SENIOR PAPER/PROJECT 2013-2014 This project is designed to assist you in your preparation for a higher learning institute, be it a 4-year university, a.

SENIOR PAPER/PROJECT 2013-2014SENIOR PAPER/PROJECT 2013-2014

This project is designed to assist you in This project is designed to assist you in

your preparation for a higher learning your preparation for a higher learning

institute, be it a 4-year university, a 2-institute, be it a 4-year university, a 2-

year college, a 2/4-year technical year college, a 2/4-year technical

training school, or the militarytraining school, or the military

What do we need to do to get What do we need to do to get accepted into a higher learning accepted into a higher learning

institute?institute? GuidelinesGuidelines Note FormatNote Format College Admission TestsCollege Admission Tests Military guidelinesMilitary guidelines Letters of RecommendationLetters of Recommendation Financial AidFinancial Aid ScholarshipsScholarships PlagiarismPlagiarism

Senior Research Paper & ProjectSenior Research Paper & ProjectRequired ItemsRequired Items

Essay comparing/contrasting 2 Essay comparing/contrasting 2 Universities/Colleges/Technical Training Universities/Colleges/Technical Training Institutes, OR if you are absolutely, positively Institutes, OR if you are absolutely, positively certain, you may choose 1.certain, you may choose 1.

OR…if you plan to join the Armed Forces, you OR…if you plan to join the Armed Forces, you may research that.may research that.

Letters of Recommendation from at least 2 Letters of Recommendation from at least 2 sources (sources (II don’t count) don’t count)

Completed and Printed On-line or Hard Copy Completed and Printed On-line or Hard Copy Applications for at least 1 of the 2 higher learning Applications for at least 1 of the 2 higher learning institutesinstitutes

Senior Research Paper & ProjectSenior Research Paper & ProjectRequired ItemsRequired Items

AFAHS information (if applicable)AFAHS information (if applicable)

At least 1 scholarship/financial aid form from one At least 1 scholarship/financial aid form from one of the institutes comparedof the institutes compared

Answers to Interview questions (Already covered Answers to Interview questions (Already covered in class) in essay formin class) in essay form

General FormatGeneral Format Topic: College/University or Military Topic: College/University or Military

ComparisonComparison Must be typed (12 font; Times Roman_Must be typed (12 font; Times Roman_ Spacing: DoubleSpacing: Double Margin: 1” on all sidesMargin: 1” on all sides Length:5-8 typed pages. (Nothing less than Length:5-8 typed pages. (Nothing less than

5 complete pages will be acceptable). 5 complete pages will be acceptable). Notecards: 50 minimumNotecards: 50 minimum Sources: 5-6 Minimum – internet sources, Sources: 5-6 Minimum – internet sources,

may only be official university websites, .org, may only be official university websites, .org, .edu, .gov, or those listed below.edu, .gov, or those listed below

General FormatGeneral Format

Websites may include: Websites may include: www.fastweb.com; ; www.wiredscholar.com; ; www.collegeboard.com; ; www.pin.ed.gov; www.fafsa.ed.gov; ; www.fafsa.ed.gov; www.makingitcount.com; www.makingitcount.com; www.collegeanswer.com; www.collegeanswer.com; www.scholarships.com; www.scholarships.com; www.collegescholarships.comwww.collegescholarships.com

Things to consider when applying for college..Things to consider when applying for college..(a.k.a. – what to include in your paper)(a.k.a. – what to include in your paper)

MajorsMajors SizeSize SettingSetting Location: Cook Location: Cook

County, IL; Illinois, County, IL; Illinois, Out-of-StateOut-of-State

Type of degree offered Entrance

requirements Cost (tuition & fees)

Setting - Urban, Suburban, Rural

Public or Private Athletics (Competitive

& Intramural) Clubs and

Organizations Housing (cost, meal

plan, requirements, etc.)

Health & Safety Career Services

Your Last Name 1

First & Last Name

Mrs. Maynie

Senior Seminar

November 1, 2013

Title of Paper

The first paragraph should be indented five spaces as should all

subsequent new paragraphs. Remember, sentence length should average ten to

fifteen words and each paragraph should average seven to ten sentences each.

Taboo Words, etc.Taboo Words, etc. YouYou Anything that includes the readerAnything that includes the reader All inclusive words like: everyone, no one, All inclusive words like: everyone, no one,

always, neveralways, never Contractions: it’s, wouldn’t, can’tContractions: it’s, wouldn’t, can’t Numbers: Whole numbers under 100 need Numbers: Whole numbers under 100 need

to be spelled outto be spelled out Do not begin with “This report is about….” Do not begin with “This report is about….”

or “I am writing about….” or “In this or “I am writing about….” or “In this report, I will prove….”report, I will prove….”

