ESL 560: YOUR

RESEARCH PAPER
Your research paper should examine a topic in your
field. It needs to have three supporting ideas that
include evidence in the form of summaries and
paraphrases. Each supporting idea needs to use at
least two sources. Summaries and paraphrases written
for homework are to be included in your paper.
Citation style is MLA. Your paper should be a total of 4-7
pages.
1. THESIS STATEMENT
States topic/focus or purpose
States three supporting ideas
Uses formal language
Is grammatically correct

2. SUPPORTING IDEA #1 (1-2 PAGES)

Topic sentence connects to focus and gives supporting idea #1
Evidence is incorporated:
2 summaries and 1 paraphrase

Evidence is sandwiched
Sub topics are clearly stated
Paragraphs (subtopics) are clearly connected
Is grammatically correct and citations are included

3. SUPPORTING IDEA #2 (1-2 PAGES)

Topic sentence connects to focus and
gives supporting idea #2

Evidence is incorporated:
2 summaries and 1 paraphrase

Evidence is sandwiched
Sub topics are clearly stated
Paragraphs (subtopics) are clearly
connected

Is grammatically correct and citations

are included

4. SUPPORTING IDEA #3 (1-2 PAGES)

Topic sentence connects to focus and
gives supporting idea #3

Evidence is incorporated:
2 summaries and 1 paraphrase

Evidence is sandwiched
Sub topics are clearly stated
Paragraphs (subtopics) are clearly
connected

Is grammatically correct and citations

are included.

5. INTRODUCTION, CONCLUSION AND WORKS CITED

Introduction gets readers attention and
builds to thesis statement

Source is used in introduction, ie. quote

Conclusion connects and restates focus
and supporting ideas

Works cited page is formatted correctly

Key dates:
Rough draft of supporting idea #1due class # 10. Bring a paper copy to class.
Rough draft of body (supporting ideas 1-3)due class # 14. Bring a paper copy to class.
Final paper with introduction, conclusion and Works Cited pagedue class # 18.

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