THE RESEARCH PAPER

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THE RESEARCH PAPER

• Let the journey begin..

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What is a research paper?

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

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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?

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Writing a thesis statement

• A specific subject
• a particular stand, feeling, or feature

an effective thesis statement
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Thesis Checklist

• Identifies a limited, specific subject

• Meets the requirements of assignment

• Focuses on a particular feature or feeling
  about a subject

• Supported with convincing facts and details

• Stated in a clear, direct sentence (or sentences)

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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
  persons peer group. (POSITION)

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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.

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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
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Information PACKAGES

• Personal sources
• Books
• Reference works
• Periodicals
• Audiovisual
• Electronic Mail
• Government or business publications

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Information PLACES

• Libraries
• Computer resources
• Mass media
• Learning sites
• Government
• Research sites
• Conference sites
• Workplace

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EVALUATINGthe INFORMATION

• Is the information current?
• Is the information complete?
• Is the information accurate?
• Is the source an expert?
• Is your source biased?

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Bibliography Cards

• Use to keep track of sources
• Organize by authors last name
• Number each entry in the upper right hand corner
  of the card

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Note cards

• Note cards
• Record details, information, quotations
• Record page number where information can be found
• Use descriptive word or heading at top

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Writing the draft

• When you are writing nonfiction, theres no use
  getting into a writing schedule until youve done
  the research and you have the material.
• -Tom Wolfe

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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
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1. Developing your introduction-

2. Writing the body-
3. Writing the conclusion-
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4. Revising-
5. Proofreading and Editing-
6. MLA Documentation-
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Giving proper credit

• MLA documentation
• Writers Inc.

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AVOIDING PLAGIARISM
-the act of presenting someone elses ideas as
your own.
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Final copy requirements-

• Title page
• Outline
• Heading
• Page numbering
• Body
• Works Cited

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Example of a completed research paper
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Grading Rubric