10 Grade Research Unit Overview and FAQ
RESEARCH PAPER DUE TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 2012
WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?
 Give you practice in the area of developing a research thesis and the answer to a research
question
 Introduce you to formal writing standards using MLA format.
 Evaluate sources as credible or not credible
 Learn and develop research skills
 Develop paraphrasing, summarizing, and quoting skills
 Learn the importance of proper citation
 Organize information into a logical and coherent whole with good transitions
 Practice good grammar/punctuation/spelling skills
 Give you a deeper understanding of one topic
 Hone presentation skills
WHAT IS THIS PAPER?
The 10th grade paper is EXPOSITORY. This means that you are going to develop a thesis around the
answer to a research question that will INFORM the reader. Ex. Though Elvis Presley’s childhood was
relatively uneventful, it paved the way for an incredible career, tragic death, and music that has had an
impact on American Culture for all time. For this topic your research would be centered on Elvis Presley’s
life, career, music and death and the impact they have had on American culture in the 20 th century. Your
thesis will become refined as you decide on what specific information you are going to include in your
paper.
WHAT TOPICS CAN I PICK FOR THIS PAPER?
Choose a topic for research that can complete this research question:
“How has ___________________ impacted American culture?”AND BE PREPARED TO FIND
INFORMATION TO JUSTIFY THE IMPORTANCE OF YOUR TOPIC ON AMERICAN CULTURE
You may choose any topic related to the significant people, things or events during the 20th century (and
the first few years of the 21st century). Some examples are:
1920’s: post WWI. Prosperity and the Roaring Twenties. Flappers. Prohibition. Organized Crime, sports
heroes, Al Capone
1930’s: Stock Market Crash, The Great Depression, Dust Bowl, Migrant Workers, important authors
1940’s: America’s involvement in WWII (many paper sub topics in this: the War in the Pacific, Battle of
the Midway, D-Day), Atomic bomb development and use, Roosevelt, Weaponry and battles, Women at
Work, inventions
1950’s: Baby boom. Television. Return to prosperity, Housewives. Music groups, Marilyn Monroe
1960’s: Korean war, Vietnam, Counterculture, Hippies, Kennedy Assassination, war protests, Martin
Luther King, Black Panthers, civil rights movement, Woodstock, space race, various fads and fashions
1970’s – 2001: Michael Jackson, 9/11, Stephen Spielberg, Any significant person, event, or thing that has
helped shape American culture
There are many, many topics to choose from. Pick one that will interest you AND one that you can find
CREDIBLE sources for.
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research overview and FAQ 2011
HOW LONG IS THIS PAPER?
All papers must be 3-5 typed pages, double-spaced, 1-inch margins, and follow MLA format. The final
paper will also include one final outline page and one works cited (bibliography) page in MLA format.
WHAT ABOUT THE PRESENTATION?
Students will be required to orally present their paper in a 3-5 minute power point presentation.
WHAT WILL I NEED TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS PAPER?
The materials you will need are:
1. At least 5 good sources to get information. One must be an acceptable internet source (more on what
is considered “acceptable” later). All books you use will be put onto a cart in the library and will stay there
for the duration of the research unit. You MAY bring in books from your home or other libraries, but you
will need them each day of research!
2. A large brown folder provided to you by Mrs. Logan. In this huge folder you will put all of your research
material: all note cards, Easybib source papers, draft pages, worksheets, and a hardcopy of internet
sources if requested. The folder will NOT GO HOME unless given express permission. If it is lost you will
receive no sympathy.
3. You will need 3”X 5” note cards provided to you by Mrs. Logan. On these note cards you will write
your research notes
4. A pencil or pen, rubber bands, and paperclips
5. A computer to type your draft, final paper, outline, and to access Easybib.com to create your works
cited (bibliography) sheet.
6. A Jumpdrive or Flash drive is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
7. Your courage and determination!
HOW IT WORKS
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Consult the calendar attached
Each day of the unit you will learn something new as part of the research process. After you are
taught the skill, you need to apply it to your research project.
You will receive points daily for each task that you successfully complete.
FOLLOW DIRECTIONS! For the research writing process there are many points at stake over and
above the research paper grade. Together they totally nearly half of your grade for the quarter.
BE IN SCHOOL!!!!!
It is very difficult to catch up if you are out of class for too long because your classmates will be
learning something new almost every day. IF YOU USE YOUR TIME WISELY AND KEEP UP THEN
THE ENTIRE PROJECT CAN BE DONE IN CLASS. If you do not keep up, then you are responsible
for the rest outside of class!!!
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research overview and FAQ 2011