EN220/IN250, American Identity, O'Conner
Section 1, Tues/Thur 2:00-3:15,

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Thematic Research Paper

You will be responsible for writing a thematic research paper for the course, concentrating on one or more of the major themes found in the study of American Identity.This assignment, including the final draft of the essay along with its prewriting assignments and drafts, is worth 200 points. It should be an essay of major size and scope, ranging from 8 to 12 pages in length. As part of the course, by the final day of class, you will turn in a well-developed college-level research paper based on a major theme or themes found in the course.


The Writing Schedule (draft sections due throughout the semester):

  • first 250-500 word body section due, (20 pts)- April xx (see Syllabus)
  • second 250-500 word body section due, (20 pts)- April xx (see Syllabus)
  • third 250-500 word body section due, (20 pts)- April xx (see Syllabus)
  • fourth 250-500 word body section due, (20 pts)- April xx (see Syllabus)
  • introduction due, including thesis statement and pattern of development sentence (20 pts)- April xx (see Syllabus)

    • In your papers:
    1) no need for a cover page
    2) you should have a Works Cited page
    3) the paper should be in MLA format

    Evaluation Criteria:

    Paper Evaluation Sheet and Checklist Writer:__________________________________
    THIS PAPER: Peer Evaluator: ___________________________
    ___Fulfills the called-for assignment by having:
    a) a clear, complex thesis with no obvious right or wrong answers
    b) a college-level examination of "American Identity" and its major themes and concerns
    c) a college-level engagement with the overall subject

    Has an introduction that:
    __ begins with an attention-grabber to interest the audience (a pertinent quote, starting facts or statistics, etc.)
    __ introduces and places the topic/subject in its context (starts to define what American identity is but informs the reader that there are no easy answers or definitions to this)
    __ contains a clear and obvious thesis statement fitting requirements above
    __ contains a pattern of development statement (showing overall body organization) that prepares the reader for the development of the subjects covered in the body paragraphs

    Has body paragraphs that utilize the following writers to support your points:
    __ quotes, paraphrases or summaries from Bradford, Winthrop or the Puritans
    __ quotes, paraphrases or summaries from Crevecoeur
    __ quotes, paraphrases or summaries from Franklin, Douglass, Whitman
    __ quotes, paraphrases or summaries from Sinclair
    __ quotes, paraphrases or summaries from Steinbeck
    __ quotes, paraphrases or summaries from Bulosan
    __ quotes, paraphrases or summaries from Ellison
    __ quotes, paraphrases or summaries from Roth
    __ quotes, paraphrases or summaries from Viramontes
    __ quotes, paraphrases or summaries from Erdrich
    __ quotes, paraphrases or summaries from Momaday

    Has body paragraphs that contain:
    __ a transition from the former paragraph
    __ a topic sentence introducing the material within that paragraph
    __ specific examples and support of the topic sentence
    __ well argued reasoning that escapes logical fallacies
    __ internal references back to the overall thesis (in the topic sentence or somewhere in the paragraph)
    __ uses objective formal writing constructions, avoiding first person as much as possible-avoiding contractions

    Uses quotes and paraphrases utilizing proper MLA citation formats
    __ short quote forms (less than four lines, quotation marks, sentence punctuation after the parenthetical citation)
    __ long quote forms (more than 4 lines, indented, no quotation marks, punctuation before the parenthetical citation)
    __ paraphrases (must be cited just like a quotation)

    Has a conclusion:
    __ that has a concluding transition
    __ that briefly summarizes the topic covered
    __ that goes beyond mere summary to examine the larger view or impact of the subject,
    perhaps suggesting its significance - answers question: What is so important about analyzing American identity?

    The Final Draft:
    __ Has a "Works Cited" list in proper MLA format
    __ Has adequate development for a project of this size and scope
    __ Has good overall readability
    __ Has good sentence structure and usage
    __ Uses correct grammar
    __ Has few, if any, spelling errors and typos

    The Final Draft meets all style sheet requirements:
    __ Uses 1" margins all around
    __ Has the title on first page, no title page
    __ Has writer's last name and page number on every page
    __ Is left justified (NOT center justified)
    __ Is double spaced
    __ Uses a font and point size that produces around 250 words page (I recommend Times New Roman, 12 pt)

     

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    by Dr. Michael O'Conner, Millikin University. Contact: moconner@mail.millikin.edu