How Climate Change Is Affecting Global Vegetation
Research Essay- 20%
Once you have completed your Research Proposal and received feedback from your instructor, you will begin to construct your Research Essay. The research paper must be 4-6 pages double-spaced (does not include Reference List) with 1 inch margins and 12 point font in either Times New Roman or another clear font and it MUST use APA formatting including cover page, in-text citations and reference list. Use at least 3 reliable sources.
Note: You can use or expand on the introduction and thesis you created for your research proposal to construct your essay.
The Research Essay must contain:
- Introduction that includes:
- Clear Opening Statement
- Definition of Key Terms/Concepts
- Background Information
- Thesis Statement [Claim + Warrants]
- At least 3 main body paragraphs that:
- Have clear Topic Sentences
- Use Point Proof or another recognized paragraph structure
- Integrate multiple sources using APA in-text citations
- Analyse the sources and relate them back to your thesis and topic sentences
- Transition between paragraphs
- Conclusion:
- Clear Closing Statement
- Summarizes Main Points and/or Delivers a Call to Action
- Has a clear finishing statement
- APA Formatting
- APA Formatted Cover page
- In-text citations
- APA formatted Reference List
Note: You may use the APA Word template that will be posted through Blackboard.
Research Essay Rubric – 20%
| Category | Level/notes | |
| Support | 4 – Above Standards | |
| A) Essay contains strong, relevant pieces | ||
| of evidence (statistics, quotations, factual | ||
| support) to support thesis | 3 | – Meet Standards |
| B) Support is integrated in a logical way | ||
| through paraphrasing, summarizing and | ||
| quoting relevant information | 2 | – Approaching Standards |
| C) Reliable sources are identified and | ||
| implemented in the essay | ||
| D) Depth of thought/complexity (essay | 1 | – Below Standards |
| connects theories and evidence to | ||
| support thesis) | ||
| Structure | 4 | – Above Standards |
| A) Research essay is clearly organized | ||
| including an introduction, main body | ||
| paragraph, and conclusion | 3 | – Meet Standards |
| B) Introduction has a clear thesis and | ||
| plan of development | ||
| C) Information is organized to convey | 2 | – Approaching Standards |
| thesis in well linked, cohesive paragraphs | ||
| that transition one idea to another | ||
| 1 | – Below Standards | |
| Word Choice | 4 | – Above Standards |
| A) Variety of sentence structure and | ||
| word choice. | ||
| B) Tone is appropriate to purpose and | 3 | – Meet Standards |
| audience | ||
| 2 | – Approaching Standards | |
| 1 | – Below Standards | |
| Grammar | 4 | – Above Standards | |
| A) Grammar does not distract reader | |||
| (punctuation, sentence errors, spelling, | |||
| tenses, pronouns, word form) | |||
| 3 | – Meet Standards | ||
| 2 | – Approaching Standards | ||
| 1 | – Below Standards | ||
| Format | 4 | – Above Standards | |
| A) APA style is utilized throughout the | |||
| essay including: header, spacing, | |||
| indentation, and font | |||
| B) Signal phrases and APA citation (in- | 3 | – Meet Standards | |
| text and external – reference page) are | |||
| utilized properly throughout essay | |||
| 2 | – Approaching Standards | ||
| 1 | – Below Standards | ||
| Research Essay: /20 | |||