The document provides instructions for a research paper assignment on the theme of human behavior. Students must write a 6-8 page paper that presents a problem or issue related to human behavior, conducts research to answer questions about the topic, and develops an argument supported by sources. The assignment includes a proposal, annotated bibliography, outline, drafts, and final paper. It also provides a grading rubric that evaluates elements such as the thesis, organization, argument development, research, source integration, and writing mechanics.

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ENGL 1121: College Writing and Critical Reading
Paper 4: Researched Essay Rev. 01/04/21
For this assignment, you will write a 6-8 page essay that
presents a problem, issue, or question related to the theme
below;
synthesizes information from research; and develops an
argument about one specific idea, understanding, or action.
This semester’s theme: Human behavior
You can approach the given theme from the perspective of your
planned studies or simply your own interests. The theme

2. works with all majors and areas of interest. Consider the range
of possibilities. Many topics in the field of psychology
would fit. But topics in other disciplines work, too. For
example, you examine the issue of violent attacks on nurses and
how emergency rooms could address this; you could propose
ways to motivate people who are reluctant to work out; you
could study why people order things from infomercials; you
could examine why people vote (or don’t); you could analyze
why the narrator in Raymond Carver’s short story “Cathedral”
is so rude to his guest; you could research how creating art
or music affects mood and behavior. The list goes on…. As long
as (1) your final, narrow topic has something to do with
human behavior, (2) you can make an argument about it, and (3)
you can find credible sources about it, you can write
about whatever you choose.
No matter what you choose for a topic, consider that writing a
research paper is not simply doing a “report” on a pre-
existing topic. It is not about simply presenting information or
locating evidence to support a pre-existing opinion.
Instead, it is about asking questions, conducting research to
answer those questions, and synthesizing information to
support your conclusions. In addition, there are different types
of research papers; some define or redefine an issue or

3. problem, some classify information, some explain a process,
some compare and contrast information, some illustrate or
demonstrate, and some aim to persuade an audience to do or
think something. Research papers do something. You will
do something with yours. This paper must go beyond simply
providing information. It must have an argument.
Once you choose a subject, you will narrow the scope of your
topic to a specific feature, angle/position, or point of
interest. You’ll use relevant source material to support your
stance, and you will create a piece of academic writing that
synthesizes the works of experts, incorporates their thoughts
with your own, and establishes you as an expert.
Learning Objectives
After completing this assignment, you should be able to:
• Define an appropriate scope for a writing project
• Synthesize secondary research material, correctly quoting,
paraphrasing, summarizing, and citing info
• Present your informed stance in a clearly stated thesis as part
of a fully developed, persuasive argument
• Use a writing process to develop a piece of writing from
initial idea to final, polished product

4. Minimum Requirements
-2,400 words
-text and
Works Cited citations)
Audience: Your audience is the general academic community:
educated, informed, and curious, but not expert.
Project Parts Points Due Date
Proposal and preliminary bibliography 10 ___________
Source Reading Chart 50 ___________
Detailed outline and preliminary thesis 10 ___________
3-page draft 20 ___________
Revision plan 10 ___________
Final draft (submitted in hard copy and on D2L) 100
___________
Total points: 200
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5. Research Project Parts and Instructions
1. Proposal, Research Question, and Preliminary Bibliography
For this step, you will submit, in one document:
-3 substantial paragraphs describing the topic that you are
proposing to research and write about (200-300
words). You should include: background and explanation of the
topic, an explanation of how it fits the theme (if
necessary), why you want to write about it, why it’s important,
what you already know about it, what you need to
find out, what types of sources you might find, and what
challenges you see in completing the project.
-sentence research question that captures the specific
problem or issue you will address
-10 sources that you might use in your paper. You
do not need to read these sources to add them to this
list, but you should have looked at them closely enough to
determine their relevance. List these sources in full
with all necessary bibliographic details, in correct MLA format
(in essence, make a Works Cited page).
2. Source Reading Chart
As you review sources and begin to read those you might use in
your paper, you will summarize and evaluate them in
this step. Most of the work involved in this step is reading and
note taking; the chart serves to keep you on track and
record your assessment of the sources and how useful they will
be for your paper. This chart is required and must be

6. turned in before you begin drafting the paper.
3. Detailed Outline and Preliminary Thesis
For this step, you will submit, in one document:
at answers your research
question and expresses what idea, understanding, or
action you will argue for, based on your research and thinking
so far
you expect to include in your paper. It should be as
detailed as possible, reflecting what you have learned so far,
how you see your research paper taking shape, where
your sources fit in, and what additional subtopics or research
you might add to fill in any gaps.
After this point, you cannot change your research topic; your
paper must be on this topic.
4. First Draft
Before you submit your final draft, you will complete at least
one draft for peer and possibly instructor review. The
draft should be three full pages of text, plus bibliographic
entries (whatever you’ve completed so far of the Works
Cited page). Your draft should represent a serious and thorough
attempt at beginning and show that you understand
how to correctly synthesize source material with your own
ideas. An acceptable draft must have:

7. appropriate
in the draft)
5. Revision Plan
You will produce a one-page revision plan that lists what you
plan to do to finish and perfect your paper, based on
your own assessment and ideas, as well as the feedback you
receive from your peers and professor. These things can
be simply listed or described in paragraph form, if you wish.
Your revision plan should include:
draft (things like improve thesis, reorganize sections,
strengthen transitions, add source material, add
counterargument, etc.)
lan to do as you revise your research
draft (things like fix the running header, check and
correct problems like “its” vs. “it’s,” compose a new title, etc.)
-word paragraph of reflection: What have you done
well, what were your major challenges, and what have
you learned about writing in college and about yourself as a
writer?

