Research Paper

Cougar Challenge Research Paper Requirements

1. Write a 10-page minimum research paper that uses one of these forms of persuasion:
  1. Evaluate/judge
  2. Pose a problem and propose a solution
  3. Take a stand
  4. Seek common ground
2. Use MLA format. See owl.english.purdue.edu for guidelines and examples.

3. Use in-text citations to credit your sources of information; to neglect this is to commit plagiarism.

4. You must have at least 12 sources of information.
  1. half of your sources must be PRINT (books, periodicals)
  2. on-line sources MUST be valid academic research sources (no blogs, etc.)
  3. beware of .com and .org sites due to potential bias
  4. if you have a Redding Library card you will have access to databases
5. Topic selection is crucial.
  1. Choose a topic of interest
  2. Start with a broad topic and narrow the focus

    1. Example: Broad topic: Education (too large for a 10 page paper)
    2. More specific: Education reform (still too large)
    3. Very specific: Evaluate the “No Child Left Behind” Act and its impact on education (this is feasible for a 10-page paper; there are multiple opinions, lots of sources, and you could write a paper with a “win-able” position on this topic.)

6. Writing a strong thesis will make writing the paper easier. See the Purdue site and your English teacher for assistance with this important step.

7. DO NOT PROCRASTINATE ON THIS ASSIGNMENT.

8. FIRST DRAFT DUE WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2008, IN ENGLISH

9. FINAL DRAFT DUE WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2008, IN ECON/GOV.

10. IF YOU HAVE DIFFICULTY, GET HELP EARLY AND OFTEN.

SENIORS WHO CHEAT/PLAGIARIZE THEIR COUGAR CHALLENGE RESEARCH PAPER OR PRESENTATION ARE AUTOMATICALLY DISQUALIFIED FROM GRADUATION CERMONIES. They may, however, give the presentation for points if needed to pass English.