Research Paper Expectations
• Your paper should have a title page, body, and
bibliography page.
• You should have at least one picture.
• Your paper should have 5 paragraphs:
introduction, 3 main headings, conclusion.
• Your paper should be typed by you or an adult.
You will also turn in your rough draft. It should
match your typed copy exactly.
• You may put your paper in a plastic report cover.
Title Page
• Name of your animal
• Picture of your animal
• Your name
Introduction Paragraph
• Hook sentence – grabs the reader’s
attention. (riddle or interesting fact)
• Use sequencing words that tell the reader
what you will be discussing in your paper
(first, next, second, last, finally, etc.)
• Use descriptive language that gives your
reader a mind movie of your animal.
3 Information Paragraphs
• Topic sentence tells the reader what
information is in this paragraph
• Supporting detail supports the topic
• Example of supporting detail
• All paragraphs should be indented.
• No headings between paragraphs
• You may include pictures with your
paragraphs.
Conclusion Paragraph
• Restates three topics of your paper
• Reason you chose this animal or personal
connection to the animal.
• One thing that you learned or surprised
you in your research.
Bibliography Page
• List your sources in alphabetical order.
Follow MLA format. You may use
easybib.com or other online bibliography
makers.
• Must have at least 2 sources.
Animal Research Papers
The following research papers from past
fourth graders are examples. These are not
perfect papers. They may contain errors in
spelling, punctuation, and format. Please
use them only as a guide. Their
requirements may have been different from
ours. Please make sure your paper follows
the guidelines currently given by your
teacher.
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