Keystone Research Project

English 12: World Perspectives

Ms. Benson

Contents
→Project Overview
→Topic Choice
→Outline Requirement
→APA Document Basics
→Research Paragraphs
→Title Page
→Avoiding Plagiarism
→References
→Introductions and Conclusions
→Abstract
→Formal Writing Rules
→Final Presentation

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 Project Overview

The keystone project is designed to give students the opportunity to engage in the skills
necessary for success in the 21​st​ century. These skills include research, collaboration,
problem solving, strategic reading, creativity, technology, and communication. This
process and product are an integral part of the Minnesota Common Core Standards
designed to prepare students to be both college and workplace ready.

Overall Required Components

·Project Proposal with a Driving Question
·Written Research Component
·Project Presentation and Reflection
*Project completion is required for credit in English 12: World Perspectives.

Specific Written Requirements

5-7 pages of research, plus title page, abstract, and references

APA documentation
1 inch margins
Times font, 12 pt.
Double space
Uploaded to turnitin.com

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 Keystone Topic Choice

The Keystone project should focus on a topic that has both personal meaning and an educational purpose. You
should choose a topic that will challenge, engage, and inspire you. Your creative choice and thought process will
lead you through the process of demonstrating core learning skills of the 21​st​ century.

The only requirements of topic selection are that the topic is legal and appropriate; your parents approve of the
topic, and it is a topic that will challenge you. In addition, this project topic must be new to you. ​You may not
reuse topics from other classes, most notably Communication Arts and English 11.

As you plan your project, please remember that your final product will need documented, credible research that
includes 7 -12 sources. Your project will also include a digital presentation in front of a public audience.

Step 1: BRAINSTORM
Do you have a strong opinion on a current social or political controversy?
Did you read or see a news story recently that has piqued your interest or made you angry or anxious?
Do you have a personal issue, problem, or interest that you would like to know more about?
Do you have a future career path that you’d like to study?

Be aware of overused ideas when deciding a topic. You should avoid topics such as, abortion, gun control, teen
pregnancy, legalization of marijuana, suicide, texting while driving.

Step 2: READ GENERAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Read general articles and websites dedicated to the topic(s) you are considering. Watch a credible documentary
or listen to podcast. A broad summary enables you to get an overview of the topic and see how your idea relates
to broader, narrower, and related issues. It also provides a great source for finding words commonly used to
describe the topic. These keywords may be very useful to your later research.

Step 3: FOCUS ON YOUR TOPIC

Keep it manageable. A topic will be very difficult to research if it is too broad or narrow. Consider limiting broad topics
by geographical area, culture, time frame, discipline, or population group.

Broad Categories to Consider:

• Arts, Media & Entertainment Education• Psychology & Public Service • Engineering & Environmental Science
• Business, Marketing & Sales • Technology

Step 4: SUBMIT YOUR TOPIC FOR APPROVAL

Once you have determined your topic, you need to complete the online Google form to have your topic approved. The
online form will ask you the following questions:
→What is your topic title?
→What driving question(s) will lead you through the topic?
→What is your inspiration behind this topic?

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 Keystone Outline

→ 2- 5 main points are required.

→Main points and supporting details can be written using key words and phrases from your research.

→Main points and supporting details must be cited correctly using APA documentation.

→Each aspect of your main point will begin a new paragraph; thus, this research paper is not a basic five
paragraph essay. It consists of short, but detailed paragraphs.

→Each aspect (paragraph) must contain at least ​TWO different sources​. The more sources, the stronger the
research aspect of the paper.

