Greenwich High School
American History
Sophomore Research Paper
A Step-by-Step Guide
2010-2011
Name ____________________________________________________ Block ______
Research Question __________________________________________________________
Name:___________________________
FOLLOW THE STEPS BELOW AND COMPLETE ALL RELATED TASKS TO SUCCESSFULLY
COMPLETE THE SOPHOMORE RESEARCH PAPER.
1. QUESTION
PRE-RESEARCH TOPICS TO FINALIZE YOUR QUESTION CHOICE.

Investigate possible topics. (Read a book, an article in a reference book, a
magazine, or a web site on your topic. Discuss the topic with an expert or watch
a movie or documentary on your topic.)

Complete Handout #1 – Question Selection
Due_________________
DECIDE WHAT PRIMARY QUESTION YOU WILL ANSWER. GENERATE SUB
QUESTIONS TO GUIDE YOUR RESEARCH.

Complete Handout #2 – Preliminary Research
Due_________________
2. PLAN
HOW WILL YOU TAKE YOUR NOTES?

Your note taking method must include all vital elements of any note taking
system and be approved by your teacher. Use Appendix 2: Notes Check Rubric as
a guide to develop your system.
WHAT SOURCES ARE AVAILABLE TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION?

Use at least seven sources, six of which must be from the following categories.
See Appendix 1: Required Sources for the Sophomore Research Paper for detailed
definitions.
 Reference
 Primary Source
 Non-reference Book
 Web Site
(secondary)
 Periodical
Magazine/Journal
Newspaper
WHAT KEYWORDS WILL YOU USE AS SEARCH TERMS THROUGHOUT RESEARCH?

Complete Handout #3 – Keywords
Due _________________
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Name:___________________________
3. SEARCH, EVALUATE & TAKE NOTES
AS YOU SEARCH AND TAKE NOTES, ASK YOURSELF:
Am I using the right source at the right time?
Is the source reliable?
Is the information relevant? (i.e. Does it answer my subquestions?)

First Notes Check
Date/Time ___________
See Appendix 2: Notes Check Rubric to prepare for your notes evaluation.

Attend Required Conference 1 (with AH teacher)
Date/Time ___________
Discuss progress to date. Bring all notes to the conference.
4. SYNTHESIZE
ORGANIZE YOUR NOTES.

Second Notes Check
Due_________________
See Appendix 2: Notes Check Rubric to prepare for your notes evaluation.
Your teacher will place an emphasis on checking that you’ve used
a variety of sources to support well balanced research and that you’ve started to
organize your notes according to sub question for your Formal Outline.
CREATE AN OUTLINE.

Complete Handout #4 – Formal Outline
Due_________________
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Name:___________________________
5. REFLECT
WRITE A FIRST DRAFT OF YOUR PAPER AND GENERATE A TURNITIN REPORT.

Required Conference 2 – *First Draft Due* Date/Time____________________
(Content check with AH Teacher)
Bring:
o a completed, typed, double-spaced first draft of your paper with:
 citations and Works Consulted page
 Turnitin first draft report
o all notes
Be prepared to discuss the specific areas where you would like help.
REVISE AND EDIT.

Required Conference 3
Date and time_____________________
(Grammar and composition check with English Teacher)
Bring:
o a completed, typed, double-spaced first draft of your paper with:
 citations and Works Consulted page
 Turnitin first draft report
o all notes
Be prepared to discuss the specific areas where you would like help.

Before writing a final draft, ask yourself:
o Have I fully answered my primary and sub questions?
o Have I avoided plagiarism?
o Have I used proper grammar?
6. COMMUNICATE

