On-line Research Writing: English 102
Professor Gary Parks (gparks@shoreline.edu)
Shoreline Community College
Shoreline, WA, USA
Although it is ultimately artificial to divide writing skills into categories,
and the categories blend, for the purposes of discussion we can use the
aspects of development, organization, style/voice, and mechanics
as ways to view and describe the quality of writing. (The latter two
aspects both include elements of documentation.)
Note: as a good starting point for understanding the above
terms as well as the expected entry-level skills for English 102, see the
English 101 criteria rubric. Students are expected
to enter 102 at level 4 or above and to improve during the quarter.
See the four sample essays in Writing Research Papers for examples of effective research papers (note that only the first two of these are documented in Modern Language Association style).
Here is how a top-level English 102 research paper could be described in terms of development, organization, style/voice, and mechanics:
Development: This paper has a clear thesis and keeps its focus throughout. Its points and observations are developed with a variety of concrete details, including specific facts, observations, quotes, incidents, statistics, stories, and so on. The development is appropriate to the paper's audience and purpose. It shows excellent synthesis and coordination of a variety of information sources, including, if possible or applicable, material from books, professional journals, the Internet, databases, personal experience, and field research. The information presented is credible, current, accurate, comprehensive, and clearly relevant to the thesis. The paper's title is interesting and appropriate to the topic.
Organization: The paper is well-organized in a way that makes sense for its audience and purpose. The reader is guided logically through significant points and able to understand how any passage relates to the whole. The arrangement of sub-topics clearly supports and enhances the paper's thesis. Transitions are smooth; the paper's movement between topics is never confusing, abrupt, repetetive, or forced. It has a clear beginning, middle, and end.
Style/Voice: The paper is presented in the student's own academic style appropriate to the audience and purpose. The paper's sentences, phrases, and word choices are clear and engaging. Quotation and paraphrase from sources blend together well. The paper's style and voice remain consistent throughout, and never get "taken over" by the style of source material.
Mechanics: Paper should exhibit complete control of basic conventions such as sentence structure, phrasing, punctuation, and spelling. All material used from sources is cited appropriately with in-text parenthetical citations in current Modern Language Association (MLA) style, and the Works Cited is formatted according to MLA style. The paper is double spaced, has a title, and has your name on it somewhere at the top.
Your goal should be to make your paper fit the above descriptions. Make sure you have read the suggested example essays in WRP as examples.