→Basic documentation using APA style is required. More in-depth APA will be covered at the start of the paper.
(Last name, year)
(“Title,” year)
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

I. Introduction
A. Attention getter – draw in the reader
B. Preview the content of your paper
C. Thesis statement

II. Body
A. MAIN POINT #1
1. One aspect of the first main point ​(Documentation needed)
a. Specific details ​(Documentation needed)
b. Specific details ​(Documentation needed)

2. Second aspect of the first main point ​(Documentation needed)

a. Specific details ​(Documentation needed)
b. Specific details ​(Documentation needed)

3. Third aspect of the first main point ​(Documentation needed)

a. Specific details ​(Documentation needed)
b. Specific details ​(Documentation needed)

B. MAIN POINT #2
1. One aspect of the second main point ​(Documentation needed)
a. Specific details ​(Documentation needed)
b. Specific details (​ Documentation needed)

2. Second aspect of second main point ​(Documentation needed)

a. Specific details ​(Documentation needed)
b. Specific details ​(Documentation needed)

3. Third aspect of second main point ​(Documentation needed)

a. Specific details ​(Documentation needed)
b. Specific details ​(Documentation needed)

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 C. MAIN POINT #3
1. 1. One aspect of the second main point ​(Documentation needed)
c. Specific details ​(Documentation needed)
d. Specific details ​(Documentation needed)

2. Second aspect of second main point ​(Documentation needed)

c. Specific details ​(Documentation needed)
d. Specific details ​(Documentation needed)

​ III. Conclusion (No citations in this paragraph)

A. Briefly restate the main ideas of your paper
B. Leave the reader with something to think about – a great clincher!

Topic: Cell Phones and Cancer ​(Student Example)

I. Introduction
A. A small, ubiquitous handheld device could be the cause of one’s downfall.
B. Although the government denies any substantial link between cell phones and cancer, studies in
rats have shown that radiofrequency radiation can cause certain types of cancers.
C. Whether a real risk is present or not, cancer prevention methods can help reduce the potential
damages from bodily contact with cell phones.

II. Body
A. Possible links between cell phones and cancer
1. Cell Phone antennas and radiofrequency radiation (“Causes of cancer,” 2019)
a. Non-ionizing radiation that has not consistently been shown to cause cancer (“Causes of
cancer,” 2019)
b. Studies not consistent (“Causes of cancer,” 2019).
c. 20 year study that utilized 420,000 cell phones (Creagan, 2018)
i. No association with brain tumors (Creagan, 2018)
ii. Improved diagnosing (Creagan, 2018)

2. Study with male rats (Schmidt, 2018)

a. Radiofrequency radiation and increase in cancer in Schwann cells (Schmidt, 2018)
b. Schwann cells and the myelin sheaths of neurons (Schmidt, 2018)
c. Scientists still reluctant to apply it to humans (“Causes of cancer,” 2019).
d. The rats also had higher levels of lymphoma in the prostate, skin, lungs, and more.
However, the rats also lived longer than their non-radiation treated counterparts (Schmidt,
2018)

3. Cell phones and brain tumor studies (Melnick, 2018)

a. Dose-response links (Melnick, 2018)
b. World Health Organization statement: cell phones are potentially carcinogenic to humans
(“Cell phones,” 2019).

B. Government involvement
1. Government organizations disagree with stricter standards (“FDA standards,” 2017)
a. Jeffrey Shuren, a director at the FDA, no stricker requirements (“FDA standards,” 2017)
b. Absorption rate in studies (Melnick, 2018).
c. Increase in body temperature and tissue damage (“FDA standards,” 2017).

2. Cell phone wireless service providers and their suppressed studies (Hertsgaard, 2018).
a. Techniques similar to tobacco companies (Hertsgaard, 2018).
b. 5G technology and more concerns (Puzzanghera, 2016)

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 C. Preventing harmful physiological effects
1. Li​miting contact with cell phones is an immediate fix (Creagan, 2018)
a. Use speaker mode or headphones(Creagan, 2018).
b. Store phone away from body, like purse or backpack (“Medline plus,” 2019).

2. Eliminate usage of wireless technology (Ehtrust, 2019)

a. Use a corded landline (Ehtrust, 2019)
b. Change to a 2G or lower frequency wireless service (D’Silva, 2017).