8. 6. Final Draft
Use the class activities, materials, and weekly lessons on
editing and proofreading, as well as the rubric on the next
two pages, to complete and polish your final research paper.
3
Grading Rubric for Final Draft
A paper B paper C paper D paper
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9. re
Intro and Thesis
(10 points)
Theses should be:
-
able scope
(optional)
Intro sets parameters and
direction, and fully
prepares reader for thesis
Thesis is a clearly stated,
specific, easily identified
statement
Thesis is debatable

10. Reflects narrow scope
and controlled focus
Intro sets direction and
adequately prepares
reader for thesis
Thesis is a clearly stated,
easily identified statement
Thesis has an
argumentative edge
Reflects a manageable
scope and focus
Intro hints at direction
and ends with thesis
Thesis is a discernible
controlling idea
Thesis has an
argumentative edge
Scope and focus could

11. be more controlled
Intro hints at topic and
content, but does not
prepare reader for the
essay; may leave
reader confused
Thesis hints at a
discernible controlling
idea
Thesis is more
informational than
argumentative
Scope is too broad to
be fully developed
Paragraphs &
Organization
(15 points)
The three

12. characteristics of
paragraph
composition:
-
ment
Every paragraph
contributes to thesis
Paragraphs are clear and
of appropriate length
Topic sentences control
and shape coherent
paragraphs
Transitions guide reader
from one point to the
next
Paragraphs provide
content in logical order,
progressing through

13. necessary, evident stages
Conclusion mentions
significance and broader
context(s) and fully
wraps up essay
Every paragraph
contributes to thesis
Paragraphs are clear and
adequately developed
Topic sentences are used
to signal paragraph
content
Transitions link
paragraphs
Paper provides
information in logical
order
Conclusion gestures

14. toward significance and
broader context(s) and
signals end of essay
Most paragraphs
contribute to thesis;
some may not fit
Paragraphs are
generally coherent,
only occasionally
unwieldy (too long) or
confusing
Attempt at topic
sentences
Transitions are limited
or unclear in helping
the reader follow
along
Paragraphs could be

15. reordered to provide
more understandable
flow of info
Conclusion signals
end of essay
Paragraphs not clearly
relevant or tied to
thesis
Many paragraphs not
coherently organized
around one topic or
topic sentence
Paragraphs are too
short (undeveloped) or
unmanageable (too
long)
No topic sentences

16. Limited or no use of
transitions
Flow of argument
seems haphazard or
unclear
Conclusion is missing,
abrupt, or repetitive
C
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17. p
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Argument
Development
(25 points)
Synthesize
material by:
Synthesizes source
material in a balanced
and effective way to
support own ideas
Shows a skilled balance
of summary, paraphrase,
and quote

18. Explains meaning and
significance of evidence
Addresses
counterarguments
Foresees and responds to
audience needs
Uses source material
effectively to support own
ideas
Uses summary,
paraphrase, and quotation
Explains meaning and
significance of evidence
Attempts to address
counterarguments
Shows consideration of
audience needs
Uses source material

19. to build argument,
though may rely upon
it too much or too little
Relies too heavily on
one method of
synthesis
Could explain
evidence more
thoroughly
Mentions possible
counterarguments
Shows some
consideration of
audience needs
Use of source material
is inadequate or
incoherent
Shows no balance in

20. use of sources or no
synthesis
Fails to explain
significance or
meaning of evidence
Shows no
consideration of
counterarguments
Neglects to respond to
audience needs
4
Research
(20 points)
Minimum sources:
total

21. or otherwise
credible
Uses credible and
persuasive sources
All major points are
supported with research
evidence
Uses mostly appropriate
sources
Most major points are
supported with research
evidence
Sources could be
stronger
There are some gaps
in research support
Most sources not

22. appropriate for
academic research
Research evidence is
not used adequately to
support points
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23. Source
Integration &
Citation
(20 points)
Each instance of
source use should
have:
phrase
in-text cite
Cited entry
Integrates source
material smoothly with
signal phrases
Uses MLA style and
documentation
All in-text citations are

24. correct
Works Cited page is
complete and correct
Paper format is perfect
Integrates source material
effectively with signal
phrases
Uses MLA style and
documentation
Most in-text citations are
correct
Most Works Cited entries
are complete and correct
Paper format is correct

25. Some source
integration awkward
or unclear
Uses MLA style and
documentation
In-text citations
contain some errors
Works Cited entries
are missing or contain
errors
Paper format is correct
Multiple problems
with source integration
Uses MLA style and

26. documentation
In-text citations are
incorrect
Works Cited is
incomplete or
incorrect
Paper format incorrect
S
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27. v
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Writing Style,
Grammar, and
Errors (10 total)
1. Sentence
Strength & Style
(5 points)
2. Grammar and
Errors (5 points)
Clear sentences are
structurally correct
Tone is appropriately
formal
Employs third-person

28. point of view
Typos and errors are
absent
Clear sentences with few
structure problems
Tone is appropriate
Employs third-person
point of view
Typos are minimal or so
limited as not to disrupt
readability in any major
way
Clear sentences with
occasional structure
problems

29. Tone may be too
informal at times
Strays into casual use
of 1st or 2nd person
Typos are noticeable
and may occasionally
disrupt readability
Sentences lack clarity,
impeding meaning;
frequent structure
problems
Tone is too informal
Inappropriate use of 1st
or 2nd person
Typos are so

30. numerous as to
damage the writer’s
authority
Papers that fail to achieve minimum standards receive a grade
of F.
Questions?