Do not end with “In conclusion….”Do not end with “In conclusion….”

Special Points on BeginningsSpecial Points on Beginnings Grab the reader’s Grab the reader’s

attentionattention Establish the tone of the Establish the tone of the

essayessay Identify the central issue Identify the central issue

(thesis)(thesis) Establish subject & Establish subject &

approach as soon as approach as soon as possiblepossible

Write with personality Write with personality from the startfrom the start

Begin with an opinion, Begin with an opinion, one that you will defend one that you will defend or refute (XYZ University or refute (XYZ University is the greatest university is the greatest university in the United States)in the United States)

Use an apt & engaging Use an apt & engaging quote, a revealing quote, a revealing anecdote, an interesting anecdote, an interesting point of information point of information (trivia), an arresting (trivia), an arresting image – At Northeastern image – At Northeastern State University, the State University, the third floor of Seminary third floor of Seminary Hall is haunted!Hall is haunted!

Begin with background Begin with background information your reader information your reader needs to know before needs to know before narrowing down your narrowing down your thesisthesis

Things of Which to be AwareThings of Which to be Aware

The obvious (The University of IL is in The obvious (The University of IL is in Illinois.)Illinois.)

Too general or unnecessary Too general or unnecessary background (XYZ University offers background (XYZ University offers college classes.)college classes.)

Dull, everyday remarks, especially Dull, everyday remarks, especially “words of wisdom” that are old and “words of wisdom” that are old and tritetrite

Special Points on EndingsSpecial Points on Endings

The conclusion is the The conclusion is the last opportunity to last opportunity to communicate with communicate with readerreader

Underscores the Underscores the effectiveness or effectiveness or importance of the whole importance of the whole essayessay

You should be able to You should be able to make your choice by the make your choice by the end of your essay.end of your essay.

Don’t simply repeat Don’t simply repeat what you’ve already what you’ve already saidsaid

Don’t introduce new Don’t introduce new material or ideas that material or ideas that you won’t have time you won’t have time to develop adequatelyto develop adequately

Be honest; don’t claim Be honest; don’t claim to have accomplished to have accomplished or established more or established more than you already havethan you already have

Convince me that I Convince me that I would want to attend would want to attend your choice, be it your choice, be it college, tech, or college, tech, or militarymilitary

College Entrance ExamsCollege Entrance Exams

SATSAT Collegeboard.comCollegeboard.com Designed to Designed to

measure academic measure academic aptitude in verbal aptitude in verbal and numerical and numerical reasoning.reasoning.

Test ContentTest Content Critical reading, Critical reading,

math and writing.math and writing.

ACTACT Actstudent.orgActstudent.org Designed to Designed to

measure academic measure academic achievement.achievement.

Test ContentTest Content English, math, English, math,

reading and science reading and science reasoning.reasoning.

General Military GuidelinesGeneral Military Guidelines

Age:Age:• 17 with parental consent or 18 without parental consent17 with parental consent or 18 without parental consent

Physical requirements:Physical requirements:• Good physical condition, of appropriate weight and able Good physical condition, of appropriate weight and able

to pass a standard physical screening prior to entryto pass a standard physical screening prior to entry

Educational requirements:Educational requirements:• A high school diploma or GEDA high school diploma or GED

Citizenship requirements:Citizenship requirements:• U.S. citizens or Permanent Resident Aliens U.S. citizens or Permanent Resident Aliens

.

Note Cards (index cards)Note Cards (index cards)

It is useful to take notes on index cards because it gives you the flexibility to change the order of your notes and group them together easily. 

Note CardsNote Cards(How to do it)(How to do it)

1. Write the subtopic heading of the note at

the top of each note card.

2. Write only one main point on a note card

3. Only write information directly related to

your Statement of Purpose.

4. Write only essential words, abbreviate

when possible.

Note CardsNote Cards(How to do it)(How to do it)

5. Be accurate: double check direct quotes

and statistics.

6. Identify direct quotes with quotation

marks and the person's name.

7. Bracket your own words [ ] when you add

them into a quote

8. Distinguish between 'fact' and 'opinion'.

Note CardsNote Cards(How to do it)(How to do it)

9. Include the source's number on the card

10. Write the page number of the source

after the note.

