GUIDELINES FOR THE SOPHOMORE
RESEARCH PROJECT
ENGLISH 10 -- SPRING 2012
The sophomore research project is a hybrid project serving two purposes:
1. It serves as an introduction to the skill of researching a topic and integrating the
information you find into an original research project.
2. It integrates an oral and technological component with the video portion of the
project.
Your task is to gather and present in your own words information pertaining to a topic of
particular interest to you.
The educational objectives of the research project include:

To find information from multiple sources, including written, oral and electronic sources,
on a particular topic.

To organize the information in a coherent video essay that demonstrates the ability to
paraphrase, summarize and quote the sources.

To properly and accurately cite the sources of information internally in the video essay
script and video, as well as in the credits of the video.

To demonstrate the ability to organize the gathered information through the use of index
cards, the outline, and drafts.
Hinko 2
Suggested topics include, but are not limited to: a career you might want to pursue; a hobby or
activity that interests you; colleges to which you might apply; a trip you would like to take;
participation in a particular sport or art; a major purchase such as a car, computer or instrument;
planning a particular event such as a wedding; a disease or medical condition you want to learn
more about; the lifestyle and practices of a present day culture that you want to learn more about;
a current human rights issue occurring somewhere in the world. The topic MUST be current;
this is not a history report. The topic must be approved by the teacher and cannot be
contradictory to the teachings of the Catholic Church or in violation of the law. This is not a
report about a person. It should benefit you to conduct research and learn more about your topic.
Choose something that interests you!
Students MUST:

Write a script for the video essay following the guidelines set forth in the final grading
rubric.

Properly cite all sources in the credits and on the works cited page. This must include at
least two printed sources, two electronic sources, one personal interview source for a
minimum of five sources. Additionally, due to the visual nature of the final product,
there must be a minimum of twenty image sources.

Include an introductory segment introducing your thesis statement, at least seven separate
sections of the video covering different aspects of your topic, and a concluding segment
which includes the credits.

On the script, type a header which includes your last name and the page number, such as
Yaworsky 1, at the top right hand side of each page not including the first page of the
script.

Follow the directions in class and other class resources for the format for the works cited
page and outline as well as the paper itself.
Hinko 3

Please note: Some requirements, such as index cards/lists, will be due before the final
video and script due date and will count as homework grades.
REQUIREMENTS
A. TEXT OF THE VIDEO ESSAY
TITLE: Give the video a suitable title.
INTRODUCTORY SEGMENT: Define the topic and give some factual background information
about it. You must introduce a thesis statement in this segment that makes a claim about the
topic that you will then pursue throughout the remainder of the video.
BODY SEGMENTS: Develop at least seven segments that inform the viewer about the topic and
support the thesis statement. Organize the information in a logical sequence. Each of the
required five sources must be referenced at least once using the proper captioning format
provided.
CONCLUDING SEGMENT: Restate the thesis, summarize the information from the body
segments and draw an overall conclusion.
B. OTHER PARTS
OPENING CREDITS: You should include opening credits which will include your name and the
title of your video.
STORYBOARD: You must submit a complete organizational storyboard. Template will be
provided.
Hinko 4
INDEX CARDS/LISTS: You must prepare a citation index card for each source listed on the
works cited page and at least four note taking cards for each of these sources.
INTERVIEW SHEET: This will be provided and must be completed.
SCRIPT: See handout for script requirements.
WORKS CITED PAGE: Works cited page must be included with the script. Proper format will
be discussed in class. You must have at least five sources (two print, two digital and one
interview). Additionally, you must incorporate and cite at least 20 images. All sources must be
cited at least once in the text of the video essay.
C. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Your video essay must be submitted in a DVD format. In case there are issues with your file,
please find an alternate way for the teacher to view your essay (ex: uploading your video to
YouTube, having it on a flash drive, etc.). If there are issues with the file and there is no
alternative way to view your video essay will be considered late.