MARCH 18 TH – APRIL 18 TH TOPIC: AMERICAN CULTURE IN YOUR CHOSEN DECADE 8 th Grade Research Paper

Research Paper Expectations Minimum of 2 pages in length, double-spaced MLA format (more about this later) Minimum of 3 sources, maximum of 6 sources No more than 10% of your paper should be quoted material Your paper should address several of the subtopics listed on your guidelines sheet

Other Information The process will take three weeks  The final due date is Wednesday, April 13 th There will be checkpoints several times a week where you are given a +,, or - for the work you have completed. Late work will receive an X. You must develop a research question. Your thesis must answer this question. An exemplary thesis proposes something … what point are you trying to make?

What will I hand in? You will hand in … 1. Rubric/Checklist 2. Outline 3. All notes 4. Paper (with Works Cited page)

Notes & Sources You will be keeping detailed records of your sources Each source will require a separate sheet of paper  Your notes must contain the proper MLA citation at the top of the page  Quotes are block indented  Commentary is aligned left  Use highlighters, symbols, different colored pens, etc. to label your notes according to your subtopics

Research Notes Example

BECAUSE I SAY SO Mrs. Cukiernik, I am a lazy baby – why do I have to take notes by hand?

Taking Notes By Hand Copying and pasting IS NOT note taking Forces you to determine what information is vital Encourages you to paraphrase and summarize, which helps you to avoid plagiarism Discourages you from including extraneous sources Ensures you have access to your notes in the event that technology does not cooperate

Computer Usage We will have use of the laptop cart for most of the research process. This time is very valuable. If you do not use it effectively, you will find yourself in a hole that will be difficult to emerge from. You will be receiving a grade based on your ability to meet checkpoint dates. You will not receive a check if you are not finished by the checkpoint date. Use of class time is an important component of your rubric.

Time to get organized! Organization is the key to success Missing work = no grade

Important Dates Tuesday, 4/5– All sources due with a typed WC page (end of class) Friday, 4/8 – All notes due (end of class) Monday, 4/11 – Detailed outline due (end of class) Tuesday, 4/12 – Formatted paper due (start of class) Wednesday, 4/13– Final copy with Work Cited page submitted to turnitin.com by 11:59 Monday, 4/18 and Tuesday, 4/19 – Folder due; presentations