1. A Different Kind of Research Paper Developed by Ken Macrorie
The I-Search Paper
A Different Kind of Research Paper
Developed by Ken Macrorie

2. Traditional Research Paper:
Responds to a teacher-directed question or topic
Reports data and information that develops
a thesis
Written in an objective, academic voice
I-Search Paper:
Reports data and information that
answers that question, and
incorporates the student’s story about
the process
Responds to a question or topic that
the student has carefully crafted
Written in both first and third person, combining an
academic tone with personal voice

3. Parts of the I-Search Paper
Introduction: (1 well-developed paragraph)
Explains why the student is interested in this question
I wanted to know more about________ because…
______began to interest me when_______
I’ve always been interested in_______, so I wanted to
explore why/how_______

4. …and how she went about learning about it:
With the help of _______, I _______
My first step in the process of answering this question
was to___________
I soon realized that I needed to_________

5. Part II: The Findings: 6-8 well-developed paragraphs
Mostly third person (about the topic), but can include
personal commentary.
It was surprising to find out that…, so my next questions
were about…
After finding out that…, I was curious about…

6. Part III: The Conclusion (1 well-developed paragraph)
The writer sums up the experience of her pursuit of
answers to the question.
Although I would probably never actually…, it has been
interesting to discover that…
In doing this research, my thoughts have changed about… because…
Now that I know more about…, I'm interested in pursuing … even further. My next step will be…

7. Sample Sources: At least ___(print and non-print)
Annotated Bibliography
One-sentence annotations
Sample Sources: At least ___(print and non-print)
Print
Internet (not .com)
Interviews
Movies
Televison
Podcasts

8. Traditional Research Paper
Difference in Tone
Traditional Research Paper
I-Search Paper
Enthusiastic
Inquisitive
Conversational
(but not slangy)
Formal
Objective
Academic

9. Sample Topics
A profession that interests you
An aspect of your cultural background that interests you
An issue or problem that does (or might) affect you now, or at some
point in the future
A specific activity or event that interests you (ex. The Iditarod)
Something about local history

10. Lawrence Middle School,
Sample Introduction
Boom! You’re sitting in a movie theater and all of
a sudden a car blows up. Or you’re quietly munching
on your popcorn while your favorite bad guy gets shot
and almost simultaneously starts to bleed. Did you ever
wonder how these special effects are created? I certainly
have. Sometimes I get so involved in figuring out how a
special effect was accomplished that I lost interest in the
movie. That is why I chose special effects for my I-Search
topic.
Lawrence Middle School,
Lawrence, New York

11. Sample Introduction II Lawrence Middle School,
Submarines helped find the remains of
many ships, and also expanded our knowledge
of the giant body of water that we call the
ocean. I have wondered about the ocean ever
since I was young. In this report, I will show you
what I have learned. My search question is: How
do submarines expand our knowledge of the ocean? .
Lawrence Middle School,
Lawrence, New York

12. Sample Conclusion
The reason why I chose animal treatment is because I was
curious as to why they give certain things to my animals when
they get sick. My question was: How has technology affected
veterinary care? Now I know about some of the medicines
they give our animals. I feel much better when the vet
prescribes medicines that will make Lilly Mary Margaret
better..

13. We carefully formulated the I-Search question.
1a. We wrote the introduction.
We sketched out a research plan to guide
how to gather information.
3. We sketched out the “information and data”
part of the I-Search paper.
4. We wrote the first draft.
5. We planned out the points of revision: vocabulary,
organization, additions, deletions, clarifications
6. We wrote the revision and conclusion.
7. We proofread (or, had someone helped me proofread)
for errors, and corrected them.
8. We shared our I-Search and celebrated!