Turn in your final draft.
Due ______________
The final draft will:
o be 7-10 pages typed, double-spaced, 12-point font with 1” margins
o have a title page, citations in the text and a Works Consulted page
o have a final Turnitin report attached
o include Handout #5—Final Paper Submission Checklist
o include All-Clear Slip from the Media Center (See directions at the end of the
handouts to generate an All-Clear Slip from the Media Center web site.)
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Name:___________________________
HANDOUT #1 – TOPIC SELECTION
List your top three paper topic choices, in order of preference. Indicate in a few sentences
why you chose this topic based on background investigation conducted. Also indicate how
you conducted your background investigation. (For example, did you watch a movie? Read
an article?)
1.
2.
3.
5
Name:___________________________
HANDOUT #2 – PRELIMINARY RESEARCH (Page 1 of 2)
Topic Summary – Summarize your specific topic in the space below. Your summary should
explain what the topic is about and how it fits into the history of the time it occurred. You
should base your summary on background research from a reference source(s). Be sure to
take notes and cite sources for all information you find. You will use this information in your
final paper, too.
History of the Time – Your topic is not an isolated incident, but rather fits into a larger
framework: list and briefly explain the major issues/major events facing society at the time.
Under the categories (political, social, economic) below, note:
1. significant dates related to your topic
2. dates of other important events that were occurring at the same time as your topic
Political
Social
Economic
Reference Source(s) Used:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
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Name:___________________________
HANDOUT #2 – PRELIMINARY RESEARCH (Page 2 of 2)
Primary Question – The answer to this question will provide the thesis for your research
project.
Sub Questions – The answers to these questions will provide the evidence to prove your
thesis and the answers will ultimately be the sub topics of our outline. You will come up
with additional questions to be answered as you continue through the research process.
This is just a brainstorm session to get you started.
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Name:___________________________
HANDOUT #3A – KEYWORDS
In the bubble below, write the main keywords from your primary research question. Use
the space surrounding the bubble to write related keywords such as synonyms or related
terms, figures, and dates. These keywords will serve as search terms when using a search
engine, a database, a book, or the online catalog.
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Name:___________________________
HANDOUT #3B – KEYWORDS
In the table below, write your sub questions in the left column. Circle the important
keywords and then write them in the right hand column to use as search terms throughout
your research.
sub question
keywords
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Name:___________________________
HANDOUT #4—FORMAL OUTLINE (Page 1 of 3)
Create a Research Outline which proposes approximately 5 to 7 major points you plan to
address in your paper. If you need to add more supporting points, please do so. You will
start with the introduction and finish with the conclusion. Major points should organize
the information you have already found (or still hope to find) to fully answer your primary
question and support your thesis. Note: as your research progresses, you will revise this
outline to fit in new points you discover or to delete old points that you find do not fully
support your thesis. The answers to sub questions often become your major points.
I. Introduction:
Thesis:
II. Major Point 1:
a. Supporting Point
b. Supporting Point
c. Supporting Point
III. Major Point 2:
a. Supporting Point
b. Supporting Point
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Name:___________________________
HANDOUT #4—FORMAL OUTLINE (Page 2 of 3)
c. Supporting Point
IV. Major Point 3:
a. Supporting Point
b. Supporting Point
c. Supporting Point
V. Major Point 4:
a. Supporting Point
b. Supporting Point
c. Supporting Point
VI. Major Point 5:
a. Supporting Point
b. Supporting Point
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Name:___________________________
HANDOUT #4—FORMAL OUTLINE (Page 3 of 3)
c. Supporting Point
VII. Major Point 6:
a. Supporting Point
b. Supporting Point
c. Supporting Point
VIII. Major Point 7:
a. Supporting Point
b. Supporting Point
c. Supporting Point
IX. Conclusion: (Don’t forget to include a modern connection!)
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Name:___________________________
HANDOUT #5 – FINAL PAPER SUBMISSION CHECKLIST
Directions: Complete this form and attach it as the last page of your paper.
SECTION ONE: ASSIGNMENT INFORMATION
STUDENT NAME: _______________________________________________________
PAPER TOPIC: __________________________________________________________
DATE DUE: _____________________________________________________________
DATE OF SUBMISSION: _________________________________________________
SECTION TWO: ASSIGNMENT CHECKLIST
All submissions MUST include the following elements. Staple everything together in the
order listed below. Check each element that you have included.
_____Title Page
_____Research Paper
_____Works Consulted page
_____Turnitin Originality Report
_____Media Center All-Clear Slip
_____Final Paper Submission Checklist
I hereby state that this paper is a product of my own research and intellect, and is not
plagiarized or otherwise unethically written.
________________________________
Student Signature
________________________
Date
ALL LATE PAPERS WILL LOSE ONE LETTER GRADE FOR EACH SCHOOL DAY THAT THE PAPER
IS LATE. If you think you have a legitimate excuse for a late paper, your parent/guardian
must write and sign a note on the back of this form explaining that they are aware that the
paper is late and giving the reason why. I will consider excusing all or part of the late
penalty depending on the reason given.
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Name:___________________________
HOW DO I PRINT AN ALL-CLEAR SLIP?
(also known as a Media Center
Cancellation of Obligations Form)
GO TO –
GHS website (www.greenwichschools.org/ghs) > GHS Media Center > Online Catalog /
GHS Media Center Online Catalog (to screen above)
LOG IN –
Your student ID number and your last name (different from GHS computer log in)
Click on the My Info tab (above top green line) to see your list
PRINT OUT –
and turn in to teacher to show you have no sophomore research paper related
materials checked out.
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Name:___________________________
APPENDIX 1: REQUIRED SOURCES FOR THE SOPHOMORE RESEARCH PAPER
Students must use a minimum of seven sources. These must include at least one of each
of the following categories. Both types of periodical sources – magazines/journals and
newspapers - must be used. Additional sources may come from any category.
While most of your sources will be secondary sources (ie. books or articles written about a
subject after the fact), please note below that you must have at least one primary source
(original documents written at the time an event occurred or a person lived).
 Reference:

General or specialized encyclopedias, atlases, dictionaries, biographical
works, etc., located in the Reference section of the Media Center or one
the Databases page of the GHS Media Center Web Site
(www.greenwichschools.org/ghs click on Media Center / Databases).
 Non-reference Book (secondary):

A book written about a subject after the fact
 Periodical:

Publications that appear regularly at fixed intervals, including newspapers,
magazines, and scholarly journals
Magazine/Journal:
Some magazines/journals can be found on their own website such as
www.americanheritage.com, but most are available through the
Databases page of the GHS Media Center Web Site
(www.greenwichschools.org/ghs click on Media Center / Databases).
ProQuest Platinum is the most widely used periodical database.
Newspaper:
Historical newspaper articles can be found through the Databases page
of the GHS Media Center Web Site. (www.greenwichschools.org/ghs
click on Media Center / Databases). ProQuest Historical New York Times
is the primary newspaper database.
 Primary Source:

Original documents written at the time an event occurred or a person lived
such as speeches, letters, etc.
 Web Site:

Web sites should be authoritative, such as those published by educational
institutions, governments, or reputable organizations. Many authoritative
web sites are bookmarked on the GHS Media Center Web Site
(www.greenwichschools.org/ghs click on Media Center / Virtual Library /
Social Studies).
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Name:___________________________
APPENDIX 2: NOTES CHECK RUBRIC
3
CONTENT
Reliable Source
Relevant Facts
2
1
Source is a recognized
Unverified authority on
authority on subject and is subject. May or may not
up-to-date.
be up-to-date.
Questionable expertise on
subject. Out of date
information.
Each fact relates directly to Fact relates indirectly to
my primary question or
my primary and sub
sub questions.
questions.
Selected fact does not
relate to my primary or sub
questions.
Some information to
Unclear how notes support
Breadth and Depth Sufficient information to
support thesis and all sub support thesis and all sub thesis or sub questions.
of Information
questions.
FORMAT
Paraphrasing
questions, but more is
needed.
No connections can be
made.
No full sentences. Ideas Some full sentences.
Notes copied directly from
restated using own words. Some restating, but some the source. No attempt to
copying of text.
restate.
Organization and
Clarity
Sub question and source
are identified for each
note. Notes are clear and
understandable.
Notes inconsistently
attached to a sub question
and source. Inconsistently
clear and understandable.
Sub question or source are
unclear for each note.
Notes are sloppy and
disorganized.
Source Credit
Properly formatted
citations.
Citation formatting is
inconsistent.
No citations.
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Name:___________________________
APPENDIX 3: SOPHOMORE RESEARCH PAPER SCORING SHEET: RESEARCH
PROCESS
NAME___________________________________________
BLOCK ________
TOPIC__________________________________________________________________
Max. Point Value
Your Score
Handout # 1 – Topic Selection
20
Handout #2 – Preliminary
Research
Handout #3 – Keywords
30
10
First Notes Check
15
Handout #4– Formal Outline
30
Required Conference 1
30
Second Notes Check
20
Required Conference 2
(with AH teacher
First Draft
Required Conference 3
(with English teacher)
Composition check
Total Possible Research Process
Points
40
30
225
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Name:___________________________
APPENDIX 4: SOPHOMORE RESEARCH PAPER SCORING SHEET: FINAL PAPER
NAME________________________________________ BLOCK ______
TOPIC_______________________________________________________
Max. Point Value
Your Score
Introduction:
 Introduces topic
 States main ideas
 Moves from general to specific
 Has clear thesis
 Thesis answers primary question
Organization of Paragraphs:
20
 Clear topic sentences
 Paragraphs maintain clear focus
 Main ideas are clear
 Provide supporting details for thesis
Content:
20



50



20
Primary Question answered?
Information accurate and complete
Information reveals the use of a variety
of reliable sources
 Logical flow of paragraphs
 Demonstrates critical thinking
Conclusion:
Summarizes main ideas
Restates thesis without repeating
Includes new idea and/or philosophical
point
Conventions:






Total
Title page
Proper Works Consulted
Proper citations in essay
Proper spelling and grammar
Turnitin Final Originality Report
Media Center All Clear Slip
15
125
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