THE RESEARCH PAPER

1. THE RESEARCH PAPER Let the journey begin…..

2. What is a research paper? • A research paper is a carefully planned essay that shares information or proves a point.

3. Choosing a topic • Am I truly interested in the subject? • Does it meet the requirements of the assignment? • Do I have access to enough information? • Is the subject limited enough?

4. Writing a thesis statement… A specific subject + a particular stand, feeling, or feature = an effective thesis statement

5. Thesis Checklist b. Meets the requirements of assignment a. Identifies a limited, specific subject c. Focuses on a particular feature or feeling about a subject d. Supported with convincing facts and details e. Stated in a clear, direct sentence (or sentences)

6. A thesis statement should not be the following… • A. too broad • B. too wordy • C. too general example: Music is good. • D. a fact example: it is 35 degrees. • E. a title example: ‘the cost of living.’

7. Sample thesis: Writing assignment: Research paper about social issue Subject: Homeless people Thesis statement: Who are the homeless (SUBJECT) and what are the reasons for their predicament?(FEATURE) Writing assignment: Research paper about human growth and development Subject: Personality traits Thesis statement: Certain personality traits(SUBJECT) are shaped primarily by the person’s peer group. (POSITION)

8. Searching Tips • Begin by writing some basic questions that you would like to answer in you report. • Any time you find information that answers a question, take notes on it.

9. TYPES of INFORMATION • An original source: Diary Person Event Survey Etc. • Not an original source: Magazine article Web site Encyclopedia, journal, etc. Documentary PRIMARY SECONDARY

10. Information PACKAGES • Personal sources • Books • Reference works • Periodicals • Audiovisual • Electronic Mail • Government or business publications

11. Information PLACES • Libraries • Computer resources • Mass media • Learning sites • Government • Research sites • Conference sites • Workplace

12. EVALUATINGthe INFORMATION • Is the information current? • Is the information complete? • Is the information accurate? • Is the source an expert? • Is your source biased?

13. Use to keep track of sources Organize by author’s last name Number each entry in the upper right hand corner of the card 5 Olsen, Shawn M. Chocolate Lover’s Guide. Hayti: Charger Publishing, 1987. Bibliography Cards

14. 5 Delicious ways to enjoy chocolate -a handful of chocolate chips -chocolate ice cream with Hershey's syrup -“Chocolate/chocolate cake at Café is the BEST!” -Ghiradelli hot chocolate -homemade brownies Note cards: • Note cards: • Record details, information, quotations • Record page number where information can be found • Use descriptive word or heading at top

15. Writing the draft • “When you are writing nonfiction, there’s no use getting into a writing schedule until you’ve done the research and you have the material.” -Tom Wolfe

16. Getting started... Arrange your note cards into their most logical order. Construct an outline---a writing plan Search for any additional information needed to develop thesis

17. Developing your introduction- 2. Writing the body- 3. Writing the conclusion-

18. 4. Revising- 5. Proofreading and Editing- 6. MLA Documentation-

19. Giving proper credit MLA documentation Writer’s Inc.

20. AVOIDING PLAGIARISM -the act of presenting someone else’s ideas as your own.

21. Final copy requirements- • Title page • Outline • Heading • Page numbering • Body • Works Cited

22. Example of a completed research paper

23. Grading Rubric