1. Problem-Solution Research Paper
and STEM Culminating Project Spring 2018

2. The Problem? Fossil Fuels
Your task: to conduct research on a potential solution to the problem of using fossil fuels as a source of energy.
Ultimately, you are using this research to:
1. Write a paper, focusing on one specific type of sustainable energy that could be used to replace fossil fuels in the future.
2. Develop a proposal that will resolve the fossil fuel issue for a specific country.

3. Your paper must include:
a). An explanation of the research and technology creation that has already been conducted to develop this renewable energy source.
b). An analysis of the benefits and drawbacks or potential problems associated with this energy source.
c). A projection of what else would need to happen in order for this energy source to be used on a larger scale

4. 3 sections in the body of the paper
This is a research paper. Therefore, you must include research. You should have at least 4 different sources cited in your paper.
You will use in-text citations as well as include a Work’s Cited page.
Your paper will contain
3 sections in the body of the paper
Section 1: your explanation of renewable energy
Section 2: your analysis
Section 3: your projection
An introduction to the problem
A conclusion giving your recommendation
MLA Formatting
Works Cited page
3-5 pages (not including your Works Cited)

5. What is the process?
First, focus on gathering and organizing your research
Second, hone your citations
We will review MLA Citations after gathering preliminary research.
Third, create your first written draft
We will walk through what information needs to go where in class.
We will walk through how to cite your sources.
Fourth, revise a final copy

6. Full Time Line Introduce Research Paper - February 2018
Library Days
Monday, 4/16
Tuesday, 4/17
Thursday, 4/19
Introduce Research Paper - February 2018
Explain assignment, begin organizing research
Due Date #1 –Wednesday, 4/11
Research/Source check (Notecards)
Include sources (citations) and relevant information (paraphrase/summary or quotes)
Due Date #2 –Wednesday, 4/18
Peer review #1, rough draft due
Due Date #3 – Friday, 4/ Final paper due

7. Work’s Cited For information about manual citations, please visit
You can also use online citation machines like easybib.com to create your MLA formatted citation
Indent after the first line of text for each source
This is called a hanging indentation
This is the same style we used for our “Cask” essay
Double-space consistently throughout
Do not skip extra lines
Arrange alphabetically
Use author’s last name
If no author available, use title of work
Basically, you want your in-text citation to match the first words in your references entry so that your reader can easily find the full reference

8. Let’s view some examples:
Basic Book :
Beavan, C. (2009). No Impact Man: The Adventures of a Guilty Liberal Who Attempts to Save the Planet, and the Discoveries He Makes About Himself and Our Way of Life in the Process. New York, NY: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux.
Author
Date of publication
Title
Place of publication (City, ST)
Publisher

9. In-text Citations Be sure to cite your sources when you: Include:
Use a direct quotation
According to Ms. Turner, “this research paper is due on April 20th” (2018, p. 3).
Paraphrase/Summarize information
We must submit our research papers on April 20th (Turner, 2018, p.3)
Include:
Author
Date of publication
Page number for print sources
Subheading and/or paragraph number for electronic sources

10. Fine-tuning your in-text citations
There are multiple ways to cite; use a variety throughout your paper
Do not repeat information
According to Ms. Turner, “this research paper is due on April 20th” (2018, p.3).
According to Turner (2018), “this research paper is due on April 20th” (p.3).
We must submit our research papers by April 20th (Turner, 2018, p.3).
Pay attention to details!
Quotation marks around quotations
Complete sentences- you fill in your own words to make that happen- you must introduce the quotation!
Source information in parentheses
Notice where the period is!

11. Formatting Typed and double-spaced Set 1” margins on all sides
Use 12-pt Times New Roman font
Include last name and page numbers in upper right corner (header)
Include name, teacher, class, and date in upper left (heading)