Informative Paper Instructions
For Research Paper 1, ensure to follow the instructions outlined below carefully. Failure to adhere to these guidelines may negatively affect your grade.
1. Type of essay: Informative
2. Topic: Write an Informative Research Paper about:
A current advancement or issue in your field. This may be a new form of technology, device, cure, medication, software, or practice.
3. The specific topic of your paper must be approved; otherwise, it will result in a zero (0) as your grade for this assignment.
4. This paper must be 4 pages long (not including the Works Cited page).
5. Format: MLA
6. The Thesis Statement must be clear, underlined, and at the end of the introductory paragraph. Itmust contain the three (3) points that will be developed in the body paragraphs.
The Thesis Statement’s Key Parts
1. Topic: What the paper is about.
2. Claim or Position: Your specific argument or claim.
3. Three Supporting Points (details) in parallel construction.
Definition
Three Supporting Points are a brief preview of the key ideas you will develop in the body paragraphs.
To ensure clarity and flow, the points must follow parallel construction—the same grammatical form (all nouns, all verbs ending in -ing, all adjectives, or all whole clauses).
Template
Your topic-claim because [supporting point 1], [supporting point 2], and
[supporting point 3].
Example 1
English Composition is essential in an academic career because it strengthens writing skills, develops critical thinking, and improves research abilities.
Example 2
High levels of alcohol consumption have detrimental effects on your personal health, such as weight gain, heart disease, and liver complications.
(point 1) (point 2) (point 3)
7. Documentation: You must use at least six (6) sources from within the last 5-10 years from reliable databases.
ProQuest Central is highly recommended
8. There must be at least 2 in-text citations in each of the body paragraphs.
*Do NOT use Wikipedia, Infoplease, Answers.com, WebMd, Psychology Today as a source.
Use CiteFast to help you build your Works Cited list and properly format your in-text citations.
https://www.citefast.com/?s=MLA#google_vignette
9. Due date: Rough Draft Sunday, May 25, 2025, at 11:59 pm. Final Draft Sunday, June 1, at 11:59 pm.
Due dates are never as far away as they seem
– A friendly reminder to plan and stay on track.
10. Similarity (Originality Report): Up to 20% of similarities will be accepted with no penalty.
**** Papers assisted by any Artificial Intelligence software will not be accepted, and it will be considered an act of academic dishonesty.
How to Avoid Plagiarism 1.Paraphrase properly
Restate information in your own words and sentence structure—and always cite the source.
2. Use quotation marks for direct quotes.
If you use someone’s exact words, enclose them in quotation marks and include an in-text citation.
3. Cite all sources
Give credit for any ideas, data, images, or phrases not your own using MLA, APA, or another required citation style.
4. Do not copy ideas or text directly from Google search results or websites.
Doing so may unintentionally drag invisible formatting or hyperlinks into your document, whichcan trigger plagiarism detection software and result in a high similarity score.
Always rewrite in your own words and cite the original.
11.I recommend that you avoid using Microsoft Word Online, as it may cause issues with MLA formatting and/or uploading your essay to Blackboard. Instead, please use the desktop version of Microsoft Word installed on a computer. Do not use Apple Pages, as they are not compatible with our system.
12. Please, attach your paper by clicking on the Attachment Icon (Paperclip symbol). DO NOT copy and paste your submission or attach it as an external link or document.
13. Failure to follow any of the above instructions will affect the grade for the paper.
14. You must follow MLA format exactly as required; failure to do so will result in an automatic point deduction, as outlined in the grading rubric.
15. You have plenty of time and information to write and submit your essay by the due date, so no excuses will be accepted. Late submissions will receive zero.
16. Do NOT include tables, lists, bullet points, and graphs in your paper.
Be sure to edit your work before submitting it.
I have attached to Weeks 2 and 3 plenty of material/information that will help you write your essay. Below are more tips.
Your essay must begin with a clear and relevant title that reflects the main idea or focus of your essay.
Eliminate anything that distracts from or does not contribute to the central focus.
A strong introduction should begin with a hook to capture the reader’s attention.
It should then be followed by background context, which refers to the information that helps the reader understand the topic, introduce the subject and its relevance, explain any necessary terms, events, or issues, help readers unfamiliar with the topic understand the discussion, andcreate a logical bridge between the hook and the Thesis Statement.
Develop body paragraphs using the MEAL plan, with improved unity, coherence, clear transitions, and strong links at the end of each paragraph.
M – Main Idea (Topic Sentence)
This is the first sentence of your paragraph.
It clearly states the main point that supports your thesis. It should be focused and not too broad.
E – Evidence
This is where you provide proof to support your main idea.
Use facts, statistics, examples, expert opinions, or direct quotes. Always cite your sources (APA, MLA, etc.).
A – Analysis
This explains how or why your evidence supports the main idea. Go beyond juststating facts—interpret or explain their meaning. L – Link
This is the closing sentence of the paragraph.
It should do two things:
Reinforce the paragraph’s main idea.
Transition to the following paragraph or idea (keep the essay flowing).
What to write
Sum up the paragraph’s key point and connect smoothly to your thesis’s next idea or supporting point.
When Moving from One Key Point to the Next
This leads to another important aspect…
In addition to environmental benefits (Body Paragraph 1 ), safety is another critical concern (Body Paragraph 2) …
Finally, write a thoughtful conclusion that restates your thesis in new words, summarizes the mainpoints discussed in the body, and ends with a final thought, reflection, or call to action that leaves the reader with a strong sense of closure.
Works Cite
It is a research paper; you are required to use external, credible sources to support your ideas and add academic credibility to your work.
Use all the resources you have available to complete this assignment. Refer to your textbook andthe chapters assigned for Weeks 1, 2, and 3 for strategies and tips on student writing.