English 11 Writing/Communication Mr. Rinka Lesson #25 Research Paper Steps 1 - 6

Writing a Research Paper A research paper is an essential part of academics. Most students will be assigned at least one research paper in high school and many research papers in college, regardless of their major. For help, follow these steps.

Research Paper Process #1 Choose a topic that interests you. #2 Identify the goal of the paper. #3 Find good sources. #4 Write a working thesis statement based on the goal of the research paper.

#5 Create your graphic organizer for your paper. #6 Compile and structure the “meat” of the essay. #7 Write your outline with citations. #8 Create your body paragraphs for each prong. #9 Create your Introductory and Concluding paragraphs.

#10 Revise and edit your paper. #11 Create the Works Cited Page. #12 Publish your paper.

#1 Choose a topic that interests you. The more enthusiastic you are, the easier the research paper will be to write. If the instructor provides you with a topic or a list of topics to choose from, choose one that overlaps with things you’ve already studied so that the work goes quickly.

#2 Identify the goal of the paper. Generally, speaking, there are two types of research paper: An argumentative research paper takes a position on a contentious issue and argues for one point of view. The issue should be debatable with a logical counter argument.

An analytical research paper offers a fresh look at an important issue. The subject may not be controversial, but you must attempt to persuade your audience that your ideas have merit.

#3 Find good sources. Ideally, you should use a variety of sources, including websites, books, academic or professional journals, periodicals, and interviews with experts. Realistically, however, a lot of your sources will be found online. Look for credible websites that end in.edu or.gov. Only use.com

addresses that have well established reputations for excellence. (ex. MayoClinic.com). A research paper should use at least four sources, but your instructor may require more. If the credibility of a source could be questioned, do not use the source.

#4 Write a working thesis statement based on the goal of the research paper. A thesis statement summarizes the overall point of a paper by making a claim and then listing points that will be used as evidence to support it. This working thesis statement may change during the course of your research.

The thesis statement is almost always presented in statement form (roughly speaking: such and such is true because of x, y, and z). Avoid weakening your stance by saying “I believe,” “I think,” “some believe,” etc. (After all, the whole point of the paper is to prove that the thesis is correct.)

If your assignment is to write an argumentative research paper, the thesis statement should state your position on the issue and offer several main points indicating why your research backs up your position.

If your assignment is to write an analytical research paper, make your working thesis a research question. Your answer to the question will later become your thesis. For example, if your topic is on the book To Kill a Mockingbird, your research question might be, "What role does honor play in To Kill a Mockingbird ?"

Research Paper Example Topic: Stress Question: What do I need to know to understand the impact of stress on my life?

Research Paper Example Thesis Statement: In order for the people to understand stress, one needs to know what causes stress, what effects stress has on people and how can stress be alleviated.

#5 Create your graphic organizer for your paper. Based on your thesis statement identify your three prongs and their sub-prongs.

#1 Prong#2 Prong #3 Prong Restated Thesis Statement. Thesis Statement 2A 1A 1B 1C 2B 2C 3A 3B 3C

Introductory Paragraph The introductory paragraph should: start with a Hook (quote, eye- opening facts or statistics, short anecdote, etc.) A further explanation of hook Thesis Statement (contain 5 – 8 sentences)

1A life events #1 causes 1B occupation 1C lifestyle Each of three prongs begins with a transitional statement, and mini- thesis statement. Each detail is a separate paragraph addressing points made in the prong introduction. Follow the paragraph format.

Concluding Paragraph The concluding paragraph of the research paper should: restate your thesis statement in different words summarize your three main points end with a strong statement (contain 5- 8 sentences)

Graphic Organizer for Stress #25 Graphic Organizer

#6 Compile and structure the “meat” of the essay. The meat of the essay (which will later become the body paragraphs) is the evidence that is addressed and analyzed. It helps your process to compile your evidence on notecards containing singular facts. You can order and reorder your evidence easily.

MLA Handbook h_Papers h_Papers The MLA Handbook is an academic style guide widely used in the United States, Canada, and other countries, providing guidelines for writing and documentation of research in the humanities, such as English studies (including the English

language, writing, and literature written in English); the study of other modern languages and literatures, including comparative literature; literary criticism; media studies; cultural studies; and related disciplines. The MLA Handbook is addressed primarily to secondary- school and undergraduate college

and university teachers and students. According to the MLA, "For over half a century, the MLA Handbook is the guide millions of writers have relied on," and "It provides an authoritative presentation of MLA documentation style for use in student writing."

