Download The Research Paper

The Research Paper
English III (H)
The Assignment
Write an 8-10 page research paper on a topic
of your choice in fulfillment of the
requirements for the Craven County
Graduation Project.
Use 8-10 sources in your paper. (Sources
should be a combination of books,
periodicals, or web sources)
Where do I Begin?
Step 1
Choosing a Topic
The key to choosing a topic is to start with a
broad interest and then narrow down to
something more specific that can be
thoroughly covered in 8-10 pages.
Choosing My Topic
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Your topic should be interesting to you.
Your topic should be something you want to
learn more about ( a goal is that you show
learning over time)
Your topic should be something that can be
turned into a viable product in your senior
year.
The more passion you have for your topic,
the better your experience and results will be.
Choosing a Topic
Broad Topics
Education
The History of Rock and Roll
The Marine Corps
Journalism
World Religions
Fashion
Narrow Topics
Changes in Bilingual
Education in the 21st Century
Music’s Influence on the
Fashion Industry
Traumatic Brain Injuries in
the Marine Corps
Imbedded Journalism in Iraq
Emergence of Catholicism in
former Soviet Union
Creating a Thesis Statement
A thesis statement is the guiding statement of
your paper. This is what all of your research
is supporting. Your statement should be
something you seek to prove in your paper. It
is also the first topic in your outline.
Preliminary Outline
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In your first outline, you will outline the major
topics you plan to cover in your research
paper.
Your first outline will be created when you
begin your initial research.
Your initial research will help your formulate
the major topics of your paper.
Taking Notes
You may take notes in one of two ways:
Lotus Charts
Note Cards
Lotus Chart
Definition
1
Pollution from caol burning
factories contributes to a high
incedence of acid rain.
notes
notes
1
notes
“Acid Rain.” Grollier MultiMedia Encyclopedia. 2006.
Scholastic: 15 March 2006.
<http://go.grollier.com/gol>
notes
notes
notes
notes
Note Cards
If you choose to use note cards, there are two
types of cards you will create:
Source Cards: One card for each of your
8-10 sources.
2. Note Cards: Note cards that contain
information related.
1.
Source Card
MLA
Citation for
the source
from which
you are
taking
notes.
Each source
card should
be given a
number.
1
“Acid Rain.” Grollier Multi-Media
Encyclopedia. 2006. Scholastic: 15 March
2006. <http://go.grollier.com/gol
Note Cards and Source Cards
Source Number
Note Card
(corresponds to
source card)
Slug (outline
heading)
Causes
1
Pollution from coal burning factories contributes to
a high incidence of acid rain.
p. 17
Notes:
One fact
or quote
per card
Page # where
information is
located.
Advantage of Lotus Charts
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Everything in one place
Easy to keep together
Easy to copy and paste information
Can be cut up when note-taking is complete
and organized before composing paper.
Advantage of Note Cards
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Work well for individuals who work better with
pen and paper
Can be moved around to organize your
paper.