Instructions: Gather information about an American author whose writing you enjoy. When conducting your research, a minimum of three sources must be used, of which only one can be from the Internet. A minimum of one print media source must be used. Only a justifiable reason for variance, approved in advance by the grading teacher, will be allowed for changes in the sources requirement. Use of more than three sources is encouraged. Take notes that include the location of each source (see MLA guidelines). Source information will be used in the parenthetical (in-text) citation in the text and in the works-cited page.

Develop an outline for the information that you have found. Remember that your outline must be in standard format and must be organized according to the degree of importance that each idea holds. Refer to the lesson material as necessary.

Outline Construction Instructions: Construct your outline for your research project. Be sure to include your thesis statement in the outline. Remember that the more detail you have in your outline, the more direction you will have and the more confident you will be as you write. Proper indentation of the divisions and subpoints is required. Be sure to use parallel construction when writing your subpoints. Use proper outline format as shown in the example below:

Thesis statement: thesis statement here

I. First main point goes here

A. First subpoint goes here; supports main point above
1. Fact that supports above subpoint
2. Fact that supports above subpoint
B. Second subpoint goes here; supports main point above
1. Fact that supports above subpoint
2. Fact that supports above subpoint
II. Second main point goes here
A. First subpoint goes here; supports main point above
1. Fact that supports above subpoint
2. Fact that supports above subpoint
B. Second subpoint goes here; supports main point above
1. Fact that supports above subpoint
2. Fact that supports above subpoint
Revise your final outline as necessary. Develop a biographical paper on your selected author that is 300-500 words in length. The paper must correlate with your outline.

Proper MLA in-text citation must be used in the paper when citing sources used (see MLA guidelines).

Review and edit your paper for mechanics, smooth transitions, and other writing conventions.

Grading: This project will be graded based on the following:

your attention to the instructions above
development of an appropriate, standard outline
how well the report coordinates with the outline
proper use of MLA citation and works-cited format
word count, as stated in the instructions
use of proper punctuation, spelling, grammar, and sentence construction (commonly called conventions) and proper paragraphing