Bibliography Cards Source # Bibliographic Entry

Bibliographic Entries #25 MlA format for Writing Bibliographic Entries

Note Cards Source # Prong# & Letter One fact or two very closely related facts Page #

Things to remember when doing research: More is always better. Make sure cards are complete. Use your own words in noting facts. Color-coding can help organization. Do not number note cards until you have the final order determined. Do not put a lot of facts on one card.

Bibliography Cards Source #1 Stevens, James. Stress: A Modern Plague. Chicago: McDouglas Publications, 2009.

Bibliography Cards Source #2 Henson, Robert. “Dealing with Stress in Our Lives.“ Modern Health June. 2010:

Bibliography Cards Source #3 Mason, Dr. William. Personal interview. 24 May 2010.

Source #4 Nelson, Sarah. “Recognizing What Causes Stress and How to Deal with them." Journal of Health 85 (2008), April 2008 < Bibliography Cards

Introductory Paragraph The introductory paragraph should: start with a Hook (quote, eye- opening facts or statistics, short anecdote, etc.) A further explanation of hook Thesis Statement (contain 5 – 8 sentences)

Note Cards Source # 3 Intro Hook “Stress is the single most deadly factor in the lives of modern Americans.” interview

Note Cards Source #1 Intro info Stress is the physical, emotional and psychological reaction to any factor in a person’s life. Page #5

Note Cards Source #1 Intro Info Stress causes disruption to sleeping, eating, exercising, relaxing, interacting and enjoying life. Page #5

Note Cards Source # 1 Intro Info Stress can be the direct or indirect cause of many diseases from heart attacks and strokes to diabetes and depression. Page #5

1A life events #1 causes 1B occupation 1C lifestyle Each of three prongs begins with a transitional statement, and mini- thesis statement. Each detail is a separate paragraph addressing points made in the prong introduction. Follow the paragraph format.

Note Cards Source #4 1A Major life events = births, deaths, moves, marriages, divorces and any endings or beginnings = major stressors. Page # 70

Note Cards Source #4 1A Drastic change = highest life event stressors. Page # 71

Note Cards Source #4 1A Deaths= serious life event stressors. Page # 72

Note Cards Source #4 1A Divorce= serious life event stressors. Page # 72

Note Cards Source #2 1A Happy events like births and marriages are also great life event stressors. Page #74

Note Cards Source #2 1A births with a total change to a family activities and responsibilities = stress. Page #74

Note Cards Source #2 1A Marriages = a once in a lifetime event = great life event stressors Page #75

Note Cards Source #2 1B minor and major stresses are tied to jobs and job related activities. Page #76

Note Cards Source #2 1B Work with demands of time and effort inherently causes stress. Page #77

Note Cards Source #2 1B The every day grind of work with overtime work and major projects creates stress. Page #77

Note Cards Source #2 1B Technology now allows one to take work anywhere and infringes more and more on private lives. Page #78

Note Cards Source #4 1B Threat of losing job can be a constant stressor. Page #77

Note Cards Source #4 1B In hard economic times, the fear of losing a job is present and causes great worry. Page #77

Note Cards Source #4 1B Not only losing a job but losing a promotion can be stressful. Page #78

Note Cards Source #1 1C Our modern life styles add a great deal of stress. Page #87

Note Cards Source #1 1C family, household, social activities when added to both parents working = stress. Page #87

Note Cards Source #1 1C Two parents working or a single parent family = a great deal of responsibility + time, effort = stress. Page #88

Note Cards Source #1 1C Trying to maintain a social life or personal time = stress. Page #89

Note Cards Source #3 1C “Our consumer society adds greatly to financial stress and worry.” Interview

Note Cards Source #3 1C People constantly bombarded with ads feel they must consume things to find happiness = people feeling they do not have enough. Interview

Note Cards Source #3 1c The need to consume leads to the acquisition of debt = long term financial stress. Interview

Graphic Organizer for Stress #25 Graphic Organizer

Research Paper Assignment Write a research paper using one of the following American authors explaining the influence the author’s life had on his/her works. Nathaniel Hawthorne Mark Twain Emily Dickinson

Any aspect of the author’s life should be considered: Where and when he/she lived Cultural influences Family influences Relationships Experiences Education Abilities or Skills

Your paper should be 8 – 10 pages long and follow the method and format presented in these lessons. You must use at least six sources. When using text from Project Gutenberg ( ) submit as a book reference.

Assignment # 1 #1 Choose a topic that interests you. #2 Identify the goal of the paper. #3 Find good sources. #4 Write a working thesis statement based on the goal of the paper. #5 Create your graphic organizer for your paper.

Assignment # 2 #6 Compile and structure the “meat” of the research. Create your bibliography cards and gather all your research on note cards.

English 11 Writing/Communication Mr. Rinka Lesson #25 Research Paper Steps 1 - 6