9th Grade Research Project
Bob’s and Ms. Glisson’s Classes
NAME: __________________________________ PERIOD: __________________
NOTE: It is required that you have this paper, any notes from your research, and tour
Write Source book in English class every day we are working on this assignment. Failure
to have this required material may result in loss of points and can affect your grade.
Basic Requirements/Procedure
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Choose a country in social studies. Break into the 4 topics shown in step 1.
Gather information (You must use at least 2 non-internet sources)
Write your thesis
Create and outline. Must be submitted with 2nd draft. (10 points)
Write paper. Write bibliography. Must be in correct MLA format (as you have
been taught in Ms. Glisson’s class). Bibliography must be submitted with 2nd draft
(15 points)
 Complete all 3 drafts as outlined below
 Complete your tri-fold brochure for Global Studies
 Class presentation graded by both Ms. Glisson and Bob.
Paper will be evaluated in 3 drafts
 1st draft cannot be made up and must be ready in class on the due date for peer
review and feedback. (25 points).
 2nd draft must be typed and submitted of due date for full credit. Please review the
handout on required format from Bob. Papers submitted in any other format will
be returned un-graded for revision, which may cause late penalties of –20% per
day to apply (25 points).
 3rd draft must be revised as per teacher feedback and will be scored according to a
rubric (see attached). Worth 0 – 40 points based on improvement.
 Presentation. You will present your work and brochure to the class and be
evaluated by Bob and Ms. Glisson.
STEP 1: Choose a Topic
Ms. Glisson will present you with a choice of Central and South American countries
to select from. Select a country you are interested in so the project will be interesting for
you.
For the Social Studies portion of the project, you will create a tri-fold brochure, which
you will use during your final presentation to educate your classmates. When creating
the brochure you will want to include the most pertinent information from your research
paper. If you had a friend traveling to this country what information from your research
do you feel he/she must know? You MUST include ALL four topics researched for Bob’s
paper.
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Topics include:
1) History - when was it colonized, by whom, when did it gain independence, does
colonization play a role in your country today?
2) Geography- what are the major geographical features of your country, where
would you want to travel? Does the geography play a role in the success of your
country (i.e. natural resources)?
3) Government – what is the structure of the government in your country and how
does the government affect its citizens?
4) Successes or challenges – In this section you will want to choose a personal area
of interest. What is unique to your country? Does your country excel in a
particular area (i.e. tourism) and why? Does your country face challenges (i.e.
corrupt government, drug lords)?
STEP 2: Gather Information
Requirements:
 You MUST select at least two (2) sources from books, printed encyclopedias,
magazines, newspapers, etc. Non-internet sources.
 Internet sources need to be screened (see below) to be sure the information you
are using is legitimate and accurate.
 Data gathered must include documentation of the source: Author, title, page
numbers, date of publication, publisher, city of publication, and full web address
for Internet sources.
Materials:
 Write Source book (pages 343 – 354)
 Index cards (from Bob)
 Student ID cards for checking out materials from the library
A) Read pages 343 – 354 in Write Source. Complete the quiz on this material before you
begin your research.
B) In English, students will use a file folder and create “pockets” with index cards. These
pockets will be labeled with the categories of your research.
C) In the library or computer lab, you will locate materials with information you will
need for research. Having a printout of Internet articles is helpful because as you read,
you can highlight potential useful data.
D) As you explore your materials, use the index cards to write facts and quotes related to
the categories you are investigating. On one side of your index card, copy any quote
or summarize valid data. On the backside of the card, write the category at the top.
Then write your source information – where you found the data (see requirements,
above). You should have 10—15 cards per topic.
E) Organize your note cards in the file folder pockets.
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Example Index Card:
Category: Tragic Events
“Terrible things happened. Two days later, I
went to look for the girls. Both of them were
dead!”
The Last Seven Months of Anne Frank, Lindwer,
Willie, 1991, New York: Pantheon
Page 52
Front of Card
Back of Card
Five criteria for evaluating Web pages
Evaluation of Web documents
How to interpret the basics
1. Accuracy of Web Documents
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Who wrote the page and can
you contact him or her?
What is the purpose of the
document and why was it
produced?
Is this person qualified to
write this document?
Accuracy
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Make sure author provides e-mail or a
contact address/phone number.
Know the distinction between author and
Webmaster.
2. Authority of Web Documents
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Who published the document
and is it separate from the
"Webmaster?"
Check the domain of the
document. What institution
publishes this document?
Does the publisher list his or
her qualifications?
Authority
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What credentials are listed for the
authors)?
Where is the document published? Check
URL domain.
3. Objectivity of Web Documents
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What goals/objectives does
this page meet?
How detailed is the
information?
