Week 1
Lesson 1
Introduction to Research Papers and Selecting a Topic
 They will learn about what a research paper is and what the process for the next few weeks looks like. Students will discuss possible research topics they would like to pursue and the instructor will discuss how to appropriately select a topic for any given paper. For homework, students are expected to select a topic and write a 1-2 paragraph proposal for their research paper topic. This is common practice in the college classroom. 
 Week 2
Lesson 2
Identifying Scholarly Level Sources and Annotated Bibliographies
 Students will learn how to identify what is a credible, scholarly level source that would be appropriate for a college paper and how to determine what is not acceptable for their papers. Students will be introduced to a number of places where they can find source materials online, including how to find journal articles, and search for eBooks. Students will also be introduced to annotated bibliographies, which are commonly submitted to instructors in university for guidance on source materials.
 Week 3
Lesson 3
Introductions and Writing an Effective Argument
Students will begin working on writing their paper itself, focusing on developing an argument and writing an introduction. Students will be taught how to create an argument for an academic paper and steer away from just writing book report-style papers at this level. Students will be taught how to develop an argument that synthesizes their own research and uses their own voice and ideas at the same time. 
 Week 4
Lesson 4
Body Paragraphs and Citing Your Sources
Week 4 of the course is all about how to incorporate your research into the body of your paper. Students will learn about the importance of synthesizing their source materials with analyses of those materials and their own ideas and voices in the body of their paper. I encourage them to use their own ideas as much as possible and avoid reiterating fact after fact they found in outside materials. Further, students will cover two different methods of citing their sources, MLA and Chicago.
 Week 5
Lesson 5
Paper Organization, Formal Language, and Editing Techniques
Students will learn about the importance of organization styles in their final paper. We will discuss why the organization is dependent on the topic and how to make sure a paper flows clearly and effectively. Further, students will discuss formal language and how to avoid informality in an academic paper. Students will work through examples of formal and informal language to learn how to identify informality in academic work. 
 Week 6
Lesson 6
Writing a Conclusion
Today, we discuss the best methods of writing a conclusion and wrapping up your research paper. We will talk about the best ways to synthesize the material from a number of pages into one or two paragraphs and how to leave your readers feeling satisfied. Further, students will learn techniques for self-editing and revision of their own papers--how to identify spelling and grammar mistakes, common organization errors, and when things just don't quite make sense.
 Week 7
Lesson 7
Individual Meetings About Final Drafts
In week 7, students will not meet in class as a group, but rather have individual, one on one meetings with the instructor about their drafts of their research papers. The instructor will come to class having read the draft and talk through what the student is doing well and what needs work ahead of their final paper submission. Students will be able to take this opportunity to discuss any issues they may be having with their paper and ask for the guidance of any sort. 
 Week 8
Lesson 8
Student Presentations and Final Paper Submission
In week 8, students will give 5-7 minute long presentations about their research topic! They will be expected to use their microphones and provide visuals to teach other students in the class about what they learned, using the guide on presentations given in week 6. Students are to turn in the final version of their papers within 72 hours of this last class.