Caguas Educational Region

Guayama School District

Dr. Rafael Lpez Landrn High School

Project #2: Research Paper

Student Name: _________________________________________ Date: ____________ Group: _____
Ms. Meyers
English 11
Annotated Bibliography or Source Cards with annotations

Due date: Friday, March 13th

What is an annotated bibliography?

A bibliography is a list of the sources you have used for your research on a topic. It includes the
bibliographic informationthe author, the title, and the publication information. An annotation is a
summary of the source and an evaluation of the source. Source cards are index cards on which you put all
of the information you will need about all the sources you use.

How do I summarize a source?

If someone asked you what your research source was about, what would you say? Write 1 or 2 sentences
that explains the main ideas of the article, book, picture, or other information source.

How do I evaluate a source?

If someone asked you how useful your research source was, what would you say? Answer any of these
questions in 1 or 2 sentences: Is the source unbiased? Is the source authoritative? Is the source up-to-date?
Is the source reliable? Is the source an opinion or does it present facts? Is the source appropriate for my
research?
Your annotated bibliography or source card with annotations should follow APA or MLA style citations.

Criteria of Evaluation
CATEGORY

Requirements

{8} Exceeds
expectations
All sources are relevant
to the topic of the
research.
All sources are from
credible, scholarly
materials.
Summary and/or
evaluation of source
provide clear insight into
source material.
Proper MLA or APA
style citation used. 3
sources used or more.

Language
Conventions

No grammatical,
punctuation, and spelling
errors.

Source
Selection
Credibility
Annotations

{7-6} Meets
expectations
Most sources are
relevant. May require
different source.
Most sources are from
credible, scholarly
materials.
Summary and/or
evaluation of source
are appropriate.

{5 or less} Needs
Improvement
Most sources are not
relevant. Requires additional
sources and/or research.
Sources lack credibility.

Most citations use

proper MLA or APA
style. At least 3
sources used.
Occasional errors in
grammar, punctuation,
and spelling.

Some or all of the citations

are not in MLA or APA
style. Less than 3 sources
used.
Significant errors in
grammar, punctuation, and
spelling.

Score

Summary and/or evaluation

lack insight or are
nonexistent.

Total:

/40

Sources: Research Paper Survival Guide, Prentice Hall: Writing and Grammar Teachers Edition, and Prentice Hall: Writing for the Real World.

Caguas Educational Region

Guayama School District
Dr. Rafael Lpez Landrn High School

Student Name: _________________________________________ Date: ____________ Group: _____

Introductory Paragraph with Thesis Statement

Due date: Thursday, March 19th

The introduction is the first paragraph of a research paper. The opening sentence of your introductory
paragraph should try to catch the attention and interest of the reader. This introductory paragraph
contains all the main points you want to make. Each of these main points will be elaborated and discussed
in the body of your paper. After this, your introduction should build up to a thesis statement.
A thesis statement is a declarative sentence about the central purpose of your research paper. A thesis
has a premise and a conclusion. A thesis is not a statement of fact. Rather, it is a position supported by
argument and evidence. You may revise your thesis anytime during the research process.

Criteria of Evaluation
CATEGORY

Scope

{8} Exceeds
expectations
A declarative sentence
states clearly and
concisely states the main
point of the research
paper.
Scope of thesis is narrow
and well-defined.

Effectiveness

Proposes an idea that is

both supportable and
arguable.

Declarative
Sentence

Support
Language
Conventions

The thesis statement has

three strong points that
directly support the
argument or stance.
No grammatical,
punctuation, and spelling
errors.

{7-6} Meets
expectations
A declarative sentence
states the main point but
it is a bit vague or does
not make a concrete
point.
Scope of thesis is
somewhat broad or
narrow but defined.
Proposes an idea that is
supportable but needs a
clearer stance.
The thesis statement has
three points intended for
support, though not all of
them are entirely
relevant.
Occasional errors in
grammar, punctuation,
and spelling.

{5 or less} Needs
Improvement
No declarative sentence,
statement does not name
the topic and/or does not
establish the point of the
essay.
Scope of thesis is
excessively broad or
narrow or inappropriate.
Thesis is missing,
unrelated to the topic, or
cannot be supported or
argued.
Thesis statement has little
or no support of the
argument or stance. Needs
to be revised.

Score

Significant errors in
grammar, punctuation, and
spelling.

Total:

/40

Sources: Research Paper Survival Guide, Prentice Hall: Writing and Grammar Teachers Edition, and Prentice Hall: Writing for the Real World.

Caguas Educational Region

Guayama School District
Dr. Rafael Lpez Landrn High School

Student Name: _________________________________________ Date: ____________ Group: _____

Research Paper

A research paper presents and interprets information gathered through the deep study of a
subject. An effective research report has:
a clearly stated thesis statement.
factual information from a variety of primary and secondary sources.
a clear organization that includes an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.
a bibliography, or works cited page, which provides a list of the places where you took
ideas, quotations, and information for your paper.
Requirements:
1. Use at least 3 sources (at least one primary and one secondary).
2. Final draft (research paper to be handed-in) should be:
Typed (written on a computer and printed out)
Double-spaced (line spacing 2.0)
12-pt font size
Neutral font face (Times New Roman, Calibri, or Thorndale)
Word count: 400 words to a maximum of 500 words (2 pages max.)
3. Use MLA or APA style guidelines.
4. Include a works cited page or bibliography (page 3).
Use the Big 6 Skills to help you complete your research project.
1. Task definition
2. Information Seeking Strategies
3. Location and Access
4. Use of Information
5. Synthesis (Putting it all together)
6. Evaluation

Teacher interview with completed draft: Tuesday, March 24th, 2015

Oral presentations and final draft: Monday, March 30th, 2015
Any of the following may result in a lowered grade or failure of Project #2: Research
Paper: source cards or annotated bibliography not handed in; thesis statement and/or draft not approved
by teacher; research papers with no bibliography or works cited page; research papers that are
intentionally copied by another student; two or more identical or similar research papers; research papers
that are unintentionally plagiarized and are not revised nor corrected; any form of cheating, plagiarism, or
falsification of your research paper will be subject to an automatic failure.

Total possible points of Project #2: Research Paper: 180

Sources: Research Paper Survival Guide, Prentice Hall: Writing and Grammar Teachers Edition, and Prentice Hall: Writing for the Real World.

Caguas Educational Region

Guayama School District
Dr. Rafael Lpez Landrn High School

Student Name: __________________________________________________________ Date: ____________________ Group: _________

Ms. Meyers

English 11

Project #2: Research Paper

Criteria
1 Organization

2 Introduction
3 Focus on Topic
4 Conclusion
5 Quality of
Information
6 Sources

7 Oral Report
8 Interview with
Teacher
9 Understanding of
Topic
10 Requirements
8 Capitalization and
Punctuation
9 Grammar and
Spelling
10 Timeliness

Extra Points

Teacher Comments:

(10 Excellent) (9-8 Satisfactory) (7-6 Acceptable)

(5 or less- Needs Improvement)

Possible
Points

Information is very organized with well-constructed paragraphs. All

paragraphs include introductory or topic sentence, explanations, examples,
elaboration, or details, and concluding sentence (SEE Method). Paper also
includes a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
The introduction of the paper includes a thesis statement that names the topic
of the essay and outlines the main points to be discussed.
There is one clear, well-focused topic. Each sentence in a paragraph and each
paragraph supports the main idea of the research paper.
The conclusion logically completes the development of the thesis. The
conclusion is strong and leaves the reader solidly understanding the student's
position on the topic.
Information on the research paper clearly relates to the main topic. It includes
several supporting details and/or examples from the sources used.
All sources used for quotes, paraphrases, opinions, and/or facts are credible
and are accurately documented in the desired format (APA or MLA style
citation). At least 3 sources are included in a works cited or bibliography
page and in the correct format.
Student gives a general overview of his/her research paper in front of the
class. Student speaks loudly and clearly, and the presentation is no more than
2 minutes long.
Student meets with teacher and discusses research paper during the assigned
period and date. Student brings completed draft during interview and revises

10
10
10
10
10
10

10
10

Student shows a full understanding of the topic of their research paper.

Student is able to answer all follow-up questions related to his/her research
paper.
Meets all requirements. Length is 400 to 500 words max (2 pages max.). Uses
font size 12, neutral font face, is doubled spaced, and typed. Includes a
bibliography or works cited page (page 3). Uses MLA or APA style.
Student makes no errors in capitalization or punctuation, so the paper is
exceptionally easy to read. 1/2 point will be deducted for each error.

Varies

Student makes no errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from
the content. 1/2 point will be deducted for each error.

Varies

Student hands in his/her research report in a timely manner. If student has any
inconvenience with the due date, student informs the teacher with at least 2
days in advance of the due date. 5 points will be deducted for each day past
the due date. Exceptions will only be made with a valid excuse.
Student revises his/her research paper and improves it considerably. Student
produces an exceptional research paper with great depth and breadth. Student
demonstrates skillful use of vocabulary, sentence fluency, and grammar
conventions.

Score

10
10

Varies

Up to 10

Total:

/100

Rubric made using the Rubistar.4teachers.org website and the

Writing, Literature, and Research Guides on the Sandhills Community College website.