The Founding Father’s Research Project
The research paper is a summary of what others have already said or written on a given subject. The
research paper is a presentation of facts that are 1) based upon reading or consulting several sources,
2) presented according to a standard procedure, and 3) limited to a relatively narrow phase of the
subject.
GENERAL OBJECTIVES:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
To
To
To
To
To
acquire knowledge about an unfamiliar topic.
build skills of using various library references.
develop thinking skills (the research process and organization of information).
follow precise directions.
practice writing skills.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
1.
The student will research a pre-selected topic. The information will be presented in a 3-5
page project which will follow specific guidelines.
2. The student will access a minimum of three (3) resources, only one of which can be Internet.
3. Students will do a minimum of 30 notecards.
4. The student will prepare a tentative outline before taking notes (see examples). The tentative
outline will be revised appropriately and the final outline will be submitted with the final
project.
.
State Library Resource
http://wyld.state.wy.us/mohs
Body of the Paper
Font
Use Times New Roman size 12. Anything larger will not be accepted.
Margins
Margins should be one (1) inch on the top, left, right, and bottom.
Indentations
The standard default on most computers is a reasonable indentation for a research paper.
Spacing
The body of the report should be double-spaced. Works Cited page should be spaced as described and
shown in examples. Make sure your paper is formatted correctly before you start.
Page Numbers
Page numbers should be found on all pages. Following MLA guidelines insert the page number and your
last name in the upper right header on the page.
DOCUMENT ALL DATES, NUMBERS, AND STATISTICS!!
Works Cited page
The Works Cited page should have the same margins as the rest of the paper. The title Works Cited
should be centered at the top of the page.
Entries should be in alphabetical order by author’s last name. The first line of each entry is keyed
at the left margin and all following lines are indented .5 inch. All entries are double spaced.
WORKS CITED PAGE EXPLANATION
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Title is “Works Cited.”
No abbreviations (except “ed. by”).
Alphabetize your sources by the first word .
Underline titles of books, magazines,
encyclopedias, etc…
Put quotes around the titles of pamphlet articles,
magazine articles, encyclopedia articles, etc…
Put a period between each piece of information.
If more than one line, indent.
Put a period at the end of each entry.
Single space each entry.
Double space between each entry
Works Cited
Brooks, John. New England Autumn.
Chicago: Doubleday and Company, 1982.
810.7.
“Dogs.” World Book Encyclopedia. 1985.
Volume 6. 139-146.
Holcomb, John, ed. A Guide to Careers.
New York: Scribner’s and Sons
Publishing Company,1985. 150-175.
Stevenson, Albert B. “Americans Find a
Buy.” Newsweek, April 9, 1986.
Volume 18. 11-20.
Example…
Start at the top of a new page.
HOW ARE YOU DOING?
QUESTIONS TO ASK ABOUT YOUR RESEARCH PAPER
GENERAL
1.
2.
Is the paper interesting and easy to read even if the subject is unfamiliar?
Have I given some of my own thoughts, ideas, or opinions in addition to the
information I got from my sources?
3.
Does the title arouse curiosity and accurately reflect the content of the paper?
TITLE
THESIS STATEMENT (Introduction)
4.
Is the thesis of the paper clear to the reader at the very start?
5.
Does the thesis statement limit and focus the paper as well as illustrate the purpose
of the paper?
6.
Does the thesis statement do one of the following: (a) clearly states the assertion
to be proven in the paper, (b) presents the problem that the paper is going to
concentrate on and suggests the solutions to be given, (c) set a context for the
report of current conditions on the subject, (d) pose the question that the essay
sets out to answer?
DEVELOPMENT AND ORGANIZATION
7.
Does everything in the paper relate to the thesis?
8.
Is there a logical order in the development of the paper?
9.
Are all the main points adequately supported with quotes and references? Are they
fully developed?
CONCLUSION
10.
Does the final paragraph or two pull the paper together by giving the reader a sense
of completeness and closure? Is the thesis reviewed, summarized, or referred back
to?
MECHANICS
11.
12.
13.
14.
Do you have transitions connecting the sections of your paper?
Are there any spelling errors?
Did you punctuate correctly?
Did you use accepted grammatical forms?
DOCUMENTATION
15.
Is there any plagiarism?
16.
Have you integrated your research material into the paper so that it does not sound
like a paste-up job of your note cards? Did you use enough sources (3)?
17.
Did you use parenthetical documentation to give credit to your sources? Remember,
all dates, numbers, and statistics must be documented. Direct quotes and
paraphrased material must be documented also.
OUTLINE EXAMPLES
Working Outline
Final Outline
The Frozen Tundra
The Frozen Tundra
Thesis Statement: The tundra is a frozen
and barren land that is home to many
species.
