Research
An in Class Assignment
6 CLASSES DEVOTED TO PRACTICING
RESEARCH AND RESEARCH PAPER WRITING
Schedule
Class 1: Intro to Research and the Topic
Class 2: Intro to note taking
Class 3: Note taking and citing sources
Class 4: Thesis, Outline and Reference Page
Class 5: Rough Draft
Class 6: Final Copy
Class 1: Intro to Research and the Topic
A research report:
 Presents factual information about a topic from a
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variety of sources
Develops a single thesis
Has intro, body and conclusion
Presents ideas in organized way
Credits sources appropriately
Includes list of sources
Step One: Choose The Topic
 We will provide the topic in the interest
of time
 Typically do some preliminary reading
and research before deciding
 Your topic: Antigone as an
Aristotelian Tragedy
(Side Note!)What is a Aristotelian Tragedy?
 See your first Source: “Aristotle and
the Elements of Tragedy”:
According to Aristotle a Tragedy (Write this
down!):
1. Depicts a noble hero or heroine (could
mean: royal, reputable, honorable)
Depicts a character who brings about their
own demise through some “fatal flaw” or
“tragic flaw” (hamartia). This character
is known as the “tragic hero.”
The character suffers some great loss
 Loss of power, loss of family, loss of life, loss
of soul, loss of friends, loss of self respect or
respect in the community
 The hero does not have to die at the end, but comes
to some recognition or revelation about human
fate and the will of the gods.
Tragedy (cont’d)
 Pathos: an element of plot in the tragedy. It means
a “destructive or painful act” – the words sympathy,
empathy and apathy all stem from this Greek word.
This leads to Catharsis.
 Catharsis: tragedy raises the emotions of pity and
fear and then purges them.
We (the audience) feel pity and fear for the tragic
figure and at the end we are moved by the experience
and experience a sense of relief when it is resolved.
Step 2: Tentative Thesis Statement
 What will you argue or prove about your topic? (as
you progress you may alter your thesis)
 We’ve provided one!
Antigone is (is not) a perfect example of an
Aristotelian Tragedy
(decide which side you will take)
Now Your Turn
 Begin reading the sources provided
 Decide which side you will take on this topic:
 Antigone is or isn’t an Aristotelian Tragedy.
Class 2 and 3: Finding Information
 Compile your information in an organized way:
Note taking:
 Pick a subheading to gather information about for
ex: “tragic flaw”
 Take jot notes from each source about this topic.
Summarize important points. If you want to use
exact words, place in quotes.
 RECORD WHERE THE INFO COMES FROM.
Source name and pg. number
Note Taking Continued
Example of Notes
Topic: The play Antigone is an Aristotelian Tragedy
Sub Topic: Tragic Hero
Source: Aristotle and the Elements of Tragedy (Ohio)
 Great man (noble), makes mistake, generally good and decent
 Mistake also known as hamartia
- flaw or error, weakness
Source: “Antigone’s Flaw” by Lines
 Character “we admire greatly” p. 2
Source: The Theban Plays by Sophocles (Penguin Classics)
 Creon is noble he is the “undisputed master of the city” p. 125
Outline
An outline is a plan for how
The information will be
organized
This is important for
gathering appropriate
information and achieving
coherence. Do not skip this
step!
Outline
 Plan the order in which you
will present your information
 For example:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Introduction
Hero/Tragic Flaw (hamartia)
Hero Suffers a great loss
Recognition/Revelation
Pathos/Catharsis
Conclusion
Outline Cont’d
 You may include further subheadings to help plan
the essay
For ex:
1. Introduction
 Attention grabber
 Definition of Aristotelian Tragedy
 Thesis statement
Baby Goat Break
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmGSCIy7-kk
Step Three: Rough Draft (and citing sources)
Give credit for each source you use.
If you quote something directly word for word put
“quotation marks around it” (Then the author, the
year and page number in brackets). Make sure this
reference is listed on your reference page at the end.
See p. 4 in your booklet for example.
Someone else’s idea in your own words
 Still needs a citation!!!
 Write in your own words but place the source at the
end of the statement (the author, the year and page
number in brackets).
Step Four: References
 Reference page
Written in APA style (see guide)