III. Conclusion (No citations in this paragraph)

A. Some studies have shown an association between cell phones and cancer, but the government
denies these links and does not feel the need to increase safety standards. However, if concerned
about the risks, anyone can take precautions to reduce exposure to radiofrequency radiation.
B. If a substantial link is shown between cell phones and cancer in the future, cell phone users will
face the dilemma of using amazing technology that poses a health hazard. The choice won’t be
easy.

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 APA Citations
(A Basic Overview)

When using APA format, follow the author-date method of in-text citation. This means that the author's
last name and the year of publication for the source should appear in the text, for example, (Jones,
2017), and a complete reference should appear in the reference list at the end of the paper.

If you are referring to an idea from another work but ​NOT​ directly quoting the material, or making
reference to an entire book, article or other work, you only have to make reference to the author and
year of publication and not the page number in your in-text reference. ​All sources that are cited in the
text must appear in the reference list at the end of the paper.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Internal Citations & Structure:

Use paraphrasing unless you absolutely need the unique phrasing—then use a direct quote.

Paraphrasing:

Option 1​: State the information, and then include the author’s last name and copyright date at the end.

Example: Reports show that crime has been increasing over the last 25 years (Smith, 2018).

Option 2​: Include the author’s last name and the copyright year (in parenthesis) and then lead into the
information.

Example: Smith (2018) reported that …

In-Text Documentation Tips

● If you refer to publications with no author given, include the first 1-3 key words from the title
instead of a name. ​If no date is supplied, then type n.d. instead.

“Homes with absent fathers cost taxpayers $99.8 billion per year”
("Homes With Absent Fathers," n.d., para. 2).

● Multiple Works Contributing to an Idea: Smith (2016) and Johnson (2017) both state that…
or (Smith 2016; Johnson 2017)
● If “Anonymous” is stated as the author, then use that actual word.
● If there are 3-5 authors, list all last names the first time used in the paper—for each additional
time cited, use the last name of the first author listed, and then the abbreviation “et al.” For
6+ authors, onely list the first author, followed by “et al.”

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Direct Quotes:

Option 1​: Include the author’s last name and the copyright year (in parenthesis) and then lead into the
direct quote. After the quote include the page number (p.), page numbers (pp.), or paragraph number
(para.) in parenthesis.

Example: Smith (2016) reported that “Minnesota crime has increased 11% since 2010”
(para. 5).

Option 2​: State the information, and then include the author’s last name, copyright date, and page(s)
at the end.

Example: “Reports show that crime has been increasing over the last 25 years”
(Smith, 2016, pp.3-4).

Option 3​: Include the author’s last name and the copyright year and date (in parenthesis) and
then lead into the direct quote.

Example: Smith (2016, para. 5) reported that “Minnesota crime has increased 11% since 2002.”

Direct Quote Tips

● Choose quotations carefully, keep them as brief as possible, and use them only when they are
necessary.
● When you quote material directly, be sure that the capitalization, punctuation, and spelling are
the same as the original work. If there are errors, follow them with [sic].
● If you want to leave out part of the quote, use an ellipsis to signify the omission. An ellipsis is
3 periods with a space before and after each one . . .

In-text citation capitalization, quotes, and italics/underlining

● Always capitalize proper nouns, including author names and initials: D. Jones.
● If you refer to the title of a source within your paper, capitalize all words that are four letters
long or greater within the title of a source: ​Permanence and Change.​ Exceptions apply to short
words that are verbs, nouns, pronouns, adjectives, and adverbs: ​Writing New Media​, ​There is
Nothing Left to Lose​.
(​Note:​ in your References list, only the first word of a title will be capitalized:
​Writing new media​.)
● When capitalizing titles, capitalize both words in a hyphenated compound word: ​Natural-Born
Cyborgs.​
● Capitalize the first word after a dash or colon: "Defining Film Rhetoric: The Case of Hitchcock's
Vertigo."
● Italicize the titles of longer works such as books, edited collections, movies, television series,
documentaries, video games, or albums: ​The Closing of the American Mind;​ ​The Wizard of Oz​;
Friends​.
● Put quotation marks around the titles of shorter works such as journal articles, articles from
edited collections, television series episodes, and song titles: "Multimedia Narration:
Constructing Possible Worlds;" "The One Where Chandler Can't Cry."

