THE RESEARCH PAPER
Let the journey begin…..

What is a research paper?
• A research paper is a carefully planned essay that shares information or proves a point.

Choosing a topic
• Am I truly interested in the subject?
•
Does it meet the requirements of the assignment?
• Do I have access to enough information?
•
Is the subject limited enough?

Writing a thesis statement…
A specific subject
+ a particular stand, feeling, or feature
= an effective thesis statement

Thesis Checklist
•Identifies a limited, specific subject
• Meets the requirements of assignment
•Focuses on a particular feature or feeling about a subject
•Supported with convincing facts and details
•Stated in a clear, direct sentence
(or sentences)

Sample thesis:
Writing assignment : Research paper about social issue
Subject : Homeless people
Thesis statement : Who are the homeless (SUBJECT) and what are the reasons for their predicament?(FEATURE)
Writing assignment : Research paper about human growth and development
Subject : Personality traits
Thesis statement : Certain personality traits(SUBJECT) are shaped primarily by the person’s peer group. (POSITION)

Searching Tips
•
Begin by writing some basic questions that you would like to answer in you report.
•
Any time you find information that answers a question, take notes on it.

TYPES of
INFORMATION

An original source:
Person
Event
Survey
Etc.

Not an original source:
Magazine article
Web site
Encyclopedia,
SECONDARY journal, etc.
Documentary

Information PACKAGES
• Personal sources
•
Books
• Reference works
•
Periodicals
• Audiovisual
•
Electronic Mail
• Government or business publications

Information PLACES
• Libraries
•
Computer resources
• Mass media
•
Learning sites
• Government
•
Research sites
• Conference sites
•
Workplace

EVALUATING the
INFORMATION

Is the information current ?

Is the information complete ?

Is the information accurate ?

Is the source an expert ?

Is your source biased ?

Bibliography Cards
•
Use to keep track of sources
Hayti: Charger Publishing, 1987.
• Organize by author’s last name
•
Number each entry in the upper right hand corner of the card
5

Note cards:
• Note cards:
5
Delicious ways to enjoy chocolate
– Record details, information, quotations
-a handful of chocolate chips
-chocolate ice cream with Hershey's syrup
– Record page number where information can be found
-homemade brownies
– Use descriptive word or heading at top

Writing the draft
• “When you are writing nonfiction, there’s no use getting into a writing schedule until you’ve done the research and you have the material.”
-Tom Wolfe

Getting started...
Arrange your note cards into their most logical order.
Construct an outline---a writing plan
Search for any additional information needed to develop thesis

1. Developing your introduction-
2. Writing the body-
3. Writing the conclusion-

4. Revising -
5. Proofreading and Editing -
6. MLA Documentation -

AVOIDING
-the act of presenting someone else’s ideas as your own.

Final copy requirements-

Title page

Outline

Heading

Page numbering

Body

Works Cited

Grading Rubric