11. Use the word 'over' to indicate

information on the back of the card.

Note Card ExampleNote Card Example

Letters of RecommendationLetters of Recommendation You have a number of people in your lives You have a number of people in your lives

who can write a letter on your behalf. who can write a letter on your behalf. Choose the writers who you feel can give Choose the writers who you feel can give you the best recommendation. Suggestion you the best recommendation. Suggestion from college admissions counselors: only from college admissions counselors: only one should be from a teacher.one should be from a teacher.

Whenever students ask for a letter of Whenever students ask for a letter of recommendation, they should offer any recommendation, they should offer any pertinent information (Activities Resume) pertinent information (Activities Resume) to help the writer develop a good positive to help the writer develop a good positive letter.letter.

FootnotesFootnotes

What is a FootnoteWhat is a Footnote• The footnote takes the form of a The footnote takes the form of a

superscripted number, just after a superscripted number, just after a paraphrased piece of information. paraphrased piece of information. Subsequently, a cross-reference to this Subsequently, a cross-reference to this number is inserted at the bottom of the number is inserted at the bottom of the same paper

Footnotes SampleFootnotes Sample Blah blah blah, blah, blah blah, and Blah blah blah, blah, blah blah, and

Swain notes, "blah blah blah."Swain notes, "blah blah blah."11 Gaar Gaar disagrees, arguing, "blah, blah blah."disagrees, arguing, "blah, blah blah."22 Both authors agree that there are three Both authors agree that there are three main issues, but Swain thinks number main issues, but Swain thinks number two is most important.two is most important.33 Gaar, on the Gaar, on the other hand, thinks that blah blah blah.other hand, thinks that blah blah blah.44 It is possible that neither author is It is possible that neither author is correct, although Swain raises an correct, although Swain raises an interesting point, saying, "blah, blah, interesting point, saying, "blah, blah, blah."blah."55

At the bottom of the pageAt the bottom of the page 1 Joseph P. Swain, 1 Joseph P. Swain, The Broadway Musical: A Critical and Musical The Broadway Musical: A Critical and Musical

Survey Survey (New York: Oxford University Press, 1990), 136. (New York: Oxford University Press, 1990), 136. [<--- the [<--- the first time you quote or paraphrase from this book]first time you quote or paraphrase from this book]

2 Gillian G. Gaar, 2 Gillian G. Gaar, She's a Rebel: The History of Women in Rock & She's a Rebel: The History of Women in Rock & Roll Roll (Seattle: Seal Press, 1992),101-2.(Seattle: Seal Press, 1992),101-2.

3 Swain, 3 Swain, Broadway MusicalBroadway Musical, 153. , 153. [<--- the second time you cite [<--- the second time you cite Swain's book]Swain's book]

4 Gaar, 4 Gaar, She's a RebelShe's a Rebel, 106. , 106. [<--- the second time you cite [<--- the second time you cite Gaar's book]Gaar's book]

5 Swain, 5 Swain, Broadway MusicalBroadway Musical, 187. , 187. [<--- the third time you cite [<--- the third time you cite Swain's book]Swain's book]

NoteNote

2 letters required – 1 from a teacher; 2 letters required – 1 from a teacher; 1 from an unrelated, adult outside 1 from an unrelated, adult outside sourcesource

For each letter, YOU need to provide For each letter, YOU need to provide an envelope for your writeran envelope for your writer

Letters will be turned in with your Letters will be turned in with your research projectresearch project

Letters of RecommendationLetters of RecommendationRequirementsRequirements

Financial AidFinancial Aid

F.A.F.S.A. F.A.F.S.A. www.pin.ed.govwww.fafsa.ed.gov

www.makingitcount.comwww.makingitcount.com

College Entrance Interview QuestionsCollege Entrance Interview QuestionsQuestions the Admissions Officer might ask youQuestions the Admissions Officer might ask you

These need to be answered in essay form – complete sentences, etc.These need to be answered in essay form – complete sentences, etc.

Tell me a little about Tell me a little about yourself.yourself.

Why do you want to attend Why do you want to attend this university? this university?

What can you offer this What can you offer this school?...or...What unique school?...or...What unique quality do you posses that quality do you posses that could add to this school?could add to this school?

What are your strengths? What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses?What are your weaknesses?

What are you most proud What are you most proud of?of?

How would your teachers How would your teachers describe you? How would describe you? How would your friends describe you?your friends describe you?

Who is your role model? Who is your role model? Who has influenced you the Who has influenced you the most in life?most in life?

