1. Nov 1
“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, its time to pause and reflect.”
Mark Twain
1. Give the meaning.
2. Give an example.

2. Be Aware Report card on Thursday Progress Report on Friday
Countee Cullen Response, Harlem Renaissance Test, Rhetorical Analysis Unit Test-Make up by Tuesday of next week
Their Eyes Were Watching God Project due Nov 13
Harlem Renaissance Thematic Essay due Nov 9
Tutorial tomorrow until 4

3. The Research Paper

4. Title Page

5. Outline

7. Annotated Bibliography

8. Four Guiding Questions
1. What is a research paper?
2. What is the purpose of a research paper?
3. What are the steps to writing a research paper?
4. How do I narrow down a topic?

9. The Research Paper
A thesis-driven essay that uses relevant, credible sources to support its ideas and arguments.
Includes:
Title page
Outline
Essay
Annotated Bibliography
A research paper makes a claim about a topic and justifies this claim with specific evidence.
The goal of a research paper is to convince the audience that the claim is true based on the evidence provided.

10. Know Your Topic!
You will need to do more than just present information that you have gathered or regurgitate facts that you researched.
You will need to take a stand and provide evidence to shape the material and offer your interpretation of the material.

11. You MUST choose a controversial topic that is arguable and debatable.
Topic/Issue
You MUST choose a controversial topic that is arguable and debatable.
A topic is what the essay or research paper is about. It provides a focus for the writing.
An issue is a concept upon which you can take a stand.
Ex: While "nuclear waste" is a topic, "safe and economic disposal of nuclear waste" is an issue.

12. Step by Step Process: Beginning the Research Paper
Select a topic
Check to ensure research is available for your topic
Limit your topic - (It should not be too broad or too narrow).
Create a working thesis statement (a statement of what you plan to research).
Conduct research
Prepare a bibliography
Write your working outline
Begin writing your research paper

13. Choosing A Topic Strategies for Choosing A Topic/Subject Brainstorming
Brainstorming
Free-writing
Clustering
Reading
Questioning
& Answering
Am I truly interested in the subject?
Does it meet the requirements of the assignment?
Do I have access to enough information?
Is the subject limited enough?

14. How to Narrow your Topic
Example: I'm thinking of doing a paper on "education." This topic could develop in many different ways.
Hint: Ask Yourself Questions About Your Topic:
What do you know about it? What don't you know?
What aspects or sub-points of your topic interest you: historical, sociological, psychological, etc.?
What time period do you want to cover?
What is controversial about this topic?

15. Sample Topic Narrowing Chart:
General Topic:
Education
Time span:
20th and 21st century
Place: US
Person or group:
Youth/High School
Debatable Aspects: (What do you want to argue or prove about the topic?)
Problems in the American education system

16. Question Generation
Ask specific questions about your topic that could lead to a debate/argument.
For example – (Topic) Animal Testing
1. When products are tested on animals, are safety precautions used?
2. Are there any existing laws which gives animals rights against harmful testing?
3. Have animals died or suffered adverse side effects as a result of product testing?

17. Critical Thinking Groups
Instructions:
For each idea given, create a chart to narrow the topic down to an controversial issue in which your group can take a stand.
Generate three questions about this topic that could lead to an argument.
Be prepared to present your answers!

18. Topics
TEEN PREGNANCY
CHILDHOOD OBESITY
SCHOOL VIOLENCE
DEATH PENALTY

19. Class work/Homework
Endangered animals, rap music, and technology
Create 3 charts and the questions to narrow the topic down to a controversial issue in which you can take a stand.
All charts & questions are due tomorrow.
You must select your topic FOR YOUR RESEARCH PAPER and present it to me on a folded sheet of paper with your name written on the front.
No one will be able to change their topic. NO EXCEPTIONS!
Due Date: