Research Project English I

What is a research paper? A research paper is an essay which contain facts, figures, and opinions gathered from outside sources. Examples of sources include: Books Magazine articles Scientific papers or journals Pamphlets Credible online sources Interviews

Research Topics In English I, you will research a person who could be considered a hero, and write a paper in which you prove or disprove this status. You must choose a person from the list and sign up in class. Only one person per class may be researched. You will have time in the lab to research a few topics to find one of interest.—this is the ONLY time you can use Google and/or Wikipedia.

Research Questions The topic is the broad view. Research questions are more specific questions about a topic. Once you have a topic, you need to write 5-7 questions that you will want to answer through your research. These are called “component questions”. These questions will guide your research and your essay.

Example of Topic and Component Questions Main Topic: Jonny Cash Component Questions: What did Johnny Cash contribute to music? What was his most impressive achievement? What were some of his political views, and how did he express them in his music?

Where we will NOT find information Google, Yahoo, Bing, etc. are search engines. We will not use these. General Google searches are forbidden! The Internet is a great tool, but anyone with a computer can post information. Weeding through the junk can take up too much time.

Where we WILL find information Online Academic Databases collections of published articles from reputable sources. They weed out the junk and you can generally trust the sources. In addition, databases make finding sourcing information needed for Works Cited pages easy.

Databases available through the EHS library: The EHS Library has access to several databases, including: SIRS: This site is designed for high school research; good for topical, controversial issues. GALE: newspaper and periodical articles, academic journal articles, and a biography resource center, which we will mostly be using. EBSCO: This is a history reference database Facts on File News Archive: Newspaper and magazine article archive, plus fact sheets about issues and controversies.

Note Sheets: Collecting info Taking notes is the best way to collect and understand the information you read. Taking notes, rather than simply highlighting, is also a way to start putting much of the information you will use in your own words. This will help you begin to “write” your paper even before you start a first draft. You MUST take notes by hand for this project. You may not copy and paste into a word document.

Notes Sheet Layout MLA Citation:________________________ Main Idea of article (your own words):______________________ Facts/ Examples/ Supporting details:_________________________ Direct Quotes: Words taken directly from source.—use quotation marks! Paraphrase: Retelling in detail something you’ve read in your own words. This can be done for an entire paragraph or an entire piece. Summarize: Telling the main ideas of a selection concisely, in logical order, but in your own words.

Parenthetical Documentation and Works Cited Page We will be using MLA style in writing this research paper. This stands for “Modern Language Association”. This is the style used most often in the liberal arts—history, languages, sociology, education, etc. MLA style requires you to cite your sources in two ways: Works Cited Page Parenthetical citations

Works Cited Page A complete list of every source of information used in your paper. Provides information necessary for a reader to locate and retrieve any sources in your essay. Gives credit to the authors of the information upon which you relied to write your paper.

Sample Works Cited Page Alphabetized by author’s last name. Different kinds of sources require different information. A list of source types and examples will be given.

Works Cited Most citations will need the following basic information: Author’s name Title of work Publication information (where was it published, when, by whom?)

Parenthetical Citations These are citations that go within the body of your paper. You need to cite a source whenever: You quote exact words from a source You paraphrase information or ideas from a source You summarize information or ideas from a source

Handling quotes in text Author’s last name and page number must appear somewhere in the text. Two different ways this can be done: Romantic poetry is characterized by the “spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings” (Wordsworth 263). Wordsworth stated that Romantic poetry was marked by a “spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings” (263). Notice that there is no comma between author and page number, and that the period goes AFTER the citation.

More tips on parenthetical citations Sometimes you will need more information in the citations: If you have sources with the same last name, include first initial, for example. (W. Wordsworth 23); (D. Wordsworth 224) If the source has no author, then use an abbreviated version of the title: Full Title: “California Cigarette Tax Deters Smokers” Citation: (“California” 14) If the source is only one page in length or is a web page with no apparent pagination: Source: Dave Poland’s “Hot Button” web column Citation: (Poland)

MLA Style Books When in doubt, refer to a copy of the MLA style manual. We will have copies of these in the computer labs.

Outlining After your research is complete, and before you actually begin writing, you need to organize your work. Group together note sheets with similar or exact topics. Use each of these groups as a main section of your outline. Within these groups, cluster note cards together into subgroups. Begin with general information, and behind these put supporting details, quotes, and statistics that support the main point.

Topic Outline and Sentence Outline The topic outline is simply an outline that allows you to begin building some logical form. This outline includes key phrases and topics. A sentence outline is a more thoroughly written outline that will be an early model for your first draft. This should include full sentence structure, intro, thesis, parenthetical citations, and conclusion.

Research Paper Guidelines Must be 3-5 typed pages, double-spaced, Times New Roman font, with standard margins. At least three sources used Must contain parenthetical citations whenever outside information is used. (Be it direct quote or paraphrasing. ) Format: MLA style Each source must be used at least once. Notes sheets You should have a completed packet of notes Works Cited: Alphabetical order List all sources One source card per listed source