Name: _________________________________________ Period: ___________ Pekatos

9TH GRADE HONORS LITERATURE & COMPOSITION

Ethical Issues Research Paper

Purpose: The Ethical Issues Research Paper is a way to combine expository research, current events, literary
analysis, writing skills, and social justice for ethical issues. Use your knowledge of non- fiction and The
Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks to help you in your research and writing processes.

Assignment: Research an ethical issue, including BOTH opposing viewpoints on this issue. You will write an
objective expository essay that explains both sides of the issue in 2-4 body paragraphs. Your final paper will be
formatted according to MLA guidelines and will include a Works Cited page. Although this unit will result in a
final, polished draft of your research paper, you are expected to complete each step of the research process on
time, as each step is considered a separate assignment (see below).

ANY PLAGIARISM WILL RESULT IN A GRADE OF 0 AND AN HONOR CODE REFERRAL.

Main Standards Addressed
READING NONFICTION
ELACC9-10RI1: Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis the text and determine a theme or central idea of
text;
ELACC9-10RI2: Provide an objective summary of the text
ELACC9-10RI6: Determine an authors point of view or purpose in a text and analyze how an author uses rhetoric to advance
that point of view or purpose.
WRITING
ELACC9-10W2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly
and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
ELACC9-10W5: Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach,
focusing on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audienc
RESEARCH
ELACC9-10W8: 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
ELACC9-10SL2: Integrate multiple sources of information presented in diverse media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively,
orally) evaluating the credibility and accuracy of each source.
Elements
Topic/ Draft of Thesis
6 Source Citations with Notes
Works Cited Page
Completed Rough Draft
Polished Final Draft

Where can I find journal articles?
http://fulton.mackinvia.com/
HELPFUL RESOURCES
From the NSCHS Website: Under the Students tab, then choose Media
Center. On the bottom right of the screen, click on the MackinVIA logo. YOU
MUST FIND SOURCES IN OUR DATABASES. NO GOOGLING.

Where can I find help for MLA formatting?

http://owl.english.purdue.edu Use this site for MLA Citations and Documentations; it has example essays as well as
correct Works Cited page directions and examples.