First Research Papers

English 2 topics will center around The American Dream or Poverty in the United States.
English 4 topics will stem from 30 for 30: Hillsborough
A more in-depth outline and packet can be found in your google classroom or in my actual classroom.

You have two options for the type of paper you write:

• Argument/Counterargument
• Explain or define the topic; go from general to specific
• Thesis Statement: one to two sentences that answer the following questions
• How is the topic relevant? Why does it matter?
• What do you have to say about it? What type of support do you have?
• Why are you writing the paper? Who is it for? (Avoid the obvious, "for class" or "my teacher" and try to figure out who your target audience is.)
• Your body will include a look at the major arguments for and against your topic, focusing on the side you think is "right".
• Conclusion
• So what? Now what? 
• Why does it matter? What does it change?
• Final Thought
• Problem/Solution
• Explain or define the problem; go from general to specific
• Thesis Statement: one to two sentences that answer the following questions
• How is the topic relevant? Why does it matter?
• What do you have to say about it? What type of support do you have?
• Why are you writing the paper? Who is it for? (Avoid the obvious, "for class" or "my teacher" and try to figure out who your target audience is.)
• Your body will include an analysis of possible solutions before focusing on the best solution.
• Conclusion: Explain the best solution and support it.
• So what? Now what? 
• Why does it matter? What does it change?
• Final Thought

Honors 4: Guided Essay

This is either a problem/solution or argument/counterargument essay. At least one of your three sources needs to come from the articles I handed out or the documentary we watched (Food Inc.). Any sources you find need to be printed off and cited correctly.

Please check the Citation Information tag or OWL@Purdue for information or to answer any format questions.

The paper will be two pages (typed, et al.) and include a bibliography as the third page. The final draft will be on top with a rough draft, an outline, and any supplemental materials stapled behind. If you choose to turn it in via google classroom make sure each file name makes sense considering how many people might be uploading the same assignment.

WR 121 Research Proposal Notes

You must have a conversation with me explaining how your topic of choice connects to either The Scarlet Letter or The Awakening. This leaves a huge pool of topics to pull from, like the following examples:

• Should we still be protesting for equal treatment based on skin color/gender/sexual orientation?
• What should modern education look like?
• How much control should the government have over the individual?
• How should people with mental illness be treated? What options for care should be available to them?
• What makes someone a good parent?
• How should current research on brain development affect parenting/education?
• How should local forests be managed? Who should make the decisions about public spaces?
• What duty does society have to the working poor?

The first step in the research paper is developing a question, writing a proposal, and writing an introductory/thesis paragraph.

Proposal Format

• Topic (Research Question):
• Thesis Statement:
• Reasoning in Support of Argument:
• #1
• #2
• #3
• #4
• #5
• Counterarguments:
• Counterargument #1:
• Refute:
• Counterargument #2:
• Refute:
• Counterargument #3:
• Refute
• Source Material:
1. Article title, author, publish date:
2. Article title, author, publish date:
3. Article title, author, publish date:
• Thesis Paragraph/Introduction:

All Classes: Analytical Paragraph

Analytical Paragraph: response to an article, short story, chapter/book, play, poem, television show/episode, film, lecture, etc. (should be 7-14 sentences)

• Summary (what was it about? what  was the message?)
• Support from the text (paraphrase or quote w/acknowledgement)
• Explain the first piece of support
• Another piece of support from the text (paraphrase, quote w/acknowledgement) or Make a connection to another article, poem, chapter, short story, television show, film, class, etc.
• Explain the second piece of support or Explain the connection
• Finish with “so what? now what?”

Workshop: Writing Prompts

• Write a brief paragraph that describes your inherited self (think about family traditions, countries of origin, family beliefs, etc)
• How has your upbringing shaped your view of the world, other people, religion, money, relationships, etc?
• Write about an interaction you have had with someone from another culture/country/region/belief system/sexual orientation and how that made you look at yourself or the world differently 

WW: Tips and Tricks

• Opening Paragraph:What do you spend most of your time doing? What does it say about you?

• Writing Tips Article
• Paragraph 1: Which three tips were the most helpful? Explain. 
• Paragraph 2: Which three tips were the least helpful? Explain.
• Paragraph 3: What one tip would you give to help others with their writing? Explain.

WW: Writing Exercises

Try to get as much as you can out of each prompt. If there's one you just can't use, skip it.

• Day 1 Paragraphs
• 10 potential titles for your autobiography/memoir
• Create a character with the personality of someone you adore and the physicality of someone you can't stand
• Write about the most beautiful place you've ever been
• Convince someone to hire you (sell yourself)
• Write about the most important moment in your life so far
• Choose any book in the room and use the first sentence as the beginning of your own one-page story
• Day 2 Paragraphs
• What phrase do other people use that confuses you? Explain.
• What do you want today? Explain.
• Who is your favorite person? Why?
• Pick an event or topic that makes you angry and write about why.
• What event or topic that makes other people angry is totally unimportant? Why?
• Write about your least favorite person without using a name or any identifying terms.
• Day 3 Paragraphs
• Pick an event or topic that makes you angry and write about why.
• What event or topic that makes other people angry is totally unimportant? Why?
• Write about your least favorite person without using a name or any identifying terms
• What song is the perfect theme for your life? Explain.