Geography Research Paper Guidelines

Topic:
Choose any topic from an article or video on the About.com Geography website. http://geography.about.com/

Grading:

Body: 70 points
Map: 10 points
Photo: 10 points
References: 10 points
=100 points possible

Body:
The body of the paper must be between 3-4full pages of writing (double-spaced) PLUS a map, photo, and references.

Be sure to include the following:
?   A summary of the article or video (do not plagiarize/copy word for word)
?   WHERE it is located (name of countryand where it’s located within the country)
?   Additional research beyond the article or video

Spelling and grammar count for part of the grade – be sure to run the spellchecker on your word processing program. You should have a logical introductory paragraph

and conclusion paragraph.

Have someone you know review your paper for you before you submit it – especially if English is your second language.

Warning: do not copy whole sentences or paragraphs from the web… I check for this and its considered plagiarism if you do it. Instead, read your source material, take

notes, and then write the paper in your own words.

Map:
You must include a thematic map related to your topic. A thematic map will show the topic you are researching and where it is located. The map will most likely be

found on one of the websites you used for research and/or you can do a Google Images search for one. You can include more than one map if you think that one does not

tell the story adequately.

For example, if you are writing about Tikal in Guatemala, find a map that shows where the site is located. Do not provide a general/political map of the country.

Instead, use Google Images or some other way to find a map that illustrates your specific site.

If your article does not refer to a specific country (example: your topic is Global Positioning Systems), then choose a country and research the topic as it relates to

that location (example: GPS use in Russia).

Photo:
As they say: A picture speaks a thousand words. Find a photo of the topic. Be sure to include photo credits (who took it, where you found it, etc.) Cite the source and

date retrieved just below the photo.
Example:

Temple 1 in Tikal National Park in Guatemala. Picture courtesy ofRaymond Ostertag. Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tikal_Temple1_2006_08_11.JPG on

September 20, 2012.

References:
Include a list of references (you need at least two) at the end of your document on a separate references page. Also, cite any direct quotes or source material

(including websites) within the text of your paper in proper format. It is extremely important that references include all pertinent information such as: author,

title, dates, etc.

Example of a periodical reference:
Kanfer, F. H., & Busemeyer, J. R. (1982). The use of problem-solving and decision-making in behavior therapy. Clinical Psychology Review, 2, 239-266.

Example of an online document reference:
Van Wagner, K. (2006). Guide to APA format. About Psychology. Retrieved on November 16, 2009 from http://psychology.about.com/od/apastyle/guide

(I highlighted the retrieved on date because it essential! What date did you visit the website?)