What organizations do you What organizations do you see yourself becoming see yourself becoming involved with at this involved with at this university?university?

What leadership roles do What leadership roles do you see yourself pursuing at you see yourself pursuing at this university?this university?

If you could redo the last If you could redo the last four years, what would you four years, what would you do differently?do differently?

What's the most important What's the most important lesson you learned in high lesson you learned in high school?school?

What do you see yourself What do you see yourself doing after college?doing after college?

Career OpportunitiesCareer Opportunities

Planning Career Choices:Planning Career Choices:

1. What do you see yourself doing ten 1. What do you see yourself doing ten years from now?  years from now?  2. List 3 jobs you might see for yourself? 2. List 3 jobs you might see for yourself? 3. Do you think you want to work indoors 3. Do you think you want to work indoors or outdoors? or outdoors? 4. Do you like working with your hands?4. Do you like working with your hands?5. Do you like working with people or 5. Do you like working with people or alone? alone? 6. Are there activities you really want to 6. Are there activities you really want to avoid avoid (like writing, reading, etc.)? (like writing, reading, etc.)?

ScholarshipsScholarships

CollegesColleges NationalNational LocalLocal Check in the Check in the

Counseling/Career/Counseling/Career/ College CenterCollege Center Ms. SpencerMs. Spencer Mr. KaneMr. Kane Senior BulletinSenior Bulletin

Listen to Mustang Listen to Mustang DispatchDispatch

Browse the INTERNETBrowse the INTERNET• www.fastweb.comwww.fastweb.com• www.wiredscholar.comwww.wiredscholar.com• www.collegeboard.comwww.collegeboard.com• www.collegeanswer.comwww.collegeanswer.com• www.scholarships.comwww.scholarships.com• www.collegescholarshipswww.collegescholarships

.com.com

PlagiarismPlagiarism Definition: “The false assumption of authorship: Definition: “The false assumption of authorship:

the wrongful act of taking the product of another the wrongful act of taking the product of another person’s mind, and presenting it as one’s own.”person’s mind, and presenting it as one’s own.”

Using another person’s ideas, information, or Using another person’s ideas, information, or expressions without acknowledging that person’s expressions without acknowledging that person’s work constitutes intellectual theft.”work constitutes intellectual theft.”

Students exposed as plagiarists suffer severe Students exposed as plagiarists suffer severe penalties, ranging from failure in the assignment penalties, ranging from failure in the assignment or in the course to expulsion from school.or in the course to expulsion from school.

Above information taken from the Above information taken from the MLA HandbookMLA Handbook

Plagiarism cont’d.Plagiarism cont’d. REPEATING OR PARAPHRASING WORDINGREPEATING OR PARAPHRASING WORDING

Original Source: Original Source: Some of Dickinson’s most Some of Dickinson’s most powerful poems express her firmly held powerful poems express her firmly held conviction that life cannot be fully comprehended conviction that life cannot be fully comprehended without an understanding of death.without an understanding of death.

Plagiarized Sentence:Plagiarized Sentence: Emily Dickinson firmly Emily Dickinson firmly believed that we cannot fully comprehend life believed that we cannot fully comprehend life unless we also understand death.unless we also understand death.

Correct Sentence:Correct Sentence: As Wendy Martin has As Wendy Martin has suggested, Emily Dickinson firmly believed that suggested, Emily Dickinson firmly believed that we cannot fully comprehend life unless we also we cannot fully comprehend life unless we also understand death (625).understand death (625).

TAKING A PARTICULARLY APT PHRASETAKING A PARTICULARLY APT PHRASE

Original Source:Original Source: Everyone used the word Everyone used the word languagelanguage and everybody these days talks about and everybody these days talks about cultureculture….”Languaculture” is a reminder, I hope of ….”Languaculture” is a reminder, I hope of the necessary connection between its two the necessary connection between its two parts….(Michael Agar, parts….(Michael Agar, Language Shock: Language Shock: Understanding the Culture of Conversation Understanding the Culture of Conversation [New [New York: Morrow, 1994] 60).York: Morrow, 1994] 60).

Plagiarized Sentence:Plagiarized Sentence: At the intersection of At the intersection of language and culture lies a concept that we language and culture lies a concept that we might call “languaculture.”might call “languaculture.”

Correct Sentence:Correct Sentence: At the intersection of language At the intersection of language and culture lies a concept that Michael Agar has and culture lies a concept that Michael Agar has called “languaculture” (60).called “languaculture” (60).

Plagiarism cont’d.Plagiarism cont’d.