Research paper: Example

Students were asked to do a research paper on the Black Lives Matter movement. The paper is shorter than yours (half the size), but the research is solid, and the citations are well-done. You'll be writing a longer paper on a different topic, but other than that, the assignment is the same. In particular, notice how the student uses in-text citation and how she constructs her citation page.

ENG100

Tom Amano-Tompkins

11/27/16

Because Black Lives Didn’t Matter

            Social media connects the world. It has been used for years to stay connected with family and friends, but those days are now evolving. Nowadays, people are using the power of social media to get their voices heard. One of the most powerful modern day movement that started from social media is Black Lives Matter. BLM is for the injustice black lives face from the laws that were meant to protect them. The overwhelming amount of violence and underwhelming amount of attention for the black community created a modern-day movement for black people, but misinformation of the true meaning is leaving a bitter taste for others.

            “No justice! No peace!” (Boedecker) chanted the protesters who had been waiting outside the Sanford Courthouse after finding out the verdict of the Trayvon Martin murder case. Seventeen-year-old unarmed black male, Trayvon Martin, was shot on the night of February 26, 2012. The person who fired and killed Martin was neighborhood watch coordinator, George Zimmerman. Zimmerman was put on trial and claimed that he acted out of self-defense because Martin was beating him up. Since Florida has the stand-your-ground law, which states that one can threaten and use deadly force if in presumption of fear of death or great bodily harm (Florida Statues), Zimmerman was found not guilty of second degree murder and was acquitted from manslaughter on July 13, 2013.

            On the night of July 13, 2013, Alicia Garza posted, “Black people. I love you. I love us. Our lives matter.” (Day) on her Facebook page following the verdict of the Zimmerman trial case. Her friend, Patrisse Cullors, reposted her post with the hashtag, #blacklivesmatter. Garza and Cullors decided to create a campaign on the sentiments on the verdict and how black people in America are dehumanized. The two then teamed with Opal Tometi, an activist of immigration rights. Garza’s reason for creating a campaign was, “To make sure we are creating a world where black lives actually do matter” (Day). The three women created Black Lives Matter.

            The roots of Black Lives Matter started as a hashtag on social media, mainly Twitter. With the hashtag, people, predominantly black people, voiced their opinion. Many were dumbfounded and enraged over the ruling and demanded justice. According to Pew Research Center, the Black Lives Matter hashtag was only used 5,016 times on Twitter in the second half of 2013 (Anderson). The hashtag didn’t become fully charged until the shooting of Michael Brown. After that, it became a movement for the voice of the unheard blacks in America.

            On August 9, 2014, an eighteen-year-old unarmed black male, Michael Brown, was shot and killed by an officer named Darren Wilson. Wilson is a white police officer from Ferguson, Missouri. After the shooting, protests and riots raided the streets. Stores were broken into and looted. Following the shooting, the hashtag was used 58,747 times per day in three weeks after Brown’s death (Anderson) and Black Lives Matter members organized their first in-person protest. On November 24, 2014, Wilson was not indicted for the shooting of Michael Brown. The next day, the Black Lives Matter hashtag was used 172,772 times and 1.7 million times the following 3 weeks (Anderson).

            As Black Lives Matter grew, so did many misconceptions about the movement. People who are against it uses the argument of, all lives matter. “All Lives Matter” also became a hashtag where people voiced their distaste over how one race was being valued over another and how, like the hashtag says, all lives should matter. What those people fail to remember or decide to block out is Black Lives Matter’s actual intention of their movement, “#BlackLivesMatter doesn’t mean your life isn’t important–it means that Black lives, which are seen as without value within White supremacy, are important to your liberation.” (Black Lives Matter). Other variations of the “group name” Lives Matter hashtag is #bluelivesmatter. Blue Lives Matter stands for the lives of police officers and the violence towards them. Blue Lives Matter was created because an increasingly number of citizens fail to accept responsibilities for their actions and places their blame on law enforcement due to them being easy targets (Blue Lives Matter).