Source: Purdue Online Writing Lab, 2019

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 Research Paragraphs Using APA Citations:
Student Examples
When looking at the student writing examples below, please note the following expectations when organizing
your formal research paragraphs.

1. Body paragraphs in research papers are short and concise.They consist of a single unit of thought. Avoid
lengthy paragraphs, especially when your information is heavy with numbers, dates, and stats.
2. With the exception of transitions and topic sentences, ALL sentences should be cited!
3. Each body paragraph must include at least TWO different sources.
4. Only three sentences in a row from a single source is allowed with this paper. Diversify your research!

Student Examples:
​ Human trafficking accounts for approximately thirty-two billion dollars worth of business. Even though many

people say human life is priceless, the average cost of a slave is ninety dollars (“Dosomething Today,” n.d.).

Human trafficking is the third largest profit illegal business, just behind drugs and illegal weapons (Sabyan,

Smith, & Tanneeru, 2017). Over their time in captivity, the average sex slave in Los Angeles will earn forty-nine

thousand dollars (Hardy, 2015).

Cyber bullying can occur on several mediums over the Internet, including e-mails, social media sites, and

text messages (Clarion University, n.d.). Teenagers and younger children are more likely to see this kind of

cruelty over the Internet, but it is not limited to just them. Adults as well may be involved with or witness online

bullying (“Bullies Today,” 2016). Research studies done say that around “88% of social media-using teens have

witnessed other people be mean or cruel on social network sites” (Lenhart, 2016, para. 7).

Sports teams are making enough money to pay their athletes. 24 million people participated in making a

March Madness bracket last year. People spent 2.6 billion dollars on college athletes to see who would win the

tournament(Shelton, 2015). The College Athletics Governing Body will earn around $900 million in revenue from

the tournament, representing about 90 percent of its annual revenue. The college’s split a high percentage of the

$900 million and spread it through the athletics and the coaches, but the players get none of it (Blumenthal,

2018)

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 APA Title Page

Your title page must include all formal components:

1. Page Header: This should be at the top of every page starting with the title page. Type the
TITLE OF YOUR PAPER using all capital letters and place in the upper right corner. This is
typically a shortened version of your paper’s full title and should only include three or less key
words OR cannot exceed 50 characters including spacing and punctuation.
2. Page Number:The page number should be typed right after your header.
3. Title: ​Type your title in upper and lowercase letters centered in the upper half of the page. APA
recommends that your title be no more than 12 words in length and that it should not contain
abbreviations or words that serve no purpose. Your title may take up one or two lines. All text on
the title page, and throughout your paper, should be double-spaced.
4. Author’s Name: Beneath the title, type the author's name: first name, middle initial(s), and last
name.
5. Institutional Affiliation: Beneath the author's name, type the institutional affiliation, which
should indicate the location where the author(s) conducted the research
6. Author Note: Type your author’s note at the far bottom of your title page. It should begin with
This paper was prepared for English 12, taught by Terri Benson. The author wishes to
thank ______________________________________________________________.

CANCER AND CELL PHONES 1

Cancer By A New Culprit: Cell Phones

Samuel L. Watts

Sartell High School

Author Note:

This paper was prepared for English 12, taught by

Terri Benson. The author wishes to thank his parents
for his cell phone access and researchers on their dangers.

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11
 Plagiarism: How to Avoid the Trouble It Causes

Citing quotations and borrowed ideas

When you cite sources, you give credit to writers from whom you’ve borrowed words and ideas. You must cite
everything you borrow from a source, including direct quotations; statistics and other specific facts; visuals such as
cartoons, graphs, and diagrams; and any ideas you present in summary of a paraphrase.

Enclosing borrowed language in quotation marks

To show that you are using a source’s exact phrases or sentences, you must enclose them in quotation marks. To
omit the quotation marks is to claim -falsely- that the language is your own. Such an omission is plagiarism even if you
have cited the source.

