Write a research paper on The importance/impact of Herman Melville had on our society.

During term 4 you will be researching and writing about an author in American Literature

that we haven’t fully explored. The assignment is to research an American author and the time

period in which they lived/wrote. You will follow several steps. Your ultimate goal is to write a

4-5 page research paper on one of the following questions:

What message is this author trying to convey through their writing? or

What was the impact/importance of this author?

My author is:__________________________________________

Step 4. Examine your research and complete an annotated bibliography. This is a document

where you will list a MINIMUM of 8 sources ( AT LEAST 1 non-electronic). For each source

write a paragraph describing the source and its significance to your topic.

Step 5. Come up with your thesis statement and complete an outline. In order to write your

thesis statement, be sure to answer one of the two assigned questions. This statement should be

based on the research you have completed. For your outline, you may choose from several

templates or create your own. However, you must include the following:

–Thesis statement

–AT LEAST three main points to support your argument

–AT LEAST two pieces of quoted evidence per main point

Step 6. Write your rough draft. There will be some instructor feedback/peer

review/conferencing. You must include a works cited page with your rough draft, as well as in-

text citations from at least 4 different sources.

Step 7. After you receive feedback, write your final draft!

The research paper will be worth TWO paper grades.

Paper grade #1: 5 points deducted from each piece for each class late.

Pre-research facts: 10 points (Due: May 1)

Ability to listen/get work done while in the library: 10 points (May 1 & 2)

Annotated Bibliography with at least 8 entries: 25 points (Due: May 10)

Thesis Statement and Outline: 25 points (Due: May 17)

First draft and works cited page: 30 points (Due: May 24)

Total points: 100

Paper grade #2: 5 points deducted for each class late.

Final draft (12 pt. TYPED- No Exceptions, 4-5 pages, MLA formatting) with a works

cited page: 100 points

(Due: June 7)

IMPORTANT: Your ability to turn in any part of the research paper depends on your ability to

hand in the pieces in order and on time. If you have not done any of the earlier steps, it will be

more difficult for you to turn in later pieces of the project. For example, it may be decided that

you are not allowed to turn in a final draft if you have not completed a rough draft. Completing

the full writing process will help you get the best grade possible.

A Note on Plagiarism:

BMHS has a clear policy on plagiarism. If caught plagiarizing, you will receive a zero on the

paper. Tips on how to avoid plagiarism will be discussed. However, doing well on this paper

depends on your ability to quote other sources. So, you WANT parts of your paper to be from

someone else. You should be quoting and citing various sources and using your own words to

explain how the evidence proves your point.

Extra Credit: If you visit the Writing Center (library, M-TH, 2:02-3:00) for help on your first or

final draft you will be bumped up a grade (A- to A, B to B+, D+ to C-, etc.).

Final Exam: Your final exam grade will be a presentation to the class about your research

project. In addition to presenting your findings about your author and time period, you will need

to create a visual (a poster or a PowerPoint presentation).

Finally: This project has been broken down into steps in order to keep you organized. Please

keep up with due dates. We have limited amounts of time before the year is over, so at a certain

point we will be unable to help you if you don’t stay on track. You must be doing your part in

order for me to assist you. Failure to do the research paper will most likely result in a failing

grade for term 4.

Ready! Set!