The Research Paper Process English 9

Research Process Step 5- Create Outline Step 1- Choose a Topic Topic Outline 1st step Sentence Outline 2nd step Step 6- Write Rough Draft Document Sources Step 7- Revise Rough Draft Find and correct errors Double Check Requirements/Rubric Step 8- Finalize Paper Step 1- Choose a Topic Understand Prompt Step 2- Research Locate Sources Evaluate Sources Step 3- Take Notes Document Source Information Step 4- Formulate a Thesis Three Point Written in 3rd Person

Research Paper Format MLA Format (See Research Packet) Proper heading & page header 12 pt. Times New Roman Double Space Minimum 10 Internal Citations Support topic/thesis Address opposition Works Cited Mandatory At least three (3) reputable sources Follow proper works cited format

Starting Your Research Use resources from the school and/or local libraries in print or online. Books Non-Fiction Fact Based- Encyclopedias Magazines Time Newsweek Newspaper Articles Wall Street Journal New York Times Detroit Free Press/ Detroit News/Macomb Daily

Starting Your Research (continued) Online sources should be credible. Simple Searches (an acceptable way to begin) Google Yahoo Online Databases (where to hang out the most) Google Scholar Info Trac ProQuest Mel.org JSTOR

Evaluating Sources Examine all sources and determine usefulness. Check the extensions .com (caution!), .edu (yes!), .gov (yes!) Educational tend to be more reliable sources

Evaluating Sources (continued) Just because it’s in print/online does not mean it is useful. Anybody can put anything online Just because it looks professional doesn’t mean it is. AVOID the following: Wikipedia (1 exception!) Yahoo Answers Ask.com Blogs

Five Source Standards Expert Author: Reputable Scholarly Journal: The article should appear in a university press, an academic press or a peer-reviewed press. A credible source from a scholarly journal or database should contain a bibliography or a works cited list that demonstrates the author’s research. 5. High-Quality Content: The author’s material should be clearly organized and relevant to the topic at hand. And of course, the article should be well written and free of grammatical and spelling errors Works cited : http://www.eliteediting.com/blog/post.aspx?id=98 Expert Author: The author should be an authority on the subject matter. The article will typically list the author’s academic degree and affiliate institution. 2. Author Objectivity: The author’s purpose is to inform, educate and explain. The author’s arguments should be support by properly cited facts from multiple sources. Peer/Scholarly Reviews: The article should be reviewed by other experts in the author’s field of study. One of the best! Experts reviewing experts.

So, you’ve got your topic …and you know where to get good sources Watch this tutorial THEN… Let’s practice some thesis statements! Remember 3 points, no facts (you’ve got to have something to prove), and stick with 3rd person (no “I” no “me” no “we” no “you”)

Thesis Prompt: Health Risks of a fast food diet Bad Example: Do NOT write, “Eating fast food is bad and should be avoided.” This statement is too general and would be nearly impossible for you to defend. It leaves a lot of big questions to answer. Is all fast food bad? Why is it bad? Who should avoid it? Why should anyone care? Good example: DO write, “Americans should eliminate the regular consumption of fast food because the fast food diet leads to preventable and expensive health issues, such as diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.” In this example, I’ve narrowed my argument to the health consequences related to a diet of fast food. I’ve also chosen to focus on Americans rather than everyone in the universe. A good thesis is focused and not too broad.

Prompt: Homeless population increasing in Detroit Bad Example: Do NOT write, “There are high numbers of homeless people living in Detroit, Michigan.” No one can argue for or against this statement. It’s not debatable. It’s just a fact. An argument over this non-debatable statement would go something like this: “There are lots of homeless people in Detroit.” “Yes, there sure are a bunch of them out there.” “Yup.” As you can see, that’s not much of an argument. Good example : Do write, “Homeless people in Detroit should be given access to services, such as regular food donations, public restrooms, and shelter facilities, because it would improve life for all inhabitants of the city.” Now that’s debatable. Opponents could easily argue that homeless people in Detroit already receive adequate services (“just look at all those luxurious sidewalks!”), or perhaps that they shouldn’t be entitled to services at all (“get a job, ya lazy loafers!”). A good thesis is centered on a debatable topic.