Putting summaries and paraphrases in your own words

A summary condenses information; a paraphrase conveys information in about the same number of words as in the
original source. When you summarize or paraphrase, you must name the source and restate the source’s meeting in
your own words.
*****************************************************
Original Source
In an effort to seek the causes of this disturbing trend, experts have pointed to a range of important potential
contributors to the rise in childhood obesity that are unrelated to media.
- Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, “The Role of Media Childhood Obesity” (2004), p.1

Plagiarism
According to the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation (2004), experts have indicated a range of significant potential
contributors to the rise in childhood obesity that are not linked to media (p.1).

According to the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation (2004), experts have identified a variety of significant factors
causing a rise in childhood obesity, factors that are not linked to the media (p.1).

Correct Borrowed Language & Content

According to the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation (2004), “experts have pointed to a range of important potential
contributors to the rise in childhood obesity that are unrelated to media”(p.1).

A report by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation (2004) described sources other than media for the childhood
society obesity crisis (p.1).

*Source: APA Manual, 6th edition

All final papers must be uploaded to ​www.turnitin.com​ to check against plagiarism. Papers that contained
plagiarized portions will be given a zero. Please be cautious!

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 APA Reference Page

● Center the word References at the top of the page. Use 12pt. Font, no italics or underlining.
● Double space throughout the entire page. There are NO EXTRA SPACES between sources.
● All lines after the first line of each entry in your reference list should be indented one-half inch from the left margin. This
is called ​hanging indentation.
● Authors' names are inverted (last name, first initial); give the last name and initials for all authors of a particular work for
up to and including seven authors. If the work has more than seven authors, list the first six authors and then use ellipses
after the sixth author's name. After the ellipses, list the last author's name of the work.
● Reference list entries should be ​alphabetized​ by the last name of the first author of each work.
● “Pants and Shirt” must match! Your in-text citations must provide an identical match to the Reference page or
they will not be acknowledged. When using online citation tools, like Citation Machine, you MUST double check
that your References match the exact words in the text of your paper.
● When referring to books, chapters, articles, or web pages, capitalize only the first letter of the first word of a title and
subtitle, the first word after a colon or a dash in the title, and proper nouns. Do not capitalize the first letter of the second
word in a hyphenated compound word.
● Italicize​ titles of longer works such as books and magazines.
● Do not italicize, underline, or put quotes around the titles of shorter works such as journal articles or essays in edited
collections.
● Need Help?​ ​https://owl.english.purdue.edu

*****************************************************
References

10 tips to reduce cell phone radiation. (2019). Retrieved from https://ehtrust.org/take-

action /educate-yourself/10-things-you-can-do-to-reduce-the-cancer-

risk -from-cell-phones/.

Cellular phones. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/

radiation -exposure/cellular-phones.html.

Do cell phones cause cancer? (2018). Retrieved from https://www.roswellpark.org/cancertalk

/201803/do-cell-phones-cause-cancer.

Edward T. Creagan, M. D. (n.d.). Is there a connection between cellphones

and cancer? Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/

expert -answers/cell-phones-and-cancer/faq-20057798.

Hertsgaard, M., & Dowie, M. (2018). The inconvenient truth about cancer and

mobile phones. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018

/jul/14 /mobile-phones- cancer-inconvenient-truths.

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. (2019). Do Cell Phones Cause Cancer?

Retrieved from https://www.mskcc.org/blog/do-cell-phones- cause.

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Schmidt, C. (2018, March 29). New Studies Link Cell Phone Radiation with Cancer. Retrieved

from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/new-studies-link-cell-phone-radiation

-with-cancer/.

Sheppard, K. (2017, June 25). Is the FCC Downplaying Potential Risks from Cell

Phone Radiation? Retrieved from https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2011/06/

fcc- downplaying- potential-risks-cell-phone-radiation/.

