Serial Killer Research

   Name:

Directions, Topics, and Rubric

The Goal:

There are three major parts to composing this research paper: refining a topic, gathering research data, and composing the paper.

The Rationale: 

You will be demonstrating your comprehension by citing textual and informational evidence (ELACC11-12RL[I]1,3) through organized writing (ELACC11-12W1,2,4) using technology and research as support (ELACC11-12W6,7). You will also be completing multiple drafts in an effort to revise, evaluate, and edit your own writing (ELACC11-12W5). Your grade will be dependant on your ability to follow MLA format and the conventions of the English language (ELACC11-12L1,2,4).

The Topic:

In order to best explore the history and background information, we will be exploring the following topic through research. You may select the serial killer which most appeals to your research interests.

Charles Manson         

When you select a serial killer, be sure to not just regurgitate bibliographical information; instead discuss the societal norms for the time period as well as how the serial killer selected his/her victims and how the crimes were committed.   

Once you’ve selected a topic, focus your research on three questions: 

1. Who is this serial killer, and what crimes did they commit? 

2. How did the serial killer affect their immediate community and society as a whole? 

3. How does your serial killer fit the psychological profile of a serial killer?

The Research:

You are required to find at least three to five sources of written information. These should come from respected websites. You should use your Data Packet to keep track of the information you find.

After you have gathered the data and written down the pertinent source information, you will need to organize it according to the three questions listed above. 

The Paper:

Once you have developed a topic, gathered data, and organized your data, you can begin writing the paper. Use the checklist on the back of this sheet to guide you!  It must be formatted according to MLA standards and between four to six pages. You will create a works cited page including at least eight sources of written information. This paper will be due on ______________. 

The Rubric:

Content

Essay contained three to five 

sources                ___/20

Answers were provided

to questions/

issues presented        ___/20

MLA Format

Pagination/Title/Correct Names, Class/Date                    

___/10

Correct in-text

citations                 ___/10

Correct Works Cited        

Page                    ___/10

Total:                ___/100

Delivery

Delivery
 

30 – 20

The essay is poignant and loaded with scholarly vocabulary and conventions.  It clearly exhibits a grasp of grammatical conventions and only has a few minor errors.

19 – 15

The essay is well written, but suffers from several minor grammatical and/or spelling errors.  

14 – 0

Run-ons, sentence fragments, and comma splices abound.  The essay has major grammatical errors and/or many misspelled words.

            ___/30