Your Name_____________________ English II Research Paper Self-Edit 1. In RED ink, circle any 1st or 2nd person pronouns, unless they are from textual support (direct quote). 2. Highlight in PINK the thesis sentence. Is the thesis sentence the last one in the introduction? 3. Highlight in GREEN each topic sentence. Does each topic sentence contain a point that reflects back to the thesis sentence? 4. Is there more commentary than support? (4:1) 5. Is the textual evidence directly related to the motif? 6. Check verbs. Are they active and vivid? Yes No Write passive or weak verbs next to any verbs that are not active. 7. Are there specific details in each paragraph? Yes No Did you elaborate (give commentary) for each detail? Yes No If not, write add details and commentary where needed. 8. Did you use transitions phrases/sentences between paragraphs? Yes No Write “add transitional words” or “ideas” where needed. 9. Do you have a variety of sentence types (complex, simple, compound)? Yes No 10. Conclusion—Does it address the purpose of writing the paper? Yes No Last name 3 First Last Name Ms. Harding English II 30 April 2018 Research Paper Outline Template I. Background information/context: Example: Survival instincts are inherent in everyone. The pinning question is under what circumstances will humans allow these instincts to override their morals? William Golding explores the theme of savagery versus civilization through motifs like the conch and fire in his 1954 novel Lord of the Flies. _________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ a. Thesis statement: Statement over topics you will cover. Example: Golding’s characters in Lord of the Flies, possess recognizable traits of human nature. Piggy represents the intellect and authoritative structure; he also signifies the motif of rationalism. _________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ II. Body Paragraph 1: Character Analysis: Evaluate the character’s traits,their role in the story, and the conflicts they experience. When analyzing, think critically, pose questions, and draw conclusions about the character using those three guiding topics. _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ b. Evidence: _________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ c. How does evidence tie to the topic/concluding thoughts: _________________________________________________________________ _______________________________ ...

1. Your Name_____________________
English II Research Paper Self-Edit
1. In RED ink, circle any 1st or 2nd person pronouns, unless
they are from textual support (direct quote).
2. Highlight in PINK the thesis sentence. Is the thesis sentence
the last one in the introduction?
3. Highlight in GREEN each topic sentence. Does each topic
sentence contain a point that reflects back to the thesis
sentence?
4. Is there more commentary than support? (4:1)
5. Is the textual evidence directly related to the motif?
6. Check verbs.
Are they active and vivid?
Yes
No
Write passive or weak verbs next to any verbs that are not
active.
7. Are there specific details in each paragraph?
Yes
No
Did you elaborate (give commentary) for each detail?
Yes
No

2. If not, write add details and commentary where needed.
8. Did you use transitions phrases/sentences between
paragraphs?
Yes
No
Write “add transitional words” or “ideas” where needed.
9. Do you have a variety of sentence types (complex, simple,
compound)?
Yes
No
10. Conclusion—Does it address the purpose of writing the
paper?
Yes
No
Last name 3
First Last Name
Ms. Harding
English II
30 April 2018
Research Paper Outline Template
I. Background information/context:
Example: Survival instincts are inherent in everyone. The
pinning question is under what circumstances will humans allow
these instincts to override their morals? William Golding
explores the theme of savagery versus civilization through
motifs like the conch and fire in his 1954 novel Lord of the
Flies.

3. _____________________________________________________
____________
_____________________________________________________
_____________
_____________________________________________________
_____________
a. Thesis statement: Statement over topics you will cover.
Example: Golding’s characters in Lord of the Flies, possess
recognizable traits of human nature. Piggy represents the
intellect and authoritative structure; he also signifies the motif
of rationalism.
_____________________________________________________
____________
_____________________________________________________
_____________
_____________________________________________________
_____________
II. Body Paragraph 1: Character Analysis: Evaluate the

4. character’s traits,their role in the story, and the conflicts they
experience. When analyzing, think critically, pose questions,
and draw conclusions about the character using those three
guiding topics.
_____________________________________________________
____________
_____________________________________________________
____________
_____________________________________________________
_____________
b. Evidence:
_____________________________________________________
____________
_____________________________________________________
_____________
c. How does evidence tie to the topic/concluding thoughts:
_____________________________________________________
____________
_____________________________________________________
_____________
_____________________________________________________
_____________
III. Body Paragraph 2: Motif and Character Connection:
Introduce the motif (does it have a positive or negative
connotation – not only as it is seen in the novel, but also in real
life). Explain how the motif connects to/shapes your character,
and include one or two specific instances in the novel where
your character strongly exhibits or connects to the motif. Draw
a conclusion about the motif and how it effects the novel

5. overall.
_____________________________________________________
____________
_____________________________________________________
_____________
_____________________________________________________
_____________
b. Evidence:
_____________________________________________________
____________
_____________________________________________________
_____________
c. How does evidence tie to the topic/concluding thoughts:
_____________________________________________________
____________
_____________________________________________________
____________
IV. Body Paragraph 3: Outside current event connection: Find
one current event that also demonstrates this motif. It does not
have to tie back with Count of Monte Cristo—but it does need
to strongly tie-in with the motif. Briefly explain the current
event. This paragraph should be made up of mostly the
connection to the motif, and your discussion. Draw a conclusion
about the motif and real life.
_____________________________________________________
____________

6. _____________________________________________________
_____________
_____________________________________________________
_____________
b. Evidence:
_____________________________________________________
____________
_____________________________________________________
_____________
c. Draw a conclusion about the motif and real life.
_____________________________________________________
____________
_____________________________________________________
_____________
_____________________________________________________
_____________
V. Conclusion
a. Creatively restate the main points
_____________________________________________________
_____________
_____________________________________________________
_____________
b. What is the take away? What did you learn? What can
someone else learn from your topic? How can this relate to real
life?
_____________________________________________________

7. _____________
_____________________________________________________
_____________
c. Leave the reader with a sense of closure
_____________________________________________________
_____________
_____________________________________________________
_____________