What opinions (if any) are
expressed by the author?
4. Currency of Web Documents
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When was it produced?
When was it updated'
How up-to-date are the links
(if any)?
5. Coverage of the Web Documents
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Are the links (if any)
evaluated and do they
complement the documents'
theme?
Is it all images or a balance of
text and images?
Is the information presented
cited correctly?
Objectivity
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Determine if page is a mask for
advertising; if so information might be
biased.
View any Web page as you would an
infomercial on television. Ask yourself
why was this written and for whom?
Currency
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How many dead links are on the page?
Are the links current or updated
regularly?
Is the information on the page outdated?
Coverage
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If page requires special software to view
the information, how much are you
missing if you don't have the software?
Is it free or is there a fee, to obtain the
information?
Is there an option for text only, or
frames, or a suggested browser for better
viewing?
Putting it all together
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Accuracy. If your page lists the author and institution that published the page and
provides a way of contacting him/her and . . .
Authority. If your page lists the author credentials and its domain is preferred
(.edu, .gov, .org, or .net), and, . .
Objectivity. If your page provides accurate information with limited advertising
and it is objective in presenting the information, and . . .
Currency. If your page is current and updated regularly (as stated on the page)
and the links (if any) are also up-to-date, and . . .
Coverage. If you can view the information properly--not limited to fees, browser
technology, or software requirement, then . . .
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STEP 3: Write Your Thesis
Materials:
 Write Source page 371 and page 594
 Index card folder with note cards
We have practiced writing thesis statements several times in English. Review your cards
and notes. Read the pages above. Keep in mind your categories as you create your thesis
statement.
STEP 4: Organize and Outline
Materials:
 Index card folder with note cards
 Write Source page 372
Read page 372 and follow the example. We will go over this in English class.
STEP 5: Write Your First Draft
Requirements:
 All sources must be documented. DO NOT COPY ANY AUTHOR’S
MATERIAL WITHOUT GIVING CREDIT. This is called plagiarism and is both
wrong and against the law.
 Use imbedded quotes in your paper to back up what you say. (See Write Source
page 597). Citations will be evaluated in this assignment.
Materials:
 Write Source book
 Outline
 Note cards
A) Read the example research paper on pages 357—363. On a separate piece of
paper, complete the “Respond to the Reading” exercise on page 363. Turn in
for credit.
B) Read pages 373 – 384. This section is a step-by-step guide to writing your paper.
C) Have your note cards sorted in the order you will use them for the paper. Refer to
your outline.
D) Start on page 375. Re-read and then write your opening paragraph. Note the
directions at the bottom of the page.
E) Turn to 376. Re-read through 379. Write your middle paragraphs as per the guide
on the bottom of 379.
F) Continue to page 380 and write your ending
G) Create your “Works-cited” page (i.e. bibliography). Use the guidelines for MLA
on pages 381 – 384 or use the way Ms. Glisson taught you.
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H) Have your draft completed and in class by the due date. You will receive written
feedback from a peer(s) on that day, so you cannot make up the first draft.
STEP 6: Revise, Edit, and Type 2nd Draft
Requirements:
 You will need to make changes in your first draft. I don’t mean changing a few
words or just correcting spelling. You need to do a substantial revision before
typing and handing in your paper.
Materials
 Write Source book
 1st draft of research paper with outline and bibliography
 Peer feedback
 Rubric scoring guide
A) Read pages 385 – 388.
B) Review your peer feedback. Consider making the changes suggested.
C) Turn to page 386. Re-read 386-7. Use the example and follow the directions on
the bottom of page 387. Please make notes and corrections on your 1st draft.
D) Complete the checklist on page 388.
E) Read pages 389 – 392.
F) Check for conventions (see 390, bottom of page)
G) Complete the editing checklist on page 391
H) Make sure your paper has a title. See guidelines on page 392.
I) Type paper. Use the correct format from Bob’s class. Papers turned in not in the
correct format will be handed back for correction.
J) Turn in the following papers attached together:
 2nd (typed) draft on top. Be sure to attach your works cited page at the end
 1st draft
 Outline
STEP 7: Final Revision
Materials:
 2nd draft of paper returned with teacher feedback
 Write Source book
A) Carefully go over teacher’s feedback
B) Follow steps C – G from step 6 (above).
C) Please note that your score depends on how well you revise and improve your
paper. Final draft will be scored using the rubric attached. Your rubric score will
be averaged with conventions counting double, and this score will be multiplied
by 10 for a score range from 0 to 40. For example, if your averaged rubric score
was 3.7, your final score would by 37 points.
D) Turn in your final draft along with your 2nd draft and teacher feedback.
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APPENDIX A: MLA GUIDELINES
Book
Okuda, Michael, and Denise Okuda. Star Trek Chronology: The
History
of the Future. New York: Pocket, 1993.
