Mediapolis Community School District

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CompositionCareer Research Paper Information

Per the Mediapolis School Board, the career research paper is required to complete the Composition course. Also, per the Mediapolis School Board, Composition is required to graduate from Mediapolis High School.

Students will find themselves with a passing paper by doing the following: completing first quarter successfully; attending class regularly without absences or tardies; keeping up with daily in-class work and completing work outside class as needed; asking for assistance from the class instructor as needed, both during class and outside class; keeping track of materials both in the classroom and out; using a reliable method for storing and transferring computer files; securing access to a reliable printer; and producing a paper that meets all minimum requirements and turning it in on time.

Late papers are not accepted for any reason. This is a long project, about 7 weeks on average. Students who follow the scheduled work requirements--which break this long paper down into very small steps--during that time will find it easier to successfully complete the paper. Failing to correctly complete any portion of the paper, failing to meet the minimum requirements of the paper in total, or failing to submit it on time will result in a failing grade for the paper. The schedule for this project is both generous and rigid. What that means is that students will have ample time to complete the project PROVIDED THEY KEEP UP WITH EACH DUE DATE AND DEADLINE ALONG THE WAY, LIMIT THEIR ABSENCES, AND MAINTAIN CONTROL OVER THEIR WORK.

Research Paper Requirements On a Career Topic

Student’s choice, with teacher approval

Minimum of at least 5 outside sources

may have more
correctly cited and documented
Wikipedia may not be used
Use sources given by instructors

Minimum of 5 bibliography cards

Will need one per source
Use to create works cited page

Minimum of 150 research note cards

one idea on each; front only
signed & approved by instructor
must all be submitted with final paper
staggered due dates
points lost if late

Topics

in order of given outline—all topics are REQUIRED
note cards organized accordingly

Thesis & Blueprint

approved by instructor

Rough Draft of Outline

approved by instructor
use thesis & organized note cards
follow topic order outline
cite sources correctly

Rough Draft

use approved note cards and outline
include preliminary citation
points lost if late

Final Draft

include final title page
include final outline
include final body

*6 pages minimum, 10 maximum

NOT including title page, outline, works cited;*typed, double spaced, no largerthat 12 pt. font, 1" margins

include final works cited page
ALL ROUGH DRAFT MATERIALS AND ALL NOTE CARDS MUST ALSO BE SUBMITTED WITH THE FINAL. FAILURE TO DO SO MAKES THE PAPER INCOMPLETE AND FAILING.

Falsifying ANY ATTEMPT TO FALSIFY OR PURPOSEFULLY DECEIVE WITH ANY PARTS OF THE RESEARCH PAPER WILL RESULT IN A FAILING GRADE FOR THE PAPER.

if you are an A day or a B day student—all Composition papers are due on or before 12/22/11 at 2:30 pm. All material is due by the end of the school day. Final: title page, outline, body, works cited. No binder or report cover is required. Rough: rough outline, rough body, rough works cited, and all 150 notecards separate from the final materials.

LATE PAPERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. TECHNOLOGY PROBLEMS ARE NOT AN EXCUSE. FAILURE TO SUBMIT THE PAPER ON THE DUE DATE WILL RESULT IN A FAILING GRADE FOR THE PAPER AND THE COURSE. A note on note cards and other research paper materials: KEEP THESE IN A SAFE PLACE! Use your locker. LOCK IT. It is your responsibility to maintain control over your materials.


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