Thesis Prompt: Second hand smoke Bad Example: Do NOT write, “Secondhand smoke is bad and can cause heart disease and cancer; therefore, smoking should be outlawed in public places, but outlawing smoking is unfair to smokers so maybe nonsmokers can just hold their breath or wear masks around smokers instead.” A wishy-washy statement like this will make your reader scratch his head in puzzlement. Are you for smoking laws or against them? White Sox or Cubs? Cubs or White Sox? Pick a side, and stick with it! Then stick UP for it. Good example: Do write, “Secondhand smoke is just as harmful as smoking and leads to a higher prevalence of cancer and heart disease; therefore, people who inhale secondhand smoke are doing so without their consent and for this reason, smoking in any public place should be banned.” A good thesis picks a side.

Thesis Prompt: Benefits of moving to Mars Bad Example: Do not write, “Humans should relocate to Mars.” This statement doesn’t include any supporting claims. Why should humans move to Mars? What are the benefits of moving to a planet without oxygen or trees? Good example: Do write, “It is too late to save earth; therefore, humans should immediately set a date for their relocation to Mars where, with proper planning, they can avoid issues of famine, war, and global warming.” This statement includes some thought-provoking claims. The reader will wonder how the author plans to defend them. (“Famine, war, and global warming can be easily avoided on Mars? Go on…”) A good thesis makes claims that will be supported later in the paper.

Evaluation Sources http://www.sadlier-oxford.com/grammar/writingresearchpaper.cfm?sp=student

Taking Notes Review sources Take notes on your note sheet with relevant and detailed information. Use a different note sheet for each source of information. Indicate whether the material is a quote, paraphrase, summary, statistic, or your own idea. You will need this for your works cited page

Taking Notes Use the following for information regarding topic: Paraphrase Restate the material in your own words Obviously include all important information Summarize In your own words, write down only main idea Quotes Copy word for word, including punctuation. Use quotation marks

Proper Citation If you use someone else’s words you must cite it. Two ways to cite: Adding the author’s name in the quote: Write the quote with the author’s name in the sentence. Write the source in parenthesis after the citation. According to James Smith, Wordsworth stated that Romantic poetry was marked by a "spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings" (The History of Wordsworth).

When to Cite You paraphrase information from a source give the meaning but change the wording. You got an idea from somebody else, even through email or conversation. You summarize in your own words someone else’s words or thoughts. Any time you make a claim that is not based on a well-known fact or common knowledge. You make a claim that could be challenged. You quote somebody. Offer an authoritative or expert opinion. Beware of Plagiarism

What You Need for Proper Citation Author and/or editor names (if available) Article name in quotation marks (if applicable) Title of the Website, project, or book in italics. Any version numbers available, including revisions, posting dates, volumes, or issue numbers. Publisher information, including the publisher name and publishing date. Take note of any page numbers (if available). Medium of publication. (website etc) Date you accessed the material.

Outline The outline is your pre-write for the process. Outlines help group ideas together logically and organize your thoughts. Formal outline shows: The main points of a topic The order ideas are to be presented The relationships among them.

Types of Outlines Two types of outlines: 1. Sentence Outline: Each main topic and subtopic is written in a complete sentence. 2. Topic Outline Uses words or phrases instead of complete sentences. Choose one form DO NOT MIX FORMS WITHIN YOUR OUTLINE

Correct Outline Form 1. Center the Title at the Top of the Page. Below it, write your thesis statement, or a shortened version of it. 2. Subdivide topics by a system of numbers and letters, followed by a period 3. Each heading and subheading must have at least two parts. Use the arrangement of numerals and letters. You may use the default version in Microsoft Word

Sample Outline Form Sample Outline.pdf