1. TIME TO PICK YOUR TOPICS JANUARY 26, 2012

2. INTRODUCTION We have been working on formatting reports using the MLA format. Now, it is time to start choosing your research topic. Your report has to be: MLA format a minimum two pages long, with 3 – 4 resources on the Works Cited page. One resource MUST be a book. Include rough draft notes that you used to compose your report. Works Cited are in alphabetical order.

3. REFERENCES Lesson 4, page 97. Formatting an academic report. Appendix D, page 711. Notes Proofread for mistakes, grammar. Hanging indent, page 106; step 7.

4. STEPS BEFORE JUMPING TO A REPORT When you write a comparison essay, you should go through a number of steps before you jump into writing the introductory paragraph. You will make a list of things that are similar about your two topics, You with make a list of characteristics that are very different. After you make these lists, you'll put together a single statement that states an overall assessment of your comparison. This statement will be your topic sentence. Your lists will provide topics for your body paragraphs.

5. FORMAT Introduction Paragraph 2 first topic. Paragraph 3 next topic. Paragraph 4 similarities and differences. Conclusion Works Cited (alphabetical order, use hanging indent) Last name and page numbers Font Style (Arial, New Times Roman, Calibri) Font Size of (12).

6. Music vs. Books Online classes vs. Traditional classes College Life vs. High School Life Facebook vs. Twitter Lady Gaga vs. Madonna Pop culture in the 1980s & the Pop culture in 2000 Comparing Harry Potter with Lord of the Rings Life in the past vs. Life in the future Women 100 years ago and Women today Being an employee vs. Being self employed. Being Rich vs. Being Famous Country living vs. City living Yoga vs. Aerobic exercise Organic farming vs. Conventional farming RESEARCH TOPICS

7. Comparing Iraq with the Vietnam War Rihanna vs. Nicki Minaj vs. Beyonce A female friend vs. a male friend Two candidates competing for office Venus Williams vs. Serena Williams Physical beauty vs. Inner beauty Two places you have visited. Hybrid cars vs. Regular cars. RESEARCH TOPICS CONTINUED

8. DEADLINES Research topic – Thursday, January 26, 2012 Completed report Friday, February 3, 2012. February 17, 2012, Monday for pullout students.