Research Project

  Now that your have almost completed each of the sections for your project, it is time to begin compiling and finalizing the report. Before you begin compiling the project, think about how you want to present your discussion. Up until this point we have followed a specific order, but now, as the author, it is up to you to decide how to present your argument to your reader. How do you want your reader to become acquainted with your topic? What order logically makes sense? Should the history section be presented first? Will the descriiption section help lure your reader in? How do your sections connect? Do certain sections build upon each either? Once you have decided upon the order, you can begin drafting a 1 page introduction. Think of the piece holistically. What is your overall impression of the American diet? What will readers notice about your approach to the topic? What discoveries have you made? How does this shape your vision of the topic? Use this introduction as an opportunity to direct your reader. Avoid trite introductions. Even though you’ve developed this paper in sections, it should follow as one piece. Do not say, “in the history section I…. And in the descriiption section…” The 1-2 page introduction must establish the framework for the project, not explain the method of development. Conclusion: Once you have completed your introduction, begin working on a 1 page conclusion to tie up the various aspects of the report. Avoid pointing out the various sections of the report; rather, look at what the completed project adds up to. What conclusions can you draw about the American diet? How does the information you researched support your conclusions? How do you view the American diet based on your research? What final points would you like to leave your reader with? Do not use the conclusion as an opportunity to lump together information to fill space in the report. The conclusion should tie ideas together and finalize the discussion. Body: Create a flow between the sections. Your paper should read as one complete piece. Do not use headers throughout the piece (analysis, history, etc). Once you have decided upon the order, evaluate whether or not the sections naturally flow together. If they don’t, you will need to add transitional paragraphs to tie the sections together. For instance, if you decide to put your persuasive (issue) section after the history, ask yourself if the history section lays the groundwork for the persuasive section. If it doesn’t, you will need to add a paragraph that connects the two- perhaps how the history of the industry lead to the current issue/problem. Really think about the connections. Layout The final step is to correctly format your project. Formatting the project correctly is a matter of audience. Chapter 1 of the MLA Handbook explains how to set up your essay. Page 2 illustrates the visual layout of the page: 1. All of the text should be double-spaced with no additional spacing between paragraphs. Be careful if you work outside of Word 2. Use 12 point Times New Roman as your font. (Alternatively, you may use 10 point Verdana.) 3. Identify each page in the essay, beginning on the first page of your essay and throughout the entire work including the Works Cited page, with your last name and the page number in the upper right-hand header. Use the header feature; do not type this directly on the page. 4. On the first page of the essay, place your name on the left hand side, followed by the instructor’s name (Professor Byrne), the course (English 1510), and the date your project is due. 5. On the next line your title should appear (centered). Due to the length and depth of the project, create a title and subtitle. The title should include a reference to a point made in the essay, and the subtitle should provide a bit of insight into your discussion. 6. Begin your essay on the line immediately following the title. 7. Provide the Works Cited page following MLA format on the first full page directly following the essay. See page 5 – 6 of the MLA Handbook. Questions for the finished project: