ENG4U0 Culminating Performance Task

Research Essay (Mrs. Tijanic, December 2014)

Purpose: write a research literary essay focusing on theme study
1) Resources
a. Classic or Canadian novel
b. Murder mystery or Canadian novel
c. Poetry or music lyrics
d. Sacred text or newspaper/magazine/scholarly article (non-fiction text)
2) Teacher approval required for:
a. The 2 novels
b. A proposal with a suggested theme
3) Conferences
a. For each novel
b. Written journal responses and notes to be available
4) Final copy
a. Typed, hard copy to teacher; double-spaced, 12 pt. font, (Arial)
b. Eight paragraph structure
c. MLA format, Works Cited page
d. Firm deadline (Tues. Jan 6, 2015)
e. Include all process work, including at least one draft with changes
f. Send the final essay to turnitin.com for a plagiarism check
5) Process folder to be kept by each student, including:
a. Working notes
b. Bibliography
c. Tracking sheets
d. Rough drafts
e. Peer editing sheets

Research essay paragraph outline

Introductory paragraph
General Statements (3)
Society Statements (3)
Inquiry Question
Transition words

Thesis paragraph
Thesis statement: topic + theme (growth and maturity) + 1 + 2 + 3
Link thesis to #1
Link thesis to #2
Link thesis to #Poem
Link thesis to #NF
Thesis statement

Transition words Body 1

Topic sentence: (must include the essay topic linked to the first support of the thesis, and
briefly summarizing the 3 sub-points to be made)

X
X
X
X
X

Transition words
X
X
X

Point 1a #1 (refer to essay topic and first sub-point, using analysis words to connect ideas)
Proof (separate sentences with context of quotation: followed by quotation)
Comment
Transitional sentence 1a, 1b (whilealso)
Point 1b #1 (refer to essay topic and second sub-point, using analysis words to connect ideas)
Proof (separate sentences with context of quotation: followed by quotation)
Comment
Transitional sentence 1b, 2a (whilealso)
Point 2a #2 (refer to essay topic and third sub-point, using analysis words to connect ideas)
Proof (separate sentences with context of quotation: followed by quotation)
Comment
Conclusion linking to thesis
Transitional paragraph 1-2
Re-state topic sentence of body 1
Summarize 3 sub-points of body 1
Introduce topic sentence of body 2

Transition words Body 2

Topic sentence: (must include the essay topic linked to the second support of the thesis, and
briefly summarizing the 3 sub-points to be made)

X
X
X
X
X
Transition words
X
X
X

Point 1a #1 (refer to essay topic and first sub-point, using analysis words to connect ideas)
Proof (separate sentences with context of quotation: followed by quotation)
Comment
Transitional sentence 1a, 1b (whilealso)
Point 1b #1 (refer to essay topic and second sub-point, using analysis words to connect ideas)
Proof (separate sentences with context of quotation: followed by quotation)
Comment
Transitional sentence 1b, 2a (whilealso)
Point 2a #P (refer to essay topic and third sub-point, using analysis words to connect ideas)
Proof (separate sentences with context of quotation: followed by quotation)
Comment
Conclusion linking to thesis
Transitional paragraph 2-3
Re-state topic sentence of body 2
Summarize 3 sub-points of body 2
Introduce topic sentence of body 3

Transition words Body 3

Topic sentence: (must include the essay topic linked to the third support of the thesis, and
briefly summarizing the 3 sub-points to be made)

X
X
X
X
X

Point 1a #1 (refer to essay topic and first sub-point, using analysis words to connect ideas)
Proof (separate sentences with context of quotation: followed by quotation)
Comment
Transitional sentence 1a, 1b (whilealso)
Point 1b #1 (refer to essay topic and second sub-point, using analysis words to connect ideas)
Proof (separate sentences with context of quotation: followed by quotation)
Comment
Transitional sentence 1b, 2a (whilealso)
Point 2a #NF (refer to essay topic and third sub-point, using analysis words to connect ideas)
Proof (separate sentences with context of quotation: followed by quotation)
Comment
Conclusion linking to thesis

Concluding paragraph
Thesis statement
Link thesis to #1
Link thesis to #2
Link thesis to #Poem
Link thesis to #NF
Society Statements (3)

Transition Words
(from the Gordon Graydon Academic Handbook)
Analysis:
in order to, since, so that, because, which, as a consequence, by, for, with a view to, in
accordance with, as a result, for this reason, hence, on account of, inevitably, naturally,
thereby, thereupon, under these conditions, wherefore
Examples or Illustration:
for example, another example, as evidence, evidence of this, for instance, for the same
reason, in another case, indeed, in fact, in particular, in this case, in this situation,
namely, on this occasion, particularly, specifically, that is, to be sure, to illustrate, to tell
the truth
Similarity:
similarly, by the same token, in a like manner, in the same way, likewise, in a parallel
manner, at the same time
Opposition, Shift or Contrast:
although, but, by contrast, by comparison, contrarily, conversely, despite, even so,
except, for all that, however, in contrast, in spite of, instead, nevertheless,
notwithstanding, on the contrary, on the other hand, otherwise, rather, still, though,
unlike, whereas, yet, besides, nonetheless,
Continuation of Thought:
additionally, again, also, and, and so on, and then, another reason, as well as, at last,
besides, equally important, finally, further, furthermore, in addition, in addition to,
incidentally, in conclusion, in any case, indeed, in fact, in the first place, in the next
place, in the same manner, in this manner, last, lastly, likewise, moreover, more
specifically, much more interesting, next, nor, now, of course, of even greater appeal,
that is to say, then, too, what is more
Sequence:
to begin, first, second third, finally, after, after this, afterward, at first, at the outset, at this
point, at this time, before this, concurrently, consequently, following this, for now, for the
time being, immediately, in conclusion, in the first place, in the second place, last, next,
now, preceding this, previously, simultaneously, subsequently, then
Summarizing:
therefore, in conclusion, hence, for this reason, for these reasons, in brief, in short, in
summary, on the whole, to conclude, to summarize, to sum up, in essence, in other
words

Literary Essay Edit Checklist

(created by Mrs. N. Tijanic)
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Proper paragraph structure: introduction

Proper paragraph structure: body (topic sentence, point, proof, comment, etc.)
Proper paragraph structure: conclusion
Sentence structure: complex, grammatically correct, no fragments, eliminate repetition
Transitional words included where necessary (sequential, comparative)
Present tense usage for verbs
Third person only (no usage of I/you/we)
Formal, academic language (no slang or colloquialisms, no contractions)
Double check for spelling, including Canadian usage
Check for proper punctuation, including proper use of commas and semi-colons; eliminate use of
journalistic styles such as exclamation points, dashes and parentheses
11. Ensure all pronouns correctly match antecedents
12. Quotations should be properly introduced in their own sentence (provide context, place & time)
13. Place citations after quotations, using proper MLA format (indent where necessary)
14. Underline book titles
15. Eliminate conditional words such as could, would, should have, if, might
16. Discontinue use of words such as to prove and in this quote
17. Use active verbs rather than passive
18. Final copy production: typed 12 pt. font, double-spaced, MLA format for margins, pagination, etc.