This project is an academic requirement that will give the student the tools necessary to complete a research project.  Each of the steps has a due date and a specific grade value.  The due dates for each step must be met.  In accordance with the English department policy for long-term projects, if the student is absent on a due date, he/she is responsible for getting the work to school by the time class meets.  There are no excuses or exceptions. 

Also, it is critical that the student be in school for the research paper instruction.  If the student is absent from school or does not understand a step, it is his/her responsibility to do the following: get notes from a classmate and/or from Mr. Pandolfini’s website, check the homework log in class, and if necessary, make an appointment to see the teacher before or after school.  Do not make an appointment on the day that step is due.

This project is challenging and the standards are high, but once it is completed students will have the knowledge to complete a research project, and an advantage at the college level.

REQUIREMENTS:

• All steps are to be typed on 8.5 x 11inch paper in 12 font, Times New Roman, double-spaced, with one inch margins on the top, bottom and sides and MLA heading.
• If handing in more than one page, put last name and page number in the upper right hand corner of each page.
• The final paper will be 7-9 pages and the works cited page.  The paper will include an introduction with thesis statement, body with documentation and parenthetical citations, conclusion, Works Cited page.
• The Works Cited page will use current MLA format with one primary source and 5 secondary sources minimum.  General information encyclopedias will not be counted as a source.
• Complete Working Bibliography with no less than the 10 initial sources.
• Notecards are required according to given format with corresponding numbers for Bibliography and Outline.
• Outline with thesis statement, main supporting ideas and details.
• Specific requirements for each individual assignment will follow.

GRADING:

• Each step is considered a long-term assignment.  It will be marked an automatic F [50] if submitted after the English instructional period it is due or on the next day.  It will lose an additional 10 points for each additional day late.
• If a step is not completed, subsequent steps will not be accepted, and those steps will continue to lose points as their deadlines pass.
• The due date for Step 4 is the halfway point of the project.  If the first 4 steps are not complete and submitted, the student must, in order to continue, request a meeting with the teacher to conference and evaluate the likelihood of successfully continuing the research paper project.
• The final paper is due in class on the date assigned at the beginning of the English instructional period. 
• Absence on the day of any deadline for any step is no excuse.  Deadlines are absolutely final and inflexible.
• Lateness grading:

Same day any time after class or next day=F (50)

2 days after due date=F- (40)                     3 days after due date=F- (30)

4 days after due date=F- (20)                     5 days after due date=F- (10)

6 days after due date=credit for step but no points (0)

RESEARCH PAPER PROCESS:

·         Step 1-Topic Proposal and Preliminary Thesis Statement: Topic of paper, which cannot change once chosen, and guiding thesis, which may be revised along the way.

·         Step 2- Revised Thesis Statement and Preliminary Outline: Should follow outline format.          

·         Step 3-Preliminary Works Cited: 10 sources + primary in MLA format, completed after reading and research.                                                                                        

·         Step 4-Note Card check      

·         Step 5-Revised Outline and final Thesis Statement                                               

·         Step 6-Final Note Cards: with outline and bibliography numbers.                         

·         Step 7-Complete First Draft: with all documentation and parenthetical citations for peer editing.               

·         Step 8-Final Paper: All corrected steps must be resubmitted and chronologically organized in a manila envelope with MLA heading in the upper left corner of the folder.                                                                            

Note: Students will receive due dates for these steps in class; the deadlines are absolutely final and nonnegotiable and may only be changed by Mr. Pandolfini.  Parents will not be notified of the change, but if there are any questions, feel free to call.

Evaluation:

Step 1 is worth two quiz grades

Steps 2, 3, and 4 are worth four quiz grades (one test grade)

Steps 5, 6, and 7 are worth three quiz grades

Step 8, the final paper, is worth three test grades and will be broken down in the following manner:

·         Content: Support of thesis statement, clarity of ideas, strength of argument. 

      1test grade.

·         Format: MLA format, margins, double spacing, 7-page minimum, 3 sources.   

1 test grade.

·         Mechanics: Spelling, grammar, and punctuation. 1 test grade.

A final note to students and their parents:

   Students in a college preparatory class indicate by their presence that they will be continuing their education at a four-year college or university.  In order to be successful at that level, said students should be able to successfully complete a major research project.  This is such a project.  In terms of academic requirements, independent effort, and personal initiative this project is representative of the type of work done at the college level; and the maturity and self-discipline required to succeed at that level.  Students will have to complete work in a timely manner with significant penalties for lateness.  They will take primary responsibility for their own success. 

Parent and student signatures:

Please sign below and return to Mr. Pandolfini to indicate your awareness and understanding of the Research Project requirements and deadlines.  A separate copy of this contract is available should you require it.

Parent/Guardian Signature ____________________________________      Date _______