Running head: SOPHOMORE ENGLISH RESEARCH PAPER

Sophomore English Research Paper: Animal Farm

University of Maryland University College
Alison Perry

Running head: SOPHOMORE ENGLISH RESEARCH PAPER

Content Standards
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.7: Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer
a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when
appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under
investigation (English Language Arts Standards, 2016).
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.8: Gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print and
digital sources, using advanced searches effectively; assess the usefulness of each source in answering the
research question; integrate information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding
plagiarism and following a standard format for citation (English Language Arts Standards, 2016).
Unit Description
Throughout this unit, we will be covering a number of different skills essential for success during
your college and career experiences. Composing thesis statements, integrating quotes, and citing
information are all skills well sharpen throughout these five lessons. The novella we just completed,
Animal Farm, will be our muse, and this research project will demonstrate both your understanding of the
text as well as your ability to research and cite information using correct MLA formatting.
Throughout the unit, you will find all of the materials on this classs Schoology page, and the unit
will be conducted in both an asynchronous and synchronous manner. Some days, I will be meeting with
you at a specific time via Skype in order to offer you direct instruction, while other days you will be
required to follow the instructions provided in order to complete the assignments. On these days, if youre
having trouble understanding the lesson, make sure to e-mail or message me as soon as possible. Falling
behind with your work will cause unnecessary stress!
Our final product for this unit will be a four paragraph essay that includes at least four
parenthetically cited quotes from research. You will also need to submit a works cited page that includes
at least three different sources. All researched information must be cited using MLA formatting. Happy
researching!

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Unit Outcomes

Compose clearly worded thesis statements

Research credible and appropriate information
Cite quotes parenthetically using MLA formatting
Write works cited page entries using MLA formatting
Compose body paragraphs with effectively integrated quotes
Compose introduction and conclusion paragraphs successfully
Practice peer editing

Day #1-Monday: Assignment Introduction/Thesis Statements/MLA Format (fully developed lesson)

Objectives

Media &
Materials

Activities

1.

2.

3.
4.

5.
6.

Homework

1.

Reteaching
Strategies

Students will review the requirements for composing an effective thesis

statement in order to begin writing a research paper.
Students will review MLA formatting requirements in order to begin writing a
research paper.
Schoology
Shmoop video on Animal Farm: http://www.shmoop.com/video/animal-farm/
YouTube video on writing thesis statements: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=8wxE8R_x5I0
Research Paper Description
MLA Scavenger Hunt
Students will find the following instructions on todays Schoology page:
(Introduction) Watch the following video. This will refresh your memories on
the ways in which Animal Farm is an allegory for the Russian Revolution:
http://www.shmoop.com/video/animal-farm/.
After reading the novella, Animal Farm, by George Orwell, you will know
compose a research paper that demonstrates your understanding of the storys
allegorical nature.
Review the papers description (see pages 6-7) order to gain an overall picture
of the project.
After you choose your symbols, complete the following two tasks prior to
composing your thesis statement:
-View this YouTube video. It helps to explain how to write an effective thesis.
-Review the examples I provided for you on the bottom of the papers
description.
Once you compose your thesis statement, submit it in the dropbox on
Schoology.
(Closure) After your thesis is written, complete the MLA Scavenger Hunt (see
page 8) order to refresh your memories on using this formatting style. We will
be researching tomorrow, so these skills are needed!
(Written on the students Schoology page)
Begin looking for quotes from Animal Farm that could potentially be used in
your papers.
If students are struggling to write their thesis statements, I will expand this
lesson.
I will upload three example research papers to Schoology that do not include a

Running head: SOPHOMORE ENGLISH RESEARCH PAPER

Extension
Activities

thesis statement. Students will read the papers, noting the major topics in each
body paragraph, and based on the content of the papers, we will work as a class
to compose effective thesis statements for the example papers.
APA and MLA Citation Game
https://depts.washington.edu/trio/quest/citation/apa_mla_citation_game/
Students can use this cite as additional practice when writing their MLA
citations.

