This document provides an introduction and overview for writing a research paper on sustainability. It explains that the goal of the paper is to develop research, reading, and writing skills. It clarifies what a research paper is and is not, and outlines the criteria for grading, including reading comprehension, organization, use of sources, logic, summarization skills, citation of sources, and editing. The topic focus for all papers will be sustainability, and students must connect their research paper topic to one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

1. Introduction to the Research
Paper
ENG 204
Dr. Kristen Highland
(adapted from presentation by Dr. Peter Crompton)

2. Why do a Research Paper?
• A meaningless set of hoops to jump through in order to graduate?
• A chance to develop reading, research, and writing skills which will
help you succeed in your other courses at AUS (or at grad school or in
your first job), as well as enhance your approach to information and
the world around you.

3. What a Research Paper is not...
• An opinion piece
• A position paper
• A ‘for and against’ piece
• A personal response piece
• A book summary
• A narrative
• An uncritical account of a person
or institution you admire

4. What a Research Paper is...
A library-based research task requiring the skills of
• summarization,
• critique,
• synthesis,
• academic citation of different print-based sources, and
• editing.

5. What will I be graded on?
• Reading and thinking
• Organizing
• Using sources
• Evidence and logic
• Summarizing and quoting
• Citing sources
• Editing

6. Reading and thinking
High-quality reading and thinking:
• Showing that you have read and understood the
details, nuances, and complexities of your topic
• Covering a manageable topic in-depth
• Developing a clear research question
• Answering your research question

7. Organizing
High-quality Organization:
• Organizing the content of your paper
(Sections, Headings & Subheadings)
• Clear introduction setting out topic, question,
and way of answering.
• Clear conclusion, summarizing findings and
answering question

8. Using sources
Being in control through:
• Selecting authoritative and reliable sources
• Synthesizing several sources
• Accurately representing your sources
• Recognizing differences of opinion in your
sources
• Critiquing your sources

9. Evidence and logic
Convincing the reader by:
• Having an argument supported by evidence
• Using sound, consistent logic to develop the
argument
• Appealing to expert authorities to support
your conclusions

10. Summarizing and quoting, citing sources
Careful, clear, and concise writing:
• Summarizing and paraphrasing
• Selective and strategic use of quotation
• Citing sources (and correctly)
• Demonstrating familiarity with the APA
referencing system, in-text and end
reference list

11. Editing
Careful, attentive editing:
• Taking advice offered by instructor and peers
after each draft
• Editing your work carefully
• Offering attentive and thoughtful feedback on
peer work in writing groups

12. Tips for writing an excellent Research Paper
 Look at the ‘good’ student examples on iLearn so that you see where
you are going.
 Begin thinking about topics today.
 Start reading around possible topics this week.
 Start drafting well in advance of the working draft deadline.
 Use the Writing Center as much as you can.
 Use the Research Librarian service.

13. What topic will I be writing on?
Category Focus: Sustainability

14. Focus: Sustainability
What is Sustainability?
The United Nations’ 1987 Report of the World Commission on
Environment and Development: Our Common Future noted that
sustainable development meets the needs of the present without
compromising the well-being of future generations.

15. Focus: Sustainability
What is Sustainability?
Three core and interrelated elements:
• Environmental Protection
• Social Development
• Economic Development
Planet, People, Prosperity

16. Focus: Sustainability
Environmental Sustainability
Ecological integrity is maintained; all of
earth’s environmental systems are kept in
balance while natural resources within
them are consumed by humans at a rate
where they are able to replenish
themselves.

17. Focus: Sustainability
Economic Sustainability
Human communities across the globe are
able to maintain their independence and
have access to the resources that they
require, financial and other, to meet their
needs. Economic systems are intact and
activities are available to everyone, such as
secure sources of livelihood.

18. Focus: Sustainability
Social Sustainability
Universal human rights and basic
necessities are attainable by all people,
who have access to enough resources in
order to keep their families and
communities healthy and secure. Healthy
communities have just leaders who ensure
personal, labor, and cultural rights are
respected and all people are protected
from discrimination.

19. Focus: Sustainability
Why are we focusing on it?
UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Wu Hongbo:
“If all of the world’s people lived like people in the developed countries do, then we
would need three or four different globes to support the demand in terms of
natural resources. So, sustainability is the word for the whole world… The way it is
currently, with consumption and production, and with the ever-increasing
population, the planet’s resources will not sustain unless something is done to
change the way we treat our planet.”

20. Focus: Sustainability
Why are we focusing on it?
Interdisciplinary
Engineering, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Math, Computer Science, Business, Marketing,
Political Science, English, Foreign Language, Communications, International Relations,
Psychology, Education, Art, Music, Architecture—there are countless college majors that vary
immensely, but what is one thing that all of these majors have in common?
Sustainability!

21. Focus: Sustainability
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations
Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for
people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries -
developed and developing - in a global partnership. They recognize that ending
poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve
health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while
tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.

22. Focus: Sustainability

23. Focus: Sustainability
Your research paper topic must connect to one (or
more) of the SDGs.
We will be exploring the SDGs over the next several weeks.