Rafik Hariri University

Fall 2013
ENGL210 Marwa Mehio
Research Paper (20%)
Due Dates:

Group Members: Th.10/10

Topic: Th.10/24

Proposal (5%): Th.11/7 The proposal should include the research questions, thesis statement,
and a paragraph describing what you propose to fulfill through the research paper.

Annotated Bibliography and Outline (10%): Thurs.11/28 See below for a description of the
annotated bibliography

Conferences: Th.11/28 sign up beforehand (failure to attend your meeting will result in a zero
on the paper)

Draft of Research Paper: Tue.12/3

Research Paper: Th.12/10 Submit as a hard copy in class and on Turnitin

Description:
A research paper is a culmination and final product of an involved process of research, critical
thinking, source evaluation, organization, and composition. It grows and changes as you explore,
interpret, and evaluate sources related to a specific topic. The research paper serves to further the
field in which it is written. A research paper, however, is NOT simply an informed summary of a
topic by means of primary and secondary sources. It is neither a book report nor an opinion piece
nor an expository essay consisting solely of ones interpretation of a text or an overview of a
certain topic. It requires investigating, evaluating, interpreting, and analyzing sources. The goal
of a research paper is not to inform the reader what others have to say about the topic, but to
draw on what others have to say about a topic and engage the sources in order to thoughtfully
offer a unique perspective on the issue at hand.
General Guidelines

The paper should be submitted as a hard copy in class and as a soft copy on Turnitin. Failure to
do either will result in a zero grade.

The paper will be written in groups of 2.

The topics should be pre-approved by the instructor.

Each stage of the paper is important, and it is up to you to keep track of due dates.

Follow APA guidelines for formatting (see sample paper on Moodle and in course packet).

The paper should be between 9 and 12 pages.

Stages of Writing the Research Paper

Stage 1: Topic and Research: For this paper, you are required to choose your own topic. The
topic needs to be one that is arguable, and one that has not been overdone. To choose your topic,
combine research with the strategies of prewriting discussed. You may have to go back and forth
between strategies and might even research and think about more than one topic before you
decide on one.
Stage 2: Research Questions and Thesis Statement: Your research questions are the questions
you ask before you start to do research, concerning the topic and what you hope the sources will
answer. However, your primary research question will become the one you will answer through
your paper, and your other questions will be answered in the different parts, sections, or stages of
the paper. The thesis statement should reflect the argumentative aspect of the paper, and should
answer the primary research question.
Stage 3: Annotated Bibliography and Outline: The annotated bibliography is the product of
the engaged research you have done. It should include all the sources you wish to use, a
summary of each source, and a few sentences explaining where and how you will use this source.
The outline is the skeleton of your research. You cannot write a paper of this length without a
plan to guide your writing.
Stage 4: Drafting: Give yourself enough time to write the Research Paper because you might
find yourself returning to earlier stages of the process for revision or facing other obstacles.
Structure of the Research Paper: If the Research Paper is missing ANY of these parts,
especially the APA documentation, you will receive a 40.

The Research paper is argumentative; however, it is not an argumentative essay. It is up to you to

decide on the structure and organization of the paper, as long as it proves your point in the end.
The paper, however, should be divided into the following sections (include headings in your
paper):
1. Introduction: (min. 10 lines) Like any introduction, this should act as an opening for the paper. It
should include the problem that prompted you to ask a question, the research question and any
important sub-questions, and the thesis statement.
2. Purpose: In a few sentences, explain the purpose of your paper; i.e. what you plan to achieve and
how you plan to achieve it.
3. Literature Review: (6-7 pages) the review of literature includes an overview of the information
you have researched, and a discussion of how you will add something to the discussion or where
you will intervene. This part should include summaries of the sources as well as discussion and
analysis. The organization of the information in the literature review is up to you. Just make sure
to follow a logical structure by theme, topic, point of view, etc.
After a discussion of each source, explain whether this source gives valuable information or not.
Consider its argument, structure, validity. The last paragraph should sum up these perspectives
and then clarifying your own perspective.
4. Discussion: This is based on your research and your synthesis, analysis, and evaluation of this
information, you will prove your thesis statement. Although it does not need to follow a certain
structure of argumentation, you do need to have a valid point of view. Make sure to discuss your
perspective on the issue, that is, your answer to the research question.
5. Conclusion
6. Reference List (APA style documentation)