is very long. if it is very long.

Check rules for other variations! Check rules for other variations!

Three Ways to CiteThree Ways to Cite

Wordsworth stated that Romantic poetry Wordsworth stated that Romantic poetry was marked by a "spontaneous overflow of was marked by a "spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings" (263). powerful feelings" (263).

Romantic poetry is characterized by the Romantic poetry is characterized by the "spontaneous overflow of powerful "spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings" (Wordsworth 263).feelings" (Wordsworth 263).

Wordsworth extensively explored the role Wordsworth extensively explored the role

of emotion in the creative process (263).of emotion in the creative process (263).

LanguageLanguage

No vague language (“things,” No vague language (“things,” “good,” “bad,” “stuff”).“good,” “bad,” “stuff”).

Do not begin sentences with “so,” Do not begin sentences with “so,” “then,” or “well,” “and,” or “but.”“then,” or “well,” “and,” or “but.”

Use the literal and precise meaning Use the literal and precise meaning of words. (No “on the other hand”)of words. (No “on the other hand”)

SentencesSentences

All sentences should be complete All sentences should be complete with a subject and a verb.with a subject and a verb.

Vary sentence structure. Vary sentence structure. Avoid linking verbs (“is,” “are”)Avoid linking verbs (“is,” “are”) Use present tense for literature and Use present tense for literature and

past tense for history.past tense for history. Avoid passive voice (no “the ball Avoid passive voice (no “the ball

was thrown by Paul”).was thrown by Paul”).

Paragraph StructureParagraph Structure

Paragraphs should begin with a topic Paragraphs should begin with a topic sentence (state what the paragraph is sentence (state what the paragraph is about), should have supporting details about), should have supporting details that describe all important information that describe all important information about the topic, and should end with a about the topic, and should end with a concluding thought in YOUR OWN WORDS!concluding thought in YOUR OWN WORDS!

All body paragraphs should have at least All body paragraphs should have at least one short quote from the literature or one short quote from the literature or source material. However, the bulk of the source material. However, the bulk of the paragraph should be YOUR OWN WORDS!paragraph should be YOUR OWN WORDS!

ToneTone

Use a formal tone and quality vocabulary Use a formal tone and quality vocabulary (you are not writing a text message to a (you are not writing a text message to a friend)!friend)!

Do not use the words “I” or “you.”Do not use the words “I” or “you.” Do not make any “announcements” in your Do not make any “announcements” in your

essay (essay (In conclusion, In this essay I will write In conclusion, In this essay I will write about, This essay is about, As stated above). about, This essay is about, As stated above).

Use quality vocabulary - if a 2nd grader can Use quality vocabulary - if a 2nd grader can read your entire essay and understand EVERY read your entire essay and understand EVERY WORD, you are not writing like an adult!WORD, you are not writing like an adult!

Introduction and ConclusionIntroduction and Conclusion Introduction paragraph should end with Introduction paragraph should end with

the thesis statement.the thesis statement. Anecdotal: Tell a story.Anecdotal: Tell a story. Contrast: Argue against the common belief. Contrast: Argue against the common belief.

(Most people believe that America deserves (Most people believe that America deserves all the credit for bringing WWII to an end. all the credit for bringing WWII to an end. However, were it not for the British effort…)However, were it not for the British effort…)

Funnel: Start with a broad topic sentence and Funnel: Start with a broad topic sentence and slowly lead up the thesis statement.slowly lead up the thesis statement.

Conclusion should contain a reworded Conclusion should contain a reworded thesis statement and sum up main points thesis statement and sum up main points of the essay.of the essay.