FIRST SUBMISSION OF RESEARCH PAPER

Purposes

to integrate research effectively into a close reading of a text and to write a clearly organized and cogently argued essay, impeccable in every way

Grading Information

  • Due Date: Feb. 11
  • Format: MLA Style of parenthetical reference, otherwise known as in-text citations
  • Weight: 10%
  • Length: 10-12 typed pages or 2500-3000 words

Grading Criteria

  1. Organization: integrated beginning, middle, and end
  2. Argumentation: persuasive use of textual evidence and clear explanation of the evidence's significance
  3. Research: relevant use of critical sources
  4. Documentation: proper use of bibliography and citations
  5. Grammar and Style: proper and effective use of language

Plagiarism

Please see MLA Guide and the Documentation Handout, paying particular attention to the distinctions between "direct" and "indirect" reference. Remember that failure to acknowledge your indebtedness to someone else for words or ideas is a serious academic offense, and could result in a grade of "0" in either the paper or the course.
See the Nipissing Calendar.

Late Policy

To be accepted for full value, assignments must be presented in class on the due date. Late assignments will be received for one week following the deadline, but at a cost of a daily penalty. After the grace week, students must provide a formal written request, accompanied by a valid explanation, for their late submissions to be accepted by the instructor. Students who know they will not be able to meet a particular deadline are strongly urged to contact the instructor before the due date.

The instructor will deduct a penalty of 2 marks per day up to 7 days. The weekend amounts to "one day"--ie. 2 marks total, or 1 mark per day, will be deducted for Saturday and Sunday. Any papers submitted on the due date, but after the beginning of class, will be docked 1 mark. Total possible marks deducted on the last day of receipt = 12 marks (regardless of whether the paper is handed to the instructor in lecture, in the hallway, or in the office on the 7th day).

Essay Check List

  1. Thesis: Is it clearly, precisely, and fully explicated?
  2. Organization:
    1. How effective are the introduction and conclusion?
    2. Do the paragraphs follow a logical order?
  3. Argumentation:
    1. How persuasive are the main arguments?
    2. Is each of the sub-arguments relevant to the overall argument or thesis?
    3. Do you use textual evidence effectively and lucidly enough?
    4. What is your strongest argument?
  4. Paragraph Development:
    1. Are the links between each sentence clear?
    2. Can you see a line of thought or argument running through each paragraph?
    3. Are the transitions between paragraphs signalled effectively?
  5. Sentence Structure:
    1. Do you overuse the passive voice?
    2. Do you avoid the choppy sentence syndrome? Don't overuse a certain sentence length: alternate short and long sentences as the rhetorical need arises.
    3. Do your sentences begin in the same manner? Vary sentence openings with transitional expressions, phrases, and subordinate clauses.
    4. Vary sentence types. Use different grammatical types: simple, compound, complex, and compound complex. Use different functional types: declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory. Vary the two main rhetorical types: loose (or cumulative) and periodic (or climactic).
  6. Grammar: Watch out for the following errors:
    1. sentence fragments
    2. run-ons
    3. comma splices
    4. dangling and misplaced modifiers
    5. pronoun agreement and reference
    6. subject-verb agreement
  7. Diction:
    1. Do you use every word properly and carefully or do you guess at the meaning of words?
    2. Are you consistent with crucial terms or words? It is important to repeat words that are central to your argument.
  8. Punctuation:
    1. Watch out for faulty use of semi-colons. Don't use semi-colons as commas or colons.
    2. Commas usually come in pairs and do not mark off pauses in speech.
  9. Format: Do you follow the MLA Style Documentation for in-text Citations and Works Cited?
  10. Overall Rhetorical Effect: How would you describe your paper's force as an act of persuasive speech? Do you think it would persuade its audience to accept its basic claims?


Any questions about the assignment?
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