Mrs. O’Grady’s Social Studies Classes
Research Paper
8th grade Second Semester due date____________________________________
7th grade Third Semester due date_____________________________________
Taking notes
Immediately write down the bibliographical information on the resource you are using.
Make sure that when you take notes that you write them down in your own words. This will prevent
accidental plagiarism.
Use index cards to take notes, using a new card for each notation. At the top of the card write the last
name of the author of the source or the book title. Also write the topic such as “foreign policy”. In this
way it will be easy to organize your notes when you are ready to write your paper.
Use your Social Studies textbook, “Student Success Handbook”, pages xxxvi-xxxix, to help you write
your paper.
You are required to use a minimum of three sources. (25% of grade)
Only one of the three sources may be an encyclopedia or an internet source. If you choose to use an
internet source be very careful about its validity.
You must use at least two books.
You must include at least one parenthetical citation that relates directly to what you are writing.
*****The last page of your report is to be your Bibliography. Use the MLA Style for listing sources. Go
to: citationmachine.com on the web. This site will show you how to cite all sources. This is worth 25% of
your grade. *****
Ask your reference librarian for help. You may need to use the Readers Guide to Periodic Literature,
especially is you have a 20th or 21st century president.
You will be writing a research paper on President____________________.
Follow these directions for your project.
_
THE PAPER
(50% of grade for CONTENT, plus 10% for grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc.
Part One: Biographical
the president’s date and place of birth and death if applicable
information about his family
where did the president spend most of his life and what was his occupation prior to his presidency
what led him to his political life
Continued on next page
Part Two: The Presidency
domestic policy
foreign policy
major accomplishments of his administration
problems faced by the administration
How do you think history has or will remember him? Why?
Part Three: a Timeline (10% of grade)
the timeline Must be done by hand ( not computer generated)
It is to include major historical events in the USA and the world during the president’s life, especially his
administration.
Part Four: Illustrations (5% of grade)
Include a portrait of your president which may be computer generated or
Xeroxed
a picture, graph, or map done by hand
DO NOT FILL UP YOUR REPORT WITH PICTURES!!!
Please ask for help if your need it. Use the school library and your public library.
Student’s signature____________________________________________________
Parent’s signature_____________________________________________________