1. Research Paper Notes
Mrs. Luehrs

2. Brainstorm a list of possible topics
Topic Choice
Brainstorm a list of possible topics
Choose the one that you want to learn the most about
Develop a thesis statement
Specific subject followed by a limited focus
Create a basic outline

3. Keep track of your research on note cards
Prewriting
Keep track of your research on note cards
Each note card must have its own citation…yes, you will need to copy it over and over again
Front—citation information
Back—any notes that you take from the source
You may only have 1-2 notes per card and they must be on the same topic
Your notes will be in the form of direct quotations

4. Example front of a note card
Last name, first name. “Title of
Article.” Name of Magazine.
Date: Volume. Page
numbers.

5. Example back of note card
--Direct quotations with
page/paragraph numbers

6. Taking notes
Make sure that you place quotation marks around word-for-word quotations

7. Organizing your research
Arrange your note cards into their most logical order (color code them)
Use them to construct your writing plan
Make sure that you have enough researched information to back up your opinions
Number your note cards or head them to coordinate with your outline

8. Writing your introduction
You must set the tone for your paper. Give the reader just enough information to get them interested and ready to learn about your topic.
Hook
Explain hook
Connector sentence
Thesis
Lead in

9. Follow along with your outline
Writing your body
Follow along with your outline
When you get to a point when you want to use a source note card, copy or paraphrase what you have on your note card into your paragraph

10. Citing your sources internally
You will need to cite your sources
Use parenthesis to do this
Put the author’s last name inside of the parenthesis along with the page number (if any)
Make sure that your period goes after the parenthesis

11. Required format for adding quotations: This is not a body paragraph format…this is within your paragraph!
Introduce your quote
Quote (direct or paraphrased)
Explain your quote
You must show me the how and why, not just tell the what
Use in-depth analysis
Explain, explain, explain
Remember to assume that your reader has no prior knowledge (because they probably don’t…Remember, Mrs. Luehrs is not a walking encyclopedia

12. Conclusion Sum up main points Restate your thesis
Closing argument and position statement
Remind the reader what you wrote about!!!
Don’t assume that they understood anything that you wrote, so reintroduce/restate to ensure comprehension
Do not add new information…new information goes in the body, not in the conclusion

13. Works Cited Page
When you have finished with your paper, you must attach a works cited page
This page lists your sources from your note cards alphabetically
Be sure that you use the format given in the MLA Handbook or from your notes

14. Conventions!!!
Refer to the rules of writing in your notes from the first week of school
Let’s go over them again….Open your notebooks!!!

15. Questions???