February 24, 2024
Texas State University, San Marcos
researchPaperRule

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Research Paper Critique Sheet

Please click the link below to down load the Research Paper Critique Sheet.

Research Paper Critique Sheet – Virtual Event

Research Paper Rules

You must submit your entry no later than one week before the contest. Websites will be updated each year to reflect the submission due dates.  Instructions for uploading the entry will be published on the contest website and/or distributed to teachers each year. Specific instructions for labeling the entries with name(s), school, event, and title(s) (if appropriate) are included in the individual event rules.

Entry Limit:  1 research paper per school, with 1-2 authors

Length Limits:  minimum 700 words, maximum 1000 words, not including Works Cited

Write a research paper in English on an interesting German-Texan cultural and/or historical topic. The topic should not be commonly known:  a particular person, family, place, building, business, area, group, settlement, organization, church, tradition, activity, practice, etc. The paper should contribute to a greater understanding of German-Texan history and/or culture. The entry must be typed and double-spaced and have internal documentation with proper in-text citation and a Works Cited page, as per MLA (Modern Language Association) guidelines. Follow the rules in the latest MLA Style Sheet, paying special attention to rules for entering Internet sources. Use at least three sources, at least two of which must be non-Internet. Digitally archived sources originally published in hard copy may be counted as non-Internet sources. Sources should include primary sources and secondary sources. Primary sources are evidence in the form of artifacts, photos, letters, interviews, music, charts, illustrations, etc. with a direct connection to the era being studied. They may be personally documented by the contestant(s) (photos taken, interviews recorded) or found in personal collections, archives, libraries, museums, etc. Secondary sources are documents that discuss or analyze primary sources and topics – primarily other academic work.All entries will be checked for plagiarism via turnitin.com or a similar service.

Submission Process:

1. Using MLA Style, include your name(s), your school, the date, and the title of the paper at the top of page 1.

2. To include photographs, other images, and/or audio materials, add an appendix after the Works Cited page. Images may be pasted directly into the document. Audio files should be linked, e.g., via a Google Drive link. 

3. Convert the completed research paper, including the Works Cited and any appendix, to a single PDF file and upload it according to the instructions provided.

Upcoming

Feb. 9, 2024
State online registration due by 11:59 p.m. in order to qualify for early-bird price of $12 per student. Online registrations submitted after this point incur the regular registration fee of $15 per student.

Feb. 14, 2024
State online registration due by 11:59 p.m. (regular deadline). Also, postmark deadline for State payment, regardless of whether you completed your online registration by the early-bird or the regular deadline.

Feb. 17, 2024
Digital Event submissions due by 9:00 a.m.

Mary El-Beheri Memorial Scholarship applications due by 9:00 a.m.

Important Dates

Feb. 24, 2024
Texas State German Contest, 42nd Anniversary, Texas State University, San Marcos

Mar. 10, 2024
Gail Cope Scholarship applications due

Anytime during the school year August 1, 2023 - April 30, 2024
Spring Teacher Grant applications due

February 22, 2025
Texas State German Contest 2025

Contact Us

Texas State German Contest Director
Jennifer Christianson

Sprachfest/TSGC Mailing Address
Texas State German Contests, Inc.
PO Box 2043
Boerne, TX 78006

Onsite Directors
Dr. Ewa Siwak & Dr. Valentina Glajar
Dept. of Modern Languages
601 University Drive
San Marcos, TX 78666

TX State University Maps