            People come up with many arguments against Black Lives Matter. One major argument that comes up is the lack of discussion on black-on-black crime. Writer and activist Franchesca Ramsey says, “Black Lives Matter isn’t solely focused on the loss of black lives but also on a lack of justice” (Hafner). The lack of justice lies when it’s a police officer that takes the life of a black person whereas a black-on-black crime would get carried out regularly. It is much harder to get a police officer indicted because of the status they hold.

            As people in society, we cannot ignore the mistreatment of black lives. No sides are needed to be picked when fighting against the injustices. People must stay informed for the voices who are wanting to be heard. People need stand beside the oppressed in order for the country to progress into one that provides fair treatment for all its people.

Works Cited

Alvarez, Lizette, and Cara Buckley. “Zimmerman Is Acquitted in Trayvon Martin Killing.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 13 July 2013, www.nytimes.com/2013/07/14/us/george-zimmerman-verdict-trayvon-martin.html.

Anderson, Monica, and Paul Hitlin. “3. The Hashtag #BlackLivesMatter Emerges: Social Activism on Twitter.” Pew Research Center: Internet, Science &Amp; Tech, Pew Research Center, 15 Aug. 2016, www.pewinternet.org/2016/08/15/the-hashtag-blacklivesmatter-emerges-social-activism-on-twitter/.

Boedeker, Hal et al. “George Zimmerman Trial Juror Tells ABC: He 'Got Away with Murder'.” Orlando Sentinel, Orlando Sentinel, 26 July 2013, www.orlandosentinel.com/news/trayvon-martin-george-zimmerman/os-george-zimmerman-juror-b29-speaks-20130725-story.html.

Bosman, Julie, and Emma G. Fitzsimmons. “Grief and Protests Follow Shooting of a Teenager.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 10 Aug. 2014, www.nytimes.com/2014/08/11/us/police-say-mike-brown-was-killed-after-struggle-for-gun.html.

Cobb, Jelani. “The Matter of Black Lives.” The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2016, www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/03/14/where-is-black-lives-matter-headed.

Cullors, Patrisse et al. “About the Black Lives Matter Network.” Black Lives Matter, Black Lives Matter, blacklivesmatter.com/about/.

Day, Elizabeth. “#BlackLivesMatter: the Birth of a New Civil Rights Movement.” The Observer, Guardian News and Media, 19 July 2015, www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/19/blacklivesmatter-birth-civil-rights-movement.

Demby, Gene. “Combing Through 41 Million Tweets To Show How #BlackLivesMatter Exploded.” NPR, NPR, 2 Mar. 2016, www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2016/03/02/468704888/combing-through-41-million-tweets-to-show-how-blacklivesmatter-exploded.

“George Zimmerman Juror B-29 Says 'My First Vote Was Second-Degree Murder' in 'GMA Interview.” YouTube, ABC News, 26 July 2013, www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQb-_BebVHA.

Hafner, Josh. “Why Black Lives Matter Doesn't Focus on 'Black-on-Black' Crime.” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 27 July 2016, www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2016/07/27/why-doesnt-black-lives-matter-doesnt-focus-talk-about-black-black-crime/87609692/.

“The 2016 Florida Statutes: Justifiable Use of Force.” Online Sunshine, The Florida Legislature, 22 Nov. 2016, www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799%2F0776%2FSections%2F0776.013.html.

“Organization.” Blue Lives Matter, Blue Lives Matter, 2016, bluelivesmatter.blue/organization/.

Research prompt

There are several reasons for your research project. First, it’s an opportunity to become familiar with the amazing resources of the Cerritos College Library. This is probably your first experience using the library’s databases, but you’ll use them more and more as your continue your education. Once, students and researchers were limited to the books and periodicals that were physically in a building. Now, information is organized and searchable.