Journal Article
Wilcox, Rhonda V. "Shifting Roles and Synthetic Women in Star
Trek: The Next Generation." Studies in Popular Culture 13.2
(1991):
53-65.
Newspaper or Magazine Article
Di Rado, Alicia. "Trekking through College: Classes Explore Modern
Society Using the World of Star Trek." Los Angeles Times 15 Mar.
1995: A3.
Book Article or Chapter
James, Nancy E. "Two Sides of Paradise: The Eden Myth According
to
Kirk and Spock." Spectrum of the Fantastic. Ed. Donald Palumbo.
Westport: Greenwood, 1988. 219-223.
Encyclopedia Article
(well known reference books)
Sturgeon, Theodore. "Science Fiction." The Encyclopedia
Americana.
International ed. 1995.
Encyclopedia Article
(less familiar reference books)
Horn, Maurice. "Flash Gordon." The World Encyclopedia of Comics.
Ed. Maurice Horn. 2 vols. New York: Chelsea, 1976.
Gale Reference Book
(and other books featuring reprinted articles)
Shayon, Robert Lewis. "The Interplanetary Spock." Saturday Review
17 June 1967: 46. Rpt. in Contemporary Literary Criticism. Ed.
Sharon R. Gunton. Vol. 17. Detroit: Gale Research, 1981. 403.
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ERIC Document
Fuss-Reineck, Marilyn. Sibling Communication in Star Trek: The Next
Generation: Conflicts between Brothers. Miami: Speech
Communication Assn., 1993. ERIC Document Reproduction
Service
ED364932.
Website
Lynch, Tim. "DSN Trials and Tribble-ations Review." Psi Phi:
Bradley's
Science Fiction Club. 1996. Bradley University. 8 Oct. 1997 <http://
www.bradley.edu/campusorg/psiphi/DS9/ep/503r.html>.
Newspaper or Magazine Article on the Internet
Andreadis, Athena. "The Enterprise Finds Twin Earths Everywhere It
Goes, But Future Colonizers of Distant Planets Won't Be So
Lucky."
Astronomy Jan. 1999: 64- . Academic Universe. Lexis-Nexis. B.
Davis Schwartz Memorial Lib., Brookville, NY. 7 Feb. 1999 <http://
web.lexis-nexis.com/universe>.
Gale Literature Criticism Online
Shayon, Robert Lewis. "The Interplanetary Spock." Saturday Review
17 June 1967: 46. Rpt. in Contemporary Literary Criticism. Ed.
Sharon R. Gunton and Gerald J. Senick. Vol. 17. Detroit: Gale
Research, 1981. 403. Literature Criticism Online. Thomson Gale.
B. Davis Schwartz Memorial Lib., Brookville, NY. 15 Nov. 2007
<http://
galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/LitCrit?locID=nysl_li_liu>.
Notes
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Arrange the items on your reference list alphabetically by author, interfiling books,
articles, etc.
Doublespace all lines.
Indent the second and following lines 5 spaces (or one half inch).
If no author is given, start with the title.
Abbreviate the names of all months except May, June, and July.
If the paging of a magazine or newspaper article is continued elswhere in the issue,
include only the first page followed by a plus sign (ex. 25+.).
If the encyclopedia does not arrange its articles alphabetically, treat the encyclopedia
article as if it were a book article. Specific volume and page numbers are cited in the
text, not in the list of references.
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Gale Reference Book: cite the original source being reprinted as shown under Book,
Journal Article, Newspaper or Magazine Article, etc. The example shows a Magazine
Article. Then include the citation information for the reference book.
Websites: include the title of the web page, the name of the entire web site, the
organization that posted it (this may be the same as the name of the website). Also
include the full date the page was created or last updated (day, month, year if
available) and the date you looked at it.
Internet Magazine Articles: Include:
 The full date of the article (day, month, year if available) and the date you
looked at it;
o If you are citing a journal instead of a magazine, include the volume
(and issue number) and date as shown under the Journal Style above.
 As for page numbers, different databases will provide different information.
Include the range of pages (ex. 25-28.); or the starting page followed by a
hyphen, a blank space, and a period (ex. 64- .); or the total number of pages or
paragraphs (ex. 12 pp. or 33 pars.). If no page information is given, then leave it
out.
 The name of the database (underlined) and the company that created it.
 The library or other organization (and its location) that provided you with
access to the database.
 If the web address (URL) of the article is very long, you only need to include the
URL of the database's home page.
The rules concerning a title within a title are not displayed here for purposes of clarity.
See the printed version of the manual for details.
For documents and situations not listed here, see the printed version of the manual.
Other Styles
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