Social Changes research paper

Dr. Jean Gaumer
Moral Issues in Literature (H)
Research Paper – MLA Form (7-10 pages)
Social or Moral Changes in Society
Senior class honors

Due Dates:
Wednesday, December 5 – Working Thesis, Outline of Paper; Works Consulted
Friday, December 21 – Finished Paper (7-10 citations from 5 or more sources)


Grading Rationale:
Outline (10 points)
Annotated Hardcopies, Student Notes and Note Cards (15 points)
Citations in Paper – number, quality, accuracy, appropriateness to topic, and alignment with Works Cited Page (25 points)
Paper with Works Cited Page and Bibliography (50 points)


Directions:
1. Choose a social custom or tradition that has changed over a period of time (no more than 100 years).

2. Find as many sources as you can on the subject, from print and electronic sources. Read broadly on your topic to gain general knowledge. Note different points of view.

3. Narrow your topic to some aspect of your subject.

4. Decide on your thesis statement. You might begin with a question, one that you would like to know the answer to, and then reword that into a statement.

5. Go back over your research and take notes on books and magazines and annotate hard copies of electronic sources.

6. Work on outline. Use phrases or sentences for the outline, not single words.

7. Write paper.


NOTE: Please ask for whatever help you need. If our schedules conflict, e-mail me at jgaumer@AOL.com.


Organization of Paper
Introduction – Do not summarize what the body of the paper is going to develop. Consider these ways to begin: Is there some story or anecdote that will grab the reader’s interest in the topic? Is there an historical perspective that would help the reader understand why the topic is important? What is the significance of this topic? What will your research show about our society or culture? What attracted your interest?
At the end of the introduction, write your thesis statement and include the estimated span of time that your research addresses.

Body – There are two ways to develop your thesis. One way is to do a comparison of two periods of time to show how the custom or belief or tradition has changed. The other way is to show the gradual changes that occurred over an extended period of time. Either way, chronological order is probably best.
Support your ideas with examples and references (paraphrased and direct quotations) to your research sources throughout the paper. Be sure to use MLA parenthetical documentation to credit both the material you paraphrase as well as quote. If you do not know, ask, but do not guess.
Conclusion – Do not summarize paper. Write a commentary about what you have come to learn or observe about human nature or our society or culture regarding the changes you have just described. This paragraph is your answer to the big “SO WHAT?” question that gives your research importance.