You will practice and refine your search skills; specifically, with the exception of Google Scholar, you will not use Google or any of the mainstream search engines. You must learn to search using academic search engines; you’ll practice using various search terms; and you’ll develop skills that will be essential to your academic future.

You will also learn how and why to use MLA citation and format style, including in-text citations.

Your project will concentrate on the challenges facing Vietnamese immigrants to the U.S. during the 10 year period after the end of the Vietnam War. You will have the choice of two topics:
1. The resettlement policies of the U.S. government to Vietnamese immigrants who arrived in 1975 and then in 1978-80 (the so-called “boat people.”)
2. Explore the challenges facing the Vietnamese-America children whose parents arrived between 1975-80. Some of these stories were not published until later; but they should refer to those years when they first came in contact with American culture. You’ll find academic as well as first person material of the sort that Lac Su wrote (but you can’t use that book).

You must use at least five sources: one book (digital or hard copy), one scholarly journal, one newspaper or magazine, one website, and one video.

Your paper will be 2,000 words long. You will use Times New Roman, 12 point type, and MLA format and citation rules. The paper is due in-class at the final exam.

Example of literary essay

Student

Mr. Tompkins

English 100

November 12, 2016

Real Family Ties

            The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, is driven by tortured family relationships. Some are shaped by collisions of culture and class, others by the unfortunate differences that occur between family and friends. The book has many examples of traditions that worked in Afghanistan but don't in America, as well as problems between parents and kids that probably are universal. Amir's relationship with his father as well as Soraya with her father show the reader just how troubled they can get. Tradition, gender, honor, and pride are key factors to what twists up their relationship with their parents.

          As you read the book, you can’t help notice the similarities between Amir and Soraya. One major similarity is their parents. Both of their fathers worked in important jobs and held high social status in Kabul. Amir’s father was a businessman and Soraya’s father was a general. They were even well acquainted before moving the United States. Both wanted decent careers for their children. Baba insisted for Amir to pursue for a career in the medical or law field, General Taheri wished the same for his daughter. But despite their parent’s efforts, Amir and Soraya decided to take other career paths. Amir wanted to be a writer and Soraya a teacher. Each child has greatly disappointed their fathers. Amir when he had Hassan fight his battles for him and Soraya when she fled with her boyfriend and possibly causing her mother’s stroke. As a result of their past mistakes, both Amir and Soraya have lived with the guilt.

          Despite the similarities shared by Amir and Soraya, tradition is a major issue that separates the two.  For one, gender plays a big role in shaping a relationship. Soraya, being a woman, is not entitled to the same liberties as men are according to Afghan culture. One example of this is when Amir sees Soraya in the flea market and begins to talk with her. Soraya then brings up how she heard he was a storyteller. Amir was taken by surprise by this and questioned if her father had been the one who told her. But then put that thought to rest as he explained how Afghan men do not speak of single men in front of their daughters, whereas men could speak of single women.

            There didn’t seem to be a problem when Amir was talking about Soraya to his father. Baba explained how Soraya’s father is a Pashtun, which means he has too much pride and honor to talk about single men in the presence of wives or daughters. One could say he is a traditionalist where Amir’s father seems to be lenient when it comes to old fashion ways, like how he drinks and is not a strong believer in God.  Another difference between the genders is that women are looked down upon when having sex with men, while men seem to not be dishonored. This was the case at Soraya’s cousin’s wedding when Soraya overhears two women talking behind her back. They were saying how the groom picked a good and “pure” bride, not like her cousin. Soraya cries to Amir about the ludicrous fact that the men have slept with numerous women and yet they are not talked bad about.

