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?

• Is the subject limited enough so that research will not be overwhelming?

• Is the topic broad enough so that I have access to enough information?

Narrowing a Topic

• Topic Given/chosen: Child Abuse• Step 1: Ask/record specific questions you wish

to know about the topic.

Is physical punishment like spanking abuse? If so, when and why?

What age groups are affected most by this type of abuse?

Is our state higher or lower in the rankings for this type of abuse?

Narrowing a Topic

• Step 2: For each question brainstorm or freewrite ideas that can help guide your search for info and record them.

• Physical Punishment-spanking abuse?

what used?age of child? laws?

where length too young or old NY or US

public body part safety anger CPS jail

Writing a thesis statement…

A specific subject+

a particular stand, feeling, or feature

= an effective thesis statement

This can be the start your introduction

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 articleWeb siteEncyclopedia,

journal, etc.Documentary

Information PACKAGES

• Personal sources (interviews)

• 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

EVALUATINGthe

INFORMATION

Is the information current (date)? Is the information complete (answers my question in a

way I understand)? Is the information accurate (author/ source)? Is the source an expert (publisher/website)? Is your source biased (opinion vs. fact)?

Bibliography Cards

• 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.

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

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-

( In an APA paper you can use much of your abstract for this)

2. Writing the body-

3. Writing the conclusion-

4. Revising-

(order and sufficient ideas)

5. Proofreading and Editing-

(full varied sentences, grammar,

Spelling, punctuation)

6. APA or MLA Documentation-

Giving proper credit

Reference page

(author, year, title of source,

Website or publisher)

In Paper Citations for quotes or paraphrased material (author, year)

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

Final copy requirements-

Title page Abstract (APA only) Page Headings Intro Body Conclusion Works Cited/

References

Example of a completed

research paperhttp://owl.english.purdue.edu/

Grading RubricSee your Paper Directions