Research Papers: Research, Writing and Attribution

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Research PapersResearch, Writing and Attribution

• Mr. Oberholtzer
• K-212

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Research Papers

• Research Paper is a formal document based on
  research that provides new insight into a topic
  or subject area.
• A Research Paper is written according to the MLA
  format with a thesis statement that is proven.

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What Do I Write About?

• The Topic should be of interest to you
• The Topic should be within your abilities
• There should be enough information available in
  the IMC to complete the paper. Do some
  preliminary research!

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Narrow Your Topic

• Once you have a general topic, choose a specific
  sub-topic or narrow area of interest to write
  about.
• Select a discrete part of the general topic to be
  the specific topic you are writing about
• Needs to fit within the confines of 5 pages!

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Thesis Statement

• After preliminary research, write a preliminary
  thesis statement.
• Thesis statement is the organizing idea behind
  your paper
• It is a declarative statement that sets out what
  you are proving in the body of your paper.
• You will probably change it once or twice in the
  process!

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Research Strategy

• General Encyclopedia start with the index, look
  for overview articles, lists of subject headings
  also, look at General Reference sources
  available.
• Card Catalog use subject headings to find
  relevant books your primary resource!

• Periodical and Newspaper Indexes look up the
  Readers Guide to Periodical Literature, New York
  Times Index, literary indexes
• Computer-related resources databases online and
  on CD-ROM

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Bibliography Cards

• Every resource must have a corresponding
  bibliography card
• Fill out the card as you research
• Use the bibliography cards to write your Works
  Cited page at the conclusion of your paper.

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Notecards

• Use Notecards to record your vital information
• Each Notecard has a main idea or slug line,
  followed by body of notes
• Page of source is recorded on the bottom right
  of card

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The Process

• Preliminary Research and Preliminary Thesis
  Statement
• Exhaustive Research and creation of notecards
• Thesis Statement revision
• Outline Creation
• Rough Draft written from notecards
• Final Draft turned in with all cards, internet
  resources and outlines