English IV Senior Project Expository Research Paper

English IV
Senior Project Expository Research Paper
Before you actually begin your project, you will need to conduct research on various
topics that relate to the project itself and collect and organize these into a coherent
research paper. Although the research paper needs to relate to your project it does not
have to be specifically about your project. For example if you were working with
children in a local hospital and using art as a type of therapy, your paper could be on “art
therapy” or “children’s illnesses” or “community service in hospitals” or another related
topic. This paper will be part of your portfolio and will need to be rewritten until it meets
standard.
Formatting Requirements for Research Paper
12 point font
Standard fonts (Times, Chicago, Helvetica, Geneva, etc.)
Double spaced
1” margins
Last name and page number in header
Heading (Name, Teacher, Class, Date) double spaced, left hand side of paper
Original Title (centered, double spaced after header)
Spell and Grammar check your paper prior to submitting
Minimum 4 complete pages
Maximum 7 complete pages
Content Requirements
Your paper should have an introduction, body paragraphs and a conclusion
Your introduction should end in a thesis statement
Your topic should relate to your project in some obvious way
Works Cited Page Requirements
“Works Cited” typed top of page, centered
Citations alphabetized
Double spaced
1” margins
Last name and page number in header
Same font as rest of paper

Suggested Paper Organization
Introduction Paragraph
• Begin with a quote or story that explains your interest in this subject.
Gradually lead to the topic that is the focus of your research paper. End
paragraph with a clear thesis sentence that makes an important observation about
your research topic. Include an essay map (preview statement) that clarifies the
subtopics that you’ll cover in your paper, and the order in which you’ll address
them.
Body Paragraphs
Conclusion
• Organize your body paragraphs into a small number of subtopics (2-4). Group
all information into those categories, and avoid including random facts don’t fit
into a category.
• Remember to begin each paragraph with a general topic sentence that
introduces the subject for that paragraph.
• End each paragraph with a clincher or summary sentence that wraps up that
topic.
• Cite sources as you go!
• Don’t forget transitions at the beginning of each new paragraph.
• Restate your thesis and review subtopics.
• Reflect on what you’ve learned, and how you might be able to apply this
knowledge to your senior project.
• End with a strong final observation that relates back to your beginning story.