Term Paper Calendar: AP U.S. History and AP English Language

ASSIGNMENT (20% of semester grade): You will choose an influential figure and assert, argue, and prove the following:

·          What shaped your person and his/her essential arguments and actions? (1st movement = Roman numeral II in your outline)

·          What were his/her essential arguments in one or more of his/her works, and what were the rhetorical strategies employed by your person in his/her arguments and works? (2nd movement = III in your outline)

·          What were, are, or are likely to be the legacies and literary contributions of his/her works on American society? (3rd movement = IV)

Like most term paper projects, this task will be completed in stages.  Each stage must be completed before you can be given credit for a subsequent stage.  If a step is handed in after the due date, you will not receive credit for it; however, we will give you feedback.  You are strongly encouraged to hand each step in early to avoid any complications.  Remember, the due date listed for each step is the last date you may hand in the step for credit, EVEN IF YOU ARE ABSENT THAT DAY (see schedule below).  

 

Term paper information:                        Details:                                                                                                                    Dates / Time needed:

Preliminary introduction                         Introduce and explain the term paper process, topics, and grade value.                14-15 August

Thesis/topic description and topic selection discussion.                                      

 

Topic selection list due                                        Put your name on the list and number your top 30+ choices.               18 August                                                              

Prep for trip to LAPL                                            Permission slips, costs, form for library card

                                                                                Demonstrate use of lapl.org (25 bib cards)                            

 

Preliminary research                                               Library time @ SHS library with teachers 6 pm – 7:30 pm                   21 August

Infotrack and initial research assignment work time                        Assignment Due: 25 August

Investigate topic, narrow topic, and find related topics.       

Bibliography cards explained………………………………………………………………………………………..            TBA

In-class check for list of 10 to 25 sources from lapl.org……………………..………………………………………           2 September

Research: trip to LA Library………………………………………………………………………………………           4 September (FIELD TRIP)

On-line research demonstrated (for additional lapl sources)…………………………………………………………          5 September

Bibliography cards due (at least 25) and Source Audit #1 (information coming from Mr. Del Rio)……………….            12 September

Outline due…………………………………………………………………..………………………………………           17 September

Last outline revisions due……………………………………….……………………………………………..……            26 September

Note cards #1 due (at least 60) and Source Audit #2 (information coming from Mr. Del Rio)…………………….            8 October

Note cards #2 due (120 minimum with at least 60 additional new cards)…………………………………………...           22 October

Term paper due: Typed, double-spaced, 10+ sources, 10 page max………………………………………………             3 November           

Computer days: Final revisions and web page construction…………………………………………………………          TBA / 1-9 December

Final draft due: Graded draft, hard copy of final revised draft, and flash drive with web page……………………..           9 December

Web page modifications          : Fixing links, images, and other problems………………………………………………..    11 December

 

IMPORTANT: Students are responsible for renewing their LAPL materials online by the due dates.  Books that are no longer needed or that can’t be renewed must be brought to class by the 9/18, 10/2, and 10/16.  The teachers will return them.  Late books are 25 cents a day per book.  Don’t get fined!

***Students who do not bring the books to us by 10/16/8 must return their own books to the Los Angeles Public Library (Sylmar is close)!

                ***Students who drop our classes must also get us their books by these dates.

 

STUDENT’S NAME _______________________________________PARENT’S SIGNATURE____________________________________________