English III American Storytellers

English IIIH
Research Project
Assignment Sheet and Assessment

Task:
In a well researched, persuasive essay, examine a particular American storyteller and both analyze and evaluate his or her representation or critique of American culture or society. To achieve this objective, you must present sufficient background about your person and his/her storytelling craft; also include sources that support your evaluation of how this person has represented some aspect of American society at a specific time in our history. Your paper will address three specific areas (writing about 2 pages per section): 1) how his/her life impacted his writing 2) a critical assessment of his/her texts and 3) use of secondary sources to address the “So What?” or How this person’s writing critiques American culture. ***Note all work is expected to follow MLA guidelines!

Procedure:
Research
1. Review the rubric
2. Develop your essential question (see separate sheet—to be completed by __2/8__).
3. Begin research on topic. Remember the three components of your paper: biography, primary sources and critical reviews. Library days: ______2/19, 21 and 22______.
4. Revise your essential question based on the information you’ve gathered. Consider THESIS statement. How does this writer comment on American culture?
5. Choose 2 primary sources—two stories—that will focus your paper. (Second Quarter IRP is one, THIRD Quarter IRP can be the other!) AND TAKE NOTE CARDS ON THESE SOURCES AS THEY RELATE TO THESIS.
6. Read or view the stories/texts—be sure to take notes that will inform your paper. You need specific details from the story for examples in your paper!
7. Review instructions on note cards (see separate sheet) and carefully document ALL of YOUR sources and important information on the cards.
8. Repeat steps 1 through 7 as many times as necessary!

Pre-Writing and Drafting
1. Draft a thesis; outline your main ideas. Follow MLA format for an outline (see MLA Handbook). Include source citations IN your outline.
2. Draft your paper, considering the three parts. USE Chronology to frame ideas!
3. Revise your thesis to reflect your fully developed argument.
4. Revise your paper based on the following two “meetings:”
A. Peer-editing conference in class. MUST have complete draft and Works Cited/Consult.
B. Student-Teacher writing conference. 30 minute during lunch/free or before/after school!
Publishing
1. Edit/revise paper based on feedback from teacher and peers.
2. Bring project to class for research party day.
Due Dates/Points: All of the following are considered paper/project grades!
Research:
Library reflection (10 points): 2/25
Works consulted page (with 12 possible sources) (20 points): Tuesday 2/26
40 note cards and preliminary thesis (40 points): Friday, March 7
40 note cards (40 points) due: Friday, March 14
Outline with thesis (20 points): Tuesday, March 18
Rough Draft: (50 points): Monday, March 24 (will count for third quarter)
Conference (10 points): March 24-28
Published Paper (100 points): Monday, April 4/7 all papers due! (will count for fourth quarter)