8th Grade Project (31/4 - End of Term Project)

CALENDAR
Due Date          Project Requirements

5/1/13               Thesis Statement (Opening Paragraph)
                         Evidence of preliminary research (2-4 Articles)

5/17/13             Project Research/Evidence (8-10 Articles)
                         Rough Draft of Research Paper

5/31/13             Final Draft of Research Paper (2-3 Pages of Type Minimum)

6/10/13             PowerPoint/Multi-Media Presentations Scheduled to Begin


Project Description

This project is a culmination of all the skills that you have learned this year.  It is designed to incorporate all of your 9th grade subjects: English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Computer Science.

Each of you has already chosen a topic.  Your first job is to write a THESIS STATEMENT (Opening Paragraph).  Your project should address an issue that you are interested in, something you are curious about, but also something that you can reasonably address in a few pages.  You will do research on your own and at school at designated times.  Your teachers are here to help you organize and edit your paper, but the ideas need to come from you.

You will use a minimum of 8-10 references (magazines, newspapers, online articles, chapters from books, etc.).  You will need to show evidence of each source.  The final paper will be two to three (2-3) pages in length.  You will use 12-point font, double-spaced lines with normal margins.  In addition to the body of the paper, you will need a title page and a works cited (reference/bibliography) page.  You will have a THESIS STATEMENT, which will tell the reader what the paper will be about and a conclusion, which will summarize your findings.  These two paragraphs are in your own words.  No citations or quotes in the opening or concluding paragraph.  You may include pictures or graphs but they do not count as part of the 2-3 page minumum.

The other part of the project is a PowerPoint or Multi-Media Presentation.  This will include five to ten (5-10) slides (or equivelant media) that addresses the following points:

1. What was the issue?
2. What important information did you find?
3. What further questions do you have? 

 You will present the PowerPoint/Multi-Media Presentation.  Your grade for the project will be based on the research paper, the PowerPoint/Multi-Media Presentation, and your presentation of the material.

Project Specifics

Your paper must be:

12-Point Font
Times New Roman
Double-Spaced
1" Margins
2 to 3 pages long

A.  Title Page  

1. Title of Paper
2. Name of Student
3. Date of Paper   

B.  Thesis Statement (Opening Paragraph)

1. Tells the reader what the paper will be about in your own words.
2. No Citations.

C.  Body of Paper

1. Minimum of 8 to 10 References
2. 1 or 2 paragraphs for each major point
3. Graphs, pictures, etc. may be included but do not count as part of the 2-3 pages
4. Include information that addresses science, social studies, and math concepts related to your topic

 D.  Conclusion

1. Summarizes your findings in your own words.
2. No Citations

E.  Works Cited Page 

1. Cite all your sources alphabetically by author.  Include name of author, title of piece, source (for example: the title of an article and the magazine it came from), the date of publication.
2. Anything paraphrased in the paper gets cited without page number.
3. Any quotes need to have a page number.

Project - Research Paper Writing Rubric - Grade 8
Score = (Total Points Accumulated)
(4-Excellent;  3-Acceptable;  2-Below Average;  1-Unacceptable) 

A.  Clear, Well Organized, Well Developed Idea  (Score 1-4 points)

• Main Idea (thesis) is clear.
• Each paragraph has a clear topic and concluding sentence.
• Topic sentences in body paragraphs clearly relate to main idea (thesis).
• Supporting details clearly relate to topic sentences.
• Transitions are used.
• Introduction, body, conclusion provide logical sequence of ideas, leading to understandable explanation, instruction,definition, (or other expository content)

B.  Sentence Variation in Paragraphs  (Score 1-4 points)

• Lead sentence captures the reader's attention.
• Introduction participal phrase (Running with great speed, she won...)(Surprised by the party, she...)
• 2 Independent clases separated by a semicolon (Sam won the race; he is an excellent runner)
• Compound sentence. (Marti won the race, and Sam came in third.)
• Appositive phrase. (Marti, the best sprinter on the tam, won...)
• Intro. prepositional phrase.  (With a burst of speed, Sam...)
• Intro. adverb clause. (When Marti won the race, she...)
• Variety of sentence length.

C.  Word Choice and Figurative Language (Score 1-4 points)

• Strong verbs are used:  passive voice and verbs are not overused.
• No vague, overused, repetitive language is used. (a lot, great, very, really, etc.)
• Metaphor.  (Our house is a zoo)
• Simile (Our house is like a circus)
• Personification (The Statue of Liberty whispers a message of hope to new Americans.)

D.  Research Paper Requirements (Score 1-4 points)

• 8-10 or more sources were used; 5-7 sources may be found Online (Internet)
• Bibliography card format is correct.
• Research notes are on notecards or are highlighted (or underlined) on photocopies of source.
• Outline data is logical and clear; outline is in proper form.
• Title page is in proper form.
• Information from bibliography sources is cited properly (all information except "common" or "general" knowledge is cited parenthetically, and all quotations are cited parenthetically.)
• Works Cited page is a list of works cited in the paper;  it is in alphabetical order; 3 or more citations have been made in the body of the paper.
  

 E. Grammar, Usage, Mechanics  (Score 1-4)

• No Run-On Sentences
• No Sentence Fragments
• Subject/Verb Agreement
• Correct Verb Tense Usage
• No Use of Contractions
• Punctuation is Correct
• Capitalization is Correct
• Spelling is Correct

Project - Taking Notes    

As you examine each source, make a separate note of each fact or quotation you might want to use in your paper.  Use index cards when preparing notes.  Be sure to identify the source of the information on the listing (include the author's name and page number on which the information appears).  Try to summarize the information in your own words (paraphrasing);  use quotation marks if you copy the information exactly.  (This rule should apply whether you are copy a great deal of material or only a phrase.)  Give each listing a simple, descriptive heading.

Your listings will now provide you with the authoritative basis for your paper's content and documentation.  By arranging and rearranging the listings and using your descriptive headings, you may well discover a certain order or different categories which will help you prepare an outline. You may also find you need additional information, or that some of the listings may not be appropriate and should be set aside or discarded.  Use your THESIS STATEMENT to help you stay on track, and not to follow research to other topics or discussion that will distract you from your main topic/question.

NOTE CARDS SHOULD CONTAIN THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:

• Descriptive Heading on Top
• Quote, Note, Topic, or Specific Reference
• Source on Bottom with Author, Title, Page Number

Please take your time and make sure you are meeting all the requirements listed above.  This is an important part of the Crossroads Program.  More information will be listed later about the grading rubric for your PowerPoint/Multi-Media Presentation and the Presentation itself.

Good Luck,

-Mr. S