Day #2-Tuesday: Research

Objectives
Media

Pedagogical
Approach

Homework

Students will review how to correctly write MLA citations

Students will research information in order to compose an essay
Skype
Schoology
Google Docs
Online sources for research
To start the lesson, students will view a video that covers the basic
requirements for correctly citing research papers using MLA format. This will
further enhance students understanding of MLA citations (parenthetical and
works cited page entries).
After they watch the video, I will work with students (via Skype). We will
work together to cite five example quotes parenthetically. We will also practice
writing their corresponding works cited entries. These practices will be
uploaded to Schoology and shared in a Google doc.
Students will use the remaining class time to research their topics. They will
use a chart (see page 8) to keep track of their findings. Charts will include
their researched information with parenthetical citations as well as works cited
entries.
Completed research charts due tomorrow (upload to Schoology)

Day #3-Wednesday: Rough Draft

Objectives
Media

Pedagogical
Approach

Students will practice effective ways to compose a research paper

Audio (from teacher)
Schoology
Google Docs
YouTube video (created by teacher)
Skype
To begin the lesson, students will review the order in which to write their
research paper. On Schoology, I will upload a Google doc that has step-by-step
instructions that include what needs to go in each paragraph of the essay (see
page 9). To enhance these instructions, I will also upload an audio file that
includes me explaining how to set up their writing.
After students read and listen to these instructions, they will view a YouTube
video created by me that explains effective ways to integrate quotes into their

Running head: SOPHOMORE ENGLISH RESEARCH PAPER

Homework

papers.
They will then have the remaining class time to begin composing their rough
drafts. I will be available via Skype if they have questions while writing.
Rough drafts will be due Friday.

Day #4-Thursday: Rough Draft

Objectives
Media

Pedagogical
Approach

Homework

Students will practice effective ways to compose a research paper

Students will review how to correctly cite using MLA formatting
Schoology
Google Docs
Skype
Prior to allowing students time to continue working on their research papers
with my guidance, we will complete a review activity on MLA formatting. As
a class, we will review an example of a research paper together (uploaded to
Schoology), identifying errors the writer made when using MLA formatting
and discussing how to correct the errors.
They will then have the remaining class time to finish writing their rough
drafts to have them ready for tomorrows peer edit. I will be available via
Skype if they have questions while writing.
Rough drafts are due to Turnitin.com by midnight tonight.

Day #5-Friday: Peer Editing

Objectives
Media

Pedagogical
Approach
Homework

Students will complete a peer edit in order to finalize their research papers
Turnitin.com Peermark feature
Schoology
Google Docs
Students will use the Peermark feature on Turnitin.com to edit a classmates
paper. To offer additional guidance, I will upload to Schoology a checklist for
students to use as they edit their partners papers.
(Unit Assessment) Final essays due Monday.
Justification for advancing student learning

Overall, this unit enables students to successfully complete a research project entirely online. For
instance, completing a research project can appear as a daunting task for a high school students. However,
this unit breaks down the parts of the research process, making it less intimidating for students to
complete the project. Students begin the process by first choosing their thesis, the statement around which
their entire essay will revolve, then they complete their research, then lastly, they write their essay. For all

Running head: SOPHOMORE ENGLISH RESEARCH PAPER

of these tasks, Ive provided students step-by-step instructions on their Schoology pages. They can easily
return to my instructions if they feel confused.
Also, throughout the unit, Ive used a variety of activities and approaches in order to appeal to all
students learning abilities. For instance, on some days, students watched videos that explained the task;
on other days, I will work with the class to teach and explain the assignments. A reasonable combination
of both asynchronous and synchronous learning occurred throughout the unit. This allowed students to
both work at their own pace if they felt comfortable with the material; it also was helpful for students if
they felt they needed more guidance.
Paper Description

Running head: SOPHOMORE ENGLISH RESEARCH PAPER

MLA Scavenger Hunt

Research Chart

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Rough Draft Outline

Running head: SOPHOMORE ENGLISH RESEARCH PAPER

References
Animal Farm. (2016). Shmoop. Retrieved from http://www.shmoop.com/video/animal-farm/
APA and MLA Citation Game Homepage. Retrieved from
https://depts.washington.edu/trio/quest/citation/apa_mla_citation_game/
English Language Arts Standards. (2016). Common Core State Standards Initiative: Preparing Americas
Students for College and Career. Retrieved from http://www.corestandards.org/ELALiteracy/W/9-10/
How To Write A Killer Thesis Statement by Shmoop. (2013). YouTube. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wxE8R_x5I0
MLA Scavenger Hunt. OWL at Purdue. Retrieved from http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/