Embedded Research Paper

Embedded Research Paper Outline & Works Cited Draft

Overview:  Your main paper for this block is an embedded research paper, a narrative that incorporates research to create a storyline with characters, setting, and plot based on actual events. Your research will allow you to understand the sequence of events that occurred during the situation, the characters of individuals who played important roles during the situation, and an accurate description of a setting.

Topic:  Consider focusing on a historical event or time period. Think about something that you would have liked to participate in, like a migration, a celebration, an invention, or major political decision. For the space allotted, your writing shouldn’t span more than a couple of days, involve more than two major and two minor characters, and describe more than two settings. A more extensive story covered in 1500 words will lack the detail necessary for a successful paper.

Outline:  Once you have decided on a topic, write descriptions of the following list of items, addressing each element. You may use paragraph or outline format. The purpose is to have a strong concept of your story before you begin writing. This is best accomplished after you’ve completed some initial research. The outline below is due Thursday, May 16th.

• Description of main character

• Sex, age, name 
• Strengths, weaknesses 
• Background
• Motivation in story

• Description of other characters

• Sex, age, name
• Purpose in story

• Description of setting

• Location, date
• Imagery
• What your audience needs to know

• Description of plot

• Where you might begin
• What the climax will be
• What will happen in the conclusion

• Description of purpose

• What will you emphasize about this event? What message do you want to communicate to a reader through the events and characters?

The sources for your research should be recorded in MLA format in a separate document that will become your Works Cited page (use EasyBib to format the sources). The rough draft of references with an explanation of the content you will glean from them is due Wednesday, May 22nd.

• Six sources listed in MLA format

• 3 primary
• 3 secondary