20 Sep Generations to research:

Generations to research: Select one (1) generation to research.

Generation Z                                                  2001-Present
Millennial s or Generation Y                        1980-2000
Generation X                                                1965-1979
Baby Boomers                                              1946-1964
Silent Generation                                            1925-1945
The Greatest Generation                                1900-1924

General Requirements:

If you fail to meet any of the general guidelines, I will deduct a 10% penalty from your papers final grade for each requirement you fail to meet. You may also lose points in other graded areas. 

1.    Look at the list of the Generations. Go to any reliable website and conduct a quick search over the different generations. You may even want to talk with friends and relatives concerning the generations. Find one generation that interests you. The generation you select will be the topic for this research paper. This is a short essay; therefore, the topic needs to be specific and focused. Only write a research paper over one of the generations.

2.    Once you select your one generation, find an article on a reliable website concerning the one generation you wish to research.  This article  is one of the three (3) required sources that you will use for the research paper.

3.    Your essay may be informative, persuasive, or both, but your purpose must be clear within your thesis statement.

4.    You must use at least three (3) outside sources. These sources must include:

A.    Your original article.
B.    At least one article of academic value from a TCC database.
C.    A valuable source of your choosing.  Consider different types of sources: books, newspapers, magazines, journals, interviews, Internet websites, and films try to investigate sources which will add the most to your paper.

If you use general Internet research as a source, you may use information only from websites which end in:
    .edu (education-based website)
    .org (non-profit organizational website)
    .gov (governmental website)
    .mil (military website)
OR
    a reputable news site such as CNN.com

Any other Internet website must be cleared with me before you can use it. To clear a website with me, you can simply e-mail a link to me and ask if the source is acceptable.

DO NOT use Wikipedia.

You may use more than three (3) sources if you wish.

4.    You must include at least one (1) appropriate direct quotation OR at least one (1) summary or paraphrase from each of your three (3) sources. In other words, you must actually use each of the three (3) sources in your essay in some way.

5.    DO NOT overuse direct quotation. Your paper can contain no more than 10% direct quote. Use summaries and / or paraphrases to bring in all other information.   

Specific Requirements:

1.    You MUST use proper MLA Documentation (including in-text citations and a Works Cited page) for all outside information, regardless of whether that information is quoted, summarized, or paraphrased. Any paper lacking proper documentation for any piece of outside information will be considered plagiarized and will receive a grade of 0.

2.    This is a documented and researched essay; therefore, you must be especially careful to use appropriate academic diction.  Avoid slang, colloquialisms, regional language, clichs, contractions, 2nd person pronouns (you), and unnecessary use of 1st person pronouns (I,me, my, mine, we, us, our).

Length:        Approximately 750 1250 words
Format:        Typewritten
  White Paper
                            Double Spaced
  1 Margins
  12 Point Font: Times New Roman or Arial
                              Page Numbers and Last Name in the Upper Right-hand Corner
Title Centered and Clearly Stated (Be Creative!)
Heading:    Upper Left-Hand Corner of Page 1
            Your Name           
            Kathy Daily
            English 0923Section
Date

Here are a few reminders:

    Construct an interesting and creative introduction. Consider a story to create interest in your topic.
    Create a solid thesis statement which is clearly informative, persuasive, or both. 
    Watch your formality level.
    Consider your transitions carefully.
    Make sure your topic sentences fit with the paragraph which follows.
    Choose your quote(s) and summaries carefully.  Use them only when and where they add to the value of your paper.
    Keep quotations to a minimum 10% of your paper or less.
    Use proper MLA Documentation (including in-text citations and a Works Cited page).
    Construct a clear and interesting conclusion.