Thesis Statement: Although a desolate and
barren land, the frozen tundra is home to
many species.
I. Climate
A.
Winter
B.
Summer
I. Climate
II. Living Habitat
A.
Penguins
B.
Polar Bears
C.
Vegetation
II. Living Habitat
III. Scientific Discoveries
III. Scientific Discoveries
A.
Fossils
B.
Earth’s Atmosphere
Works Cited Card Samples
~ Book by one author ~
Brooks, John.
New England Autumn.
Chicago: Doubleday & Co, 1982.
Dewy
Decimal #
from book
810.7.
Author (last
name, first name
Title of book
Where published
Who published
Year published
~ A book by two authors ~
Brooks, John G., and Lynn B. Sagalyn.
Author 1 (last
name, first name)
Author 2 (first
name, last name
October Sky.
Title of book
Chicago: Doubleday & Co, 1982.
Dewy
Decimal #
from book
810.7.
~ A book with three or more authors
Where published
Who published
Year published
Lopez, Robert S., et al.
Civilizations: Western and World.
Boston: Little, 1975.
Dewy
Decimal #
from book
810.7.
Author (last
name, first name)
All others et. al.
Title of book
Where published
Who published
Year published
~ Book that is edited (reference books) ~
A Guide to Careers, ed. John Holcomb.
New York: Scribner’s & Sons Publishing,
1985.
pg. 150-175.
Title,
Name of Author
Where published
Who published
Year published
Pgs used for paper
~ Encyclopedia ~
“Dogs.”
World Book Encyclopedia, 1985.
Volume,
Pages used
Vol. 6, pg. 139-146.
Title of article
Name of
encyclopedia, latest
copyright date
~ Magazine or newspaper article ~
Stevenson, Albert B.
“Americans Find a Buy.”
Newsweek, April 9, 1986.
Volume #;
pages used
for paper
Vol. 18: pg. 11-20.
Author of article
Title of article
Title of magazine,
date and year
~ Interview ~
Haskvitz, Betsy.
Volleyball at North Dakota State University.
NDSU Campus, Fargo, ND.
Date of
Interview
Name of person
interviewed
Subject of Interview
Place of Interview
October 22, 2002.
~ Documentary/ Film ~
The Untamed Wilderness.
Warner Brothers and Company.
1998.
Type of
Format
viewed
VHS.
Title
Producer Company
Year produced
~ Unsigned Pamphlet ~
Name of
organization that
published pamphlet
General Motors Corporation.
“Power Goes to Work.”
Title of pamphlet
Detroit, Michigan; 1989.
Where published
RESEARCH PAPER
TAKING NOTES – NOTE CARDS
1. Do not begin taking notes until:
a. You know you have adequate information for a 3-5 page paper.
b. You have made out Works Cited cards for your sources (minimum of three
different types of sources (ex. Magazine, book, interview).
c. You have a preliminary outline of the 3-5 main points you will want to research
about your topic and have written a thesis statement.
2. Begin taking notes:
a. Number your Works Cited cards in the upper right hand corner (1st,2nd,3rd).
b. Each note card needs a heading. Use one of the 3-5 main points from your
outline. Write the page number(s) from the source that the information is
found. Put the page number(s) in the right had corner of the note card under
the Works Cited card number.
c. Write on one side of the card only
d. Take notes in your own words; shorten, abbreviate, use phrases unless you are
using your information as a direct quote.
e. Don’t take notes on information you know you will not use. Stick to your outline
topics. However, if a new area interests you, do not be afraid to add it to your
outline.
f. One piece of information only on a card.
3rd
II. Use of Computers in the Classroom
One of the
3-5 main
topics from
the outline.
Source Number
(Bib. Card)
Pg 117-123
Page numbers from
Computers are used in many classrooms as a
word processing tool to assist in classroom
assignments.
source
Use one piece of
information only on
a single card.
SCHEDULE:
DATE
DAY
_______
______
Review over Rules for Writers
_______
______
3. HO – Preliminary Outline with Thesis.
4. HO – Works Cited card explanation and examples.
_______
______
Library
Preliminary outline due (end of class).
Three different, usable Bib. Cards due.
_______
______
5. HO – Note taking explanation.
10 note cards due (end of class).
_______
______
6. HO – Sort note cards
15 note cards due (end of class).
Total of 25 cards are due today - Sorted.
_______
______
7. HO – Explanation of First Draft.
Write First Draft.
_______
______
8. HO – How are you doing?
9. HO – Proofreading (must have two different readers).
In class activity – peer exchange.
_______
______
10. HO – Title page explanation
11. HO – Final outline page explanation
12. HO – Works Cited page explanation
_______
______
Write second draft (must have two proofreaders
review by next class from outside. May take home.)
_______
______
13. HO – Final draft
Write final draft