11(1) Composition
Editorial/Practice Research Outline
The purpose of the assignment is three-fold:
1) to refine our persuasive/argumentation writing
2) to learn and practice skills that you will use when you write your research paper
3) to test out/sample a potential research-paper topic
The BIG picture:
--You will research a social issue that MATTERS to you.
--You will conduct research on the topic using SIRS database and an additional website
--You will create a thesis statement/claim in which you state a debatable position on the issue.
--You will create an annotated bibliography of your four sources. (More info to come)
--You will create an outline of your argument. (More info to come)
--You will turn one section of the outline into a body paragraph that would appear in the essay
(More info to come).
Phase one: Choosing a topic. Gathering sources and data.
1.Go to our library’s webpage; select “use the databases;” select SIRS Knowledge Source: on
the top right, you will see “Pro vs. Con: Leading Issues.” Select “more issues” to see a
comprehensive list of timely social issues. If you are completing this step outside of school, use
the following login information: Login I.D.: PA19964 Password: 19063
2.Look through the comprehensive list and select an issue that matters to you.
3.Click on the issue you’ve selected. On the left-hand side of the page for your issue is
a section titled, “At Issue:Your Topic.” Click on the “more…” link at the bottom of the
paragraph to access a reference page about your topic.
a. Create a document entitled Annotated Bibliography: Editorial. Share it with
me (mkirk@rtmsd.net).
b. Copy and and paste the MLA citation of this source into the document
c. Read the overview. Take notes on your index cards, one idea per card,
writing the author’s last name and, if applicable, any page number (see
handout)
i.
DIRECT QUOTES: You MAY record, word for word, powerful quotes.
MAKE SURE to surround them with quotation marks. If the quotes are
attributed to a specific person or group, be sure to record that person or
group’s name. (TURN PAGE)
ii. SUMMARY: If the wording of the source is not powerful or important, or if
you want to reduce a longer passage/idea, you should summarize the
information. Summarizing involves changing the diction (word choice)
and syntax (structure) of the original source into your own style.
Summarizing is NOT a good choice when you are just changing a word or
two. Summarizing is a good choice when you are summarizing a longer
idea or translating into language more understandable to your audience.
4. On a separate index card, record the “PRO/CON ESSENTIAL QUESTION” listed on
the SIRS page OR ONE of the “Critical thinking/Analysis Questions” at the bottom of the page.
Choose the question you’d like to investigate. Your choice will dictate what sources you use.
5. Select one article listed under the “YES” column of the essential question. (Scan a few before
committing to one.) Once you commit to the article, do the following:
a. Copy and paste the MLA citation of the article into your “Annotated Bibliography” document
b. Read the article, taking notes as you did in 3.c.
i. Label the upper left corner or the card “Yes” to indicate this information answers your
research question affirmatively
6. Select one article listed under the “No” column of the essential question.
(Scan a few before committing to one.) Once you commit to the article, do the following:
a. Copy and paste the MLA citation of the article into your “Annotated Bibliography” document.
b. Read the article, taking notes on index cards as you did in 3.c.
ii. Label the upper left corner or the card “No” to indicate this information answers your
research question negatively.
7. Now, find a credible website that contains information on your topic. Look for the website of an
organization or group that would be affiliated with your topic. You’re looking for a “BIG NAME,” not just
an overview presented by someone with no affiliation. The information in your other sources should
provide you with some ideas (Look at your sources’ sources).
a. Fill out the source evaluation sheet
b. Create a FLAWLESS MLA citation of the website and add it to your annotated bibliography
document.
c. Using index cards, take some notes from the site.
i. Label each note “yes” or “no” depending on if it supports or refutes your essential
research question.
WHAT YOU SHOULD HAVE COMPLETED AT THIS POINT:
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At this point your Annotated Bibliography page should contain four sources (SIRS
overview, SIRS “yes” article, SIRS “no” article, and a website)
You should have at least ten note cards (pieces of information from sources) plus a
card that states the essential research question.