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

• Meets the requirements of assignment

• Identifies a limited, specific subject

• 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 issueSubject: Homeless peopleThesis 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 traitsThesis 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.

PRIMARY

An original source:DiaryPersonEventSurveyEtc.

TYPES of INFORMATION

SECONDARY

Not an original source:Magazine article

Web siteEncyclopedia,

journal, etc.Documentary

EVALUATINGthe

INFORMATION

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

Wikipedia

No

Bibliography CardsBooks

• Use to keep track of sources

• Organize by author’s last name

• Number each entry in the upper right hand corner of the card

5Olsen, Shawn M. Chocolate Lover’s Guide. Hayti: Charger Publishing, 1987.

Bibliography CardsWeb Site

• Use to keep track of sources

• Organize by author’s last name

• Number each entry in the upper right hand corner of the card

5

Title of the Site. Editor. Date and/or Version Number. Name of Sponsoring Institution. Date of Access

<URL>.Encyclopedia Mythica. 2004. 13 May 2004 <http://www.pantheon.org/>.

Bibliography CardsArticles from Web Sites

• Use to keep track of sources

• Organize by author’s last name

• Number each entry in the upper right hand corner of the card

5

Author. "Title of Article." Title of Publication Date: Page(s) or Section(s), if numbered. Date of Access

<URL>.Gima, Craig. "Whale's Body Found Near Hanalei Bay." Honolulu Star-Bulletin.com 6 July 2004. 4 Sept. 2004 <http://starbulletin.com/2004/07/06/news/story1.html>.

Bibliography CardsPersonal Interviews

• Use to keep track of sources

• Organize by author’s last name

• Number each entry in the upper right hand corner of the card

5

Person Interviewed. Type of Interview (personal, telephone, email, etc.). Date.

Nakamura, Michael. Personal interview. 23 July 2008.

Note cards:• Note cards:

– Record details, information, quotations

– Record page number where information can be found

– Use descriptive word or heading at top

5Delicious ways to enjoy chocolate

-a handful of chocolate chips-chocolate ice cream with Hershey's syrup-“Chocolate/chocolate cake at Café is the BEST!”-Ghiradelli hot chocolate-homemade brownies

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-

Giving proper credit

MLA documentation

Writer’s Inc.

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

Final copy requirements-Title pageOutlineHeadingPage numberingBodyWorks

Cited/Bibliography

500 Points to an A