          As the characters grow, so does their relationship with their parents. From the beginning of the book, when Amir is in his childhood, he feels distant from his father and his father feels the same way. He once said, “Had I not seen him come out of his mother’s whom with my own eyes, I would think he is not my son.” Baba compares him to his other son Hassan and says how he sees more potential in Hassan than Amir. Amir and Baba have quarreled over Amir’s stubbornness. When Amir asks his father if he would ever consider getting new servants, Baba snapped at him and had become ashamed of his son. Another time they butted heads was when they were fleeing from Kabul and had arrived at the checkpoint. There, Baba confronted a Russian soldier and stood his ground against him in defense of a woman. Amir worried his father would die and pleaded for him to sit back down. Baba then turns to Amir in frustration and asked him if he had taught him nothing.  

            Things seem to be this way until Baba and Amir settle in America. When Amir graduated from high school, Baba took Amir to a bar and bought him a Ford Gran Torino. It is here where we begin to see a shift in the father-son relationship. Amir feels a kind of respect from his father, and he also feels love. Their relationship shifts ever more when Baba is diagnosed with cancer. When Baba collapses in the flea market and Amir runs to his side saying, “Your son is right here.” After this incident, Amir and Baba grow in their relationship. Amir looked after Baba, taking care of his medical and personal needs. Baba even did the honorable act by knocking on the door of Soraya’s father to ask permission for Amir and Soraya to get married. We see that at first, Soraya’s father is hesitant to have Amir be with his daughter. In the flea market, when Amir presents Soraya with a roll filled with his stories, General Taheri showed up and threw the roll in the garbage. General Taheri seems to be very protective of his daughter, probably due to her past history. Ever since Soraya ran away with her boyfriend, acting against her parent’s beliefs, Soraya had been a bit of an outcast. Taheri also put a strict requirement for a suitor. But eventually General Taheri warms up to Amir and Soraya and allows them to marry.

          The relationship between Soraya and her father and the relationship between Amir and his father are dictated by many factors. Though there are a few similarities shared by the two families, tradition seems to be the key element that makes them dissimilar. And as the characters grow, we see that their connection with their parents softens.

The truth about folks who read

Why you should read (seriously)

Essay 2: Literary Analysis of City of Thieves

Write a four-to five-page literary analysis essay on the topic from the list below.  A literary analysis asserts an interpretation of a literary work and supports that interpretation with analysis of specific examples and details from the text of the literary work.

"[My grandfather] talked about his childhood, about the war, about coming to America. But mostly he talked about one week in 1942, the first week of the year, the week he met my grandmother, made his best friend, and killed two Germans." David Benioff, City of Thieves

Is it ironic that war - the insane, murderous collision of men and deadly machines that has marked society since the ancient Greeks began to record history - generates the other extreme of human behaviour? Does cruelty provoke its opposite, tenderness and a realization that salvation lies in our shared destiny? Most of us can't answer that from first-hand experience, but if experience was the only way to learn about the world we'd be in trouble. In City of Thieves, David Benioff brings us to Leningrad in 1942, and introduces us to Lev Beniov, 17 years old, born and raised in "Pita." In that one week, Lev learned about war, about courage, about friendship, and about love.

1. Your assignment is to examine that first week of 1942. Find the horrors - hunger-weakened doctors treating casualties nightly without anesthesia; starving citizens dying on their neighborhood sidewalks; young women raped nightly by German officers; Russian prisoners executed because they could read and many others. Then, examine the other side of this coin by examining the world of Lev and Kolya, which - despite the insanity around them - is bursting with curiousity, discovery and an appreciation of life. Theirs is an unlikely friendship, but it's forged in these incredible circumstances. Explain the relationship between the loss of humanity on one hand, and heroism and self-sacrifice on the other. How did all this produce the rich, lifelong friendship?

2. At the beginning of the novel, Lev is a scared teenager, too shy to tell Vera he likes her, but by the end of the book he shows he is capable of acts of both bravery and calculation. How does Kolya help Lev develop as a young man?

Facts of the Siege of Leningrad

Hidden horrors of Siege of Leningrad

The History.com summation of Seige of Leningrad

The Siege of Leningrad