Cell phones, through additional research, could be tagged as a cause of increased cancer in humans. From a

study done on male rats, scientists have shown that radiofrequency radiation causes an increase in various forms of

cancer. Male rats were dosed with nine hours of 2G and 3G level radiofrequency radiation daily (in 10 minute on-off

intervals) for two years (Hertsgaard & Dowie, 2018). The study cited cancer in the rats’ Schwann cells - which make

up the myelin sheaths of neurons - and numerous other non-cancerous effects. Additionally, the rats also had

augmented levels of lymphoma in the prostate, skin, lungs, and more (Schmidt, 2018). These results show

radiofrequency radiation to have carcinogenic effects in male rats. Nonetheless, because these studies were done solely

on male rats, health officials and scientists are reluctant to apply the findings to humans (“Do cellphones cause

cancer”?, 2018).

More drastic measures for those who desire to act proactively include lessening or eliminating the usage of

wireless technology. A corded landline uses a cable to attach to municipal phone lines and avoids wireless

communication with a cell phone tower. Using a corded landline will prevent any radiation acquired from wireless

service (“10 Tips To Reduce”, 2019). Furthermore, people may choose to downgrade to 2G or a lower frequency

wireless service. Studies have shown that more bandwidth results in a higher exposure to radiation (Creagan, 2017).

Thus, implementing a wireless service with lower speeds and bandwidth will result in decreased radiation exposure.

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 Writing an Introduction & Conclusion

You want to start your paper with a strong introduction; therefore, it’s important to take the time to do
this correctly. The introduction serves multiple purposes. It presents the background to your study,
introduces your topic and aims, and gives an overview of the paper. A good introduction will provide a
solid foundation and encourage readers to continue on to the main parts of your paper.

Consider thinking about your introduction as a funnel. You start with a universal attention getter. Next
you add some background information/insight, and finally you bridge into a strong thesis. Typically,
your thesis is the LAST sentence in your introduction and is a single sentence.

Your conclusion can be written with the same format, except in reverse order. Start at the bottom of
the funnel by rewording your thesis, acknowledging your background information/main points, and
ending with a strong line that may/may not directly reference your opening line.

Tips:
Do not use “In this paper” or “In the following paragraphs.
No first & second person pronouns
Avoid simple questions.

Student Example:
A small, ubiquitous, handheld device could be the next leading source of cancer in humans. This device, a product of
the digital age, is something most people in the developed and even developing worlds cannot forgo: the cell phone.
Although the government denies any substantial link between cell phones and cancer, studies have revealed that
radiofrequency radiation can cause certain types of abnormal growths and tumors. Whether a real risk is present or
not, implementing cancer prevention methods can help reduce the potential damages from bodily contact with cell
phones and wireless airwaves. Cell phones, through additional research, could be tagged as a cause of increased
cancer in humans.

Sources: thelearningcafe.org, thinkscience.co,

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 Writing an Abstract

An abstract is a short description of your paper that will overview your main main points. Keep the following elements
in mind as you craft your abstract.

-​Reason for writing:​ What is the importance of the research? Why would a reader be interested in the larger work?
-​Problem:​ What problem does this work attempt to solve? What is the scope of the project? What is the main
argument/thesis/claim?
-​Implications:​ What changes should be implemented as a result of the findings of the work? How does this work add
to the body of knowledge on the topic?

Your abstract should be a single paragraph, double-spaced. It should be approximately 150 and 250 words. Begin on
page 2. On the first line of the abstract page, center the word “Abstract” (no bold, formatting, italics, underlining, or
quotation marks). Beginning your abstract on the next line. (Do not indent.)

