3. Assignment
Write a research paper with a strong thesis statement.
Identify purpose and audience, and determine
appropriate tone for a research paper.
Use evidence gained from research to support the
thesis.
Use an appropriate pattern of organization and
appropriate transitions between paragraphs.
Include citations within the body of a research paper
and full citations on a Works Cited page.
Use complete sentences and correct
capitalization, punctuation, and spelling.
4. Choosing a Topic
Look around.
~ What interests you?
~ What questions do you have about the world
around you?
~ What’s in the news?
~ What subject do you enjoy in school?
~ What are your hobbies?
Brainstorm a list of topic ideas.
Choose and narrow a topic for a
research paper.
5. Questions
Write a list of questions about your topic.
You may already know the answers to some
questions. Others should be questions to
which you would like to learn the answers.
With those questions in mind, you will be
ready to begin your research process.
6. Finding Information
Use the card catalog and the computer catalog.
Use non-circulating materials.
Use the Readers' Guide to Periodical Literature and/or
other indexes.
Use the Internet.
Make bibliography cards for all print and non-print
sources.
7. Take Notes
You will find it easier to write your research paper if
you take plenty of good notes.
You will be able to pick and choose from among your
cards to use the information that best develops your
topic.
To take good notes, you will need to use a separate
note card for each piece of information.
8. Take Notes
At the top left of the card, write the subtopic.
At the top right, list the author and page number of
the source.
In the main text of the note, write down the important
points.
You may either paraphrase, or quote directly from the source. If you
quote directly, make sure to write the exact words and put them in
quotation marks. When you write your research paper, you will
need to give credit to any sources you quote or to any paraphrases
in which you change only a few words.
11. Organize
Organize note cards.
Write a thesis statement.
Determine a pattern of organization.
Make a formal outline.
12. Outline
Main topics follow
Roman numerals and
periods.
Subtopics follow capital
letters and periods.
Specific details follow
Arabic numerals and
periods.
More information about
the specific details
follows lowercase letters
and periods.
13. First Draft
5-7 double-spaced pages, or approximately 1,500-2,100
words.
Cite research information.
Check spelling, grammar and punctuation.
Re-read the entire essay before turning it in.
Wait for feedback before writing the final draft!
REMEMBER:
Write a research paper with a strong thesis statement.
Identify purpose and audience, and determine appropriate
tone for a research paper.
Use evidence gained from research to support the thesis.
Use an appropriate pattern of organization and appropriate
transitions between paragraphs.
14. Due Dates
Choosing a Topic – Due 3/9 (15 pts)
Formal Outline – Due 3/16 (100 pts)
First Draft – Due 3/22 ** (300 pts)
Final Draft – Due 3/30 (400 pts)
**NOTE: While you are waiting for your first draft to be
corrected, complete the Day 36 – Day 40 lessons.
