Executive Summary
Welcome to the near finish line of the semester. You will be writing a research essay using all the
skill-sets that you have been working on throughout this course: Summarizing, paraphrasing,
evaluating arguments, thesis statements, transitions, locating and incorporating secondary
sources, crafting introductions and conclusions, explaining evidence, database research, research
questions, and evaluating academic research sources. You will be crafting a research question
that uses three academic journal articles and three popular publications to survey current
scientific and cultural thought about your research topic.
Structure

Title Page
Introduction/Research Question 300 words
Work cited page
Analysis of Six Sources 1000-1200 words
Conclusion/Findings/Recommendations 300 words
The Process
1) Each section needs to begin on a new page of the document. Each section needs its own
headline on the top center of the page
2) Title page: (All centered in the middle of the page) Title of your research essay, your name,
name of the course, semester of our course, my name
3) Introduction: Define the problem/ issue that your are researching. Talk about why you are
interested in your research topic. State your research question. What was your initial guess as
to what the answer of your research question might have been before you began your
research?
4) Work cited page
5) Analysis of six sources: (for every source) Main point summary, how the source connects t
research question, one quote to demonstrate connection to research (partial or full quote)
6) Conclusions/findings/recommendations: What are the reoccurring arguments of your
sources? Answer your research question. Recommendation for future research: topics, ideas,
directions, questions that need to asked?
Requirements
1600-1800 words minimum
Six sources: three academic journal articles, three popular publications
Draft
Peer review summary sheet
Work cited page
Evaluation Criteria (In addition to the grading criteria on the syllabus)
Meeting of the minimum word count
Having an introduction that gives clear background, context, and research interest in your topic
Is your research question narrow and focused enough to guide effective analysis and research?
The ability to tie each source effectively to your research question through summary,
argumentation, and connection to your research question
Thoughtfully using your analysis to advocate for future research on your topic

**DON’T WORRY ABOUT PEER REVIEW STUFF**