Name____________________________________Period________Date_____________
Inspirational Survivor Research Paper
What are the steps to writing a research paper?
1. Choose a person who has survived a tragic event.
2. Go to the library and take NOTES on the following information:
Main Point I: Who is the inspirational survivor? (background information)
Main Point 2: What has he or she survived? (explain in detail the event they
survived)
Main Point3: What has the survivor done after the accident or event? What
contributions has he or she made?
3. THESIS STATEMENT. A thesis statement is the one (1) sentence you will prove in
your research paper. (It cannot be a fact.)
EXAMPLE:
_____________________________has survived __________________________.
__________________used his or her experience and/to ____________________
_______________________________________is the most inspirational person
because___________________________________________________________.
The following is a list of survivors you can choose from:
John McCain-prisoner of war. Presidential candidate.
Sully Sullenberger- he successfully executed emergency
water landing of airplane in the Hudson River after the
aircraft had been disabled by striking a flock geese.
Sulllenberger is an international speaker on airline safety
and has helped develop new protocols for airline safety.
Gabrielle Gifford-was a victim of a shooting which was
reported to be an assassination attempt on her. She is a
motivational speaker.
Aron Ralston - mountain climber and inspirational public
speaker, who was forced to amputate his own right arm with
a dull pocketknife in order to free himself from a dislodged
boulder
Lauren Scruggs- Dallas-area model and fashion blogger,
accidentally walked into a plane propeller. Author and
blogger. Prompts inner beauty.
Maria Belon- a Spanish tourist who was lounging by a pool
in Thailand along with her husband and three young sons
when the tsunami hit. Survived and helped others.
Melissa Stockwell- triathlete, Iraq War Vet, leg amputee.
Motivational speaker.
Jason Lester- Ultra-Endurance Athlete, hit by a car at age
12, paralyzed right arm. Author and motivational speaker.
Lexi Youngberg- Lexi Youngberg was a key player on her
Chicago high school team -- until a boating accident cost a
friend his life and Lexi her leg below the knee. After
months of rehab, she returned to the soccer field.
Captain Richie Phillips- is an American merchant mariner
and author who served as captain of the MV Maersk
Alabama during its hijacking by Somali pirates
Kaitlin Roig-DeBellis- helped save her students' lives
during the Sandy Hook Shooting. She launched Classes 4
Classes, a nonprofit that lets elementary school classes
sponsor educational gifts for other classrooms.
Sydney Corcoran-is a teenage girl who was injured during
the Boston marathon. Her story is one of resilience and
shows the incredible bond between mother and daughter.
Adrianne Haslet- Professional ballroom dancer. She was a
victim of the Boston bombing. Back on the dance floor after
losing her limbs.
Paul Templer –African safari guide attacked by hippo.
motivational speaker.
Mike Utley-NFL football player paralyzed, does work for
spinal cord injury victims.
Kevin Pearce -American Snowboarder who suffered a
serious traumatic brain injury. He returned to snowboarding.
Promotes helmet safety.
J.R. Martinez- sustained severe burns to over 34 percent of
his body while serving in the Army. Since his recovery, he
has traveled around the country speaking about his
experiences to corporations, veterans groups, schools and
other organizations.
Amy Purdy- is an actress, snowboarder, co-founder of
Adaptive Action Sports and spokesperson for the Challenged
Athletes Foundation. She lost both her legs after she was
infected with bacterial meningitis.
Matthias Lanzinger- is an Alpine skier. Following his
accident and leg amputation, he became a Paralympian.
Evan Strong- is an American Para-snowboard cross. Strong
was hit by a speeding, oncoming car which resulted in the
amputation of his left leg below the knee
Malala Yousafzai- is a Pakistani school pupil and education
activist. She is known for her activism for rights to education
and for women. She was a victim of an assassination
attempt.
Paige Rawl- A teen living with HIV and how she dealt with
her diagnosis and bullies. Motivational speaker.
Louis Zamperini- was an American prisoner of war survivor
in World War II, a Christian inspirational speaker, and an
Olympic distance runner.
Chris Kyle- was a United States Navy SEAL and the most
lethal sniper in U.S. military history. He helped other
soldier’s overcome PTSD
Noah Galloway-is a military veteran and double amputee.
He has become a motivational speaker and joined the cast of
Dancing with the Stars.
Krishna Thompson-was attacked by a shark and lost his leg.
He shares his experience with audiences and other amputees
as a testimony to the strength of the human spirit and the
sheer will to survive.
Note: If you find someone that is not on the list, you must get approval.
Each part of the research paper project will be collected and graded.
Assignment:
Due Date
Grade
Complete
(check box when
completed)
#1. Contract Sheet Signed (both student and
parent signature, return one copy)
#2. Thesis Statement
100 quiz grade
#3. Highlighted sources
(minimum 4 articles)
#4. Outline (typed)
100 quiz grade
#5. Work-cited Page (typed)
100 quiz grade
#6. Final Paper (including work-cited page)
200 points
100 quiz grade
100 quiz grade
TEN POINTS PER DAY WILL BE DEDUCTED FOR LATE SUBMISSION FOR EACH
ASSIGNEMENT. (INCLUDING WEEKENDS & HOLIDAYS)
Research Paper Signed Contract
All due dates are listed above. Students and parents should review and note these dates, as late
assignments will receive grade penalties. All assignments must be submitted on time, no exceptions. Ten
(10) points will be deducted each day your assignments are late. Each assignment will be graded.
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Remember, writing is a process. Therefore, you may not turn in #5 if you still have not submitted #3.
You are expected to follow this schedule and show me the assigned work in order.
My child ___________________________ (student’s name) and I have read and we understand the above
instructions, as well as, the timetable outlining the requirements for the research assignment
Parent’s Signature ________________________________Student’s Signature _________________________
Parent Print Name _______________________________ Student Print Name __________________________
To check the due dates or to contact me, please go to my website and follow the appropriate links. Thank you
for your help and cooperation. lciaffone@sewanhaka.k12.ny.us