1. “How to write the best RESEARCH paper ever”

2.  You’ve already learned to write a literary essay, and here you will learn how to use the basic format you have learned, and apply this to writing a research paper.  Quick Review: turn to the person beside you, and tell him what the basic components of an essay are.

3.  Thesis = Research Question  5 Paragraph structure  Content of each paragraph depends on whether you structure your question as a problem or an issue.

4.  You’ve been both reading and viewing a variety of information on our broad topic, Climate Change.  Many of you have already started to think about a more narrow topic within our broad topic.

5.  The research question that you select for your overall project will probably be a broad one. It may cover many smaller problems and issues that can be researched individually. Example Topic of Interest: Desertification Step One: formulate a possible question (your questions should (if at all possible) have the term “climate change” in it

6. Research Subtopic: Problem  Desertification of land Research Subtopic: Controversial Issue  Diversion of rivers in China to combat desertification

7. PROBLEM CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE 1. Background 2.Causes 3. Effects/Impacts 4.Solutions/Mitigations 5.Reaction/Personal position 1. Background 2.Pros 3. Cons 4.Alternatives 5.Reaction/Personal position

8. 1. Background What is the current state of desertification in China? 2.Causes What causes desertification? 3. Effects/Impacts What effect does desertification have on the lives of Chinese citizens/residents of Beijing/ residents of provinces close to desertification? 4.Solutions/Mitigations What can be done to reduce or slow the process of desertification? 5.Reaction/Personal position

9. 1. Background What is river diversion and why has it been planned? What rivers will be diverted, and where? 2.Pros What are the positive reasons to implement river diversion? 3. Cons What are some negative reasons to implement river diversion? 4.Alternatives What are other possible solutions to combat desertification that have been proposed? 5.Reaction/Personal position

10.  Bibliography MUST follow MLA format