*****************************************************

Abstract

While smoking and obesity are proven sources of cancer, new scientific evidence has the potential to thrust cell

phones into the same list of carcinogenic substances. Studies done on male rats have shown the detrimental effects

of cell phone radiation. They display cancer in certain cells of the rats’ bodies as a result of the radiofrequency

radiation employed in cell phones. Although the heating effects of radiofrequency radiation are known to scientists,

cancerous effects are freshly chartered territory. However, the government and cell phone companies soften the threat

these studies show and continue to tout cell phones as safe for consumers. They decry calls for increased regulations

and cast aside the studies as irrelevant and inapplicable to humans. As technology becomes increasingly

interconnected through airwaves with the unveil of 5G speeds, the need for a concrete conclusion on the safety of cell

phones becomes increasingly prevalent. Despite the uncertainty on the issue, consumers can take various

approaches to protect themselves and decrease their radiation exposure.

Source: Purdue Online Writing Lab, 2019

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 Formal Writing Rules

● Do not use first-person pronouns ("I," "me," "my," "we," "us," etc.).
● Avoid addressing readers as "you." Do not use any form of you in your paper. (you’ll, your, you’re)
● Avoid the use of contractions. (use cannot, not can’t)
● Avoid slang expressions.
● Avoid abbreviated versions of words.
● Avoid the overuse of short and simple sentences.
● Avoid generalized words like “things,” “stuff,” “very,” “many,” “a lot.”
*****************************************************

FINAL EDIT CHECKLIST

The Paper
Is the topic clear, organized, and intriguing?
___The introduction pulls me in and makes me want to read more
___ The thesis is strong and clear (last line in introduction)
___ Paragraphs are developed well with clear support
___“I” statements are removed to sound stronger
___Transitions between main/sub points make for smooth reading
Use of Sources in the Paper
Are sources incorporated smoothly and accurately?
___Documentation is present in every paragraph
___There are two (or more) sources in every paragraph
___There are no more than three lines in a row per source
___All sources listed on the Reference page are used in the text.
___All quoted, paraphrased, and summarized material gives credit to the source through in-text citations
(See APA requirements)
___Direct quotes are set up effectively (See APA requirements)
___What appears in parenthetical citations matches the first part of the entry on the Reference page
(Pants & Shirt!)
Editing
Is the writing clear and free of errors?
___There are ​no​ references to intentions or the structure of this paper
(“In this essay….” “This paper will prove”)
___Spelling is correct (watch for homonyms that spell check can’t catch)
___Comma splices, run-on sentences, and fragments are not present
___Commas, semicolons, and colons are used properly
___No contractions and informal/slang present
___No first person pronouns
Reference Page
Is it formatted properly?
___Double spaced throughout with no extra spaces between entries
___References appears at the top of the page
___Lines after the first are properly indented (hanging indents)
___Entries are alphabetized
___Seven (or more) sources are listed
___Each citation is formatted correctly (APA)
Format of the Paper
Is the paper in proper form?
___Paper is five-seven pages(NOT including title pg., abstract, references)
___Title page format is correct (title, name, school)
___Abstract effectively overviews the paper
​Pages are numbered with a header (in caps) in upper right corner

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 Final Presentation Requirements

After weeks of study and research, you are now an expert on your topic. It’s time to share this knowledge with your
peers. You should consider these tips:

1. Show your passion! Your message should intrigue your audience. Perhaps they will ask to read your
research!
2. Connect with your audience and use digital techniques that will peak their interest.
3. Keep it Simple: Concentrate on your main points/message. It’s more like a commercial for your paper.
4. Start Strongly. A good introduction will set the stage for your presentation.

Your presentation should be between 1-3 minutes in length. It must be centered around a digital platform. You can
use any digital platform that works for your topic, just remember to impress! Imagine walking into a boardroom and
giving your presentation in hopes for a job promotion or advancement. You don’t want to do what every other applicant
will be doing! You want to stand alone and leave your audience in awe.

FINAL RUBRIC

Digital Showcase (40)

The digital showcase is a creative overview of the research topic.

Personal Abstract (10)

The author states a personal reason for choosing this topic and
gives an overview of its purpose.

Overall Presentation/Project (10)

The author’s passion for the topic is obvious and he/she presents
a clear and informative message centered on the research theme.

Final Written Research Paper Edits (15)

The final research paper is free of grammatical, APA, and stylistic
errors.

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