FAQs about the research paper

When is the paper due?
You will hand me your paper at the beginning of class on Wednesday, December 16.

What happens if it's late?
You will lose 10 percent for every day (or part of a day) the paper is late.

• Turn it in between the beginning of class Wednesday and 8:00 am on Thursday - 10% off.
• Turn it in between 8:01 am Thursday and 8:00 am on Friday - 20% off.
• Turn it in between 8:01 am Friday and 3:00 pm on Friday - 30% off.
• If you don't turn it in by 3:00 pm on Friday, you will receive a zero on this 200-point assignment.

For the record, this assignment was given on Wednesday, November 18.

Do we need a Works Cited?
Of course you do. This is a research paper. You were already taught how to do Works Cited (MLA format) in English class, but you may use easybib.com, or you may click here, or review your Bedford Handbook, to refresh your memory. Or, you can see me for help.

Do we need to use parenthetical citations?
Of course you do. This is a research paper. If you are using a direct quote from one of your sources, put it in quotation marks and follow it with the source in parentheses. For a refresher on how to do this, go here or see p. 609 in your Bedford Handbook.

Do we have to have photos with captions, maps, charts, or other illustrations?
Definitely. You want to include material that helps accentuate the written word. Think of how horrible it is to turn the page in your textbook and see nothing but words. Make your paper more interesting and more informative through the use of visuals.

Do we have to use Microsoft Publisher?
It is not required, but many students have told me it is easy to use, and it makes your paper much more attractive looking than using Word. If you decide to use Publisher, you will probably get the best results by choosing Newsletters. There is no penalty if you use Word and paste in your visuals instead of using Publisher. It's up to you.

How many sources do we need?
At least four to merely pass. You really need at least six to eight or more sources (not including photo credits) to write a decent paper of this length.

I don't have a color printer. What do I do?
Put your project on a flash drive, give it to a friend with a color printer and have them print it for you. Or you can email them your paper, but that is a little riskier. I do not recommend waiting until Tuesday night to do this.

Will we have more time in class to work on this?
Negative. This is now officially a homework assignment. Your test on God Grew Tired of Us is on Monday (Section 03) or Tuesday (Sections 01 & 05), and the paper is due Wednesday. Nobody does their best work by waiting until the last minute, so I recommend you git'r'done this weekend.

If you have any other questions, please post them in the comments section below or email me at rschick@johncarroll.org.