1. Parts 1 and 2
The journey begins…

2. Before you begin writing…
Open a brand new Word document. You will go back and forth between typing and reading this Power Point.
Save it in your home folder (I would create a Research folder for all your research stuff), as the file name “AP Research Paper.”
Please use a proper MLA format for your heading: Your name, AP English 12, Teacher Name, Due Date (29 May 2013)
This is NOT a header! DO NOT USE HEADER AND FOOTER for your heading.
You can give your paper a title later
We can deal with the header later.
Save to your home folder AND your flash drive. I would save this power point, too!
This research paper in all ONE document. You will keep coming back to this file as your create it!!!!!!
Now you’re ready to start writing Parts 1 and 2!

3. Part 1: Overview Please label Part 1: Why I’m writing this
In this section explain why this topic has selected you, and why you have a vital need for this information. There’s a reason the novels you chose spoke to you and your passionate mind. Make sure you use descriptive details to create a real, living, breathing person (you) behind the words. You are telling a story.
This part should be from your first-person point-of-view and should address how the books got you thinking and what about.
It should be interesting and engaging. Don’t make me fall asleep.
This section should be about one page MAX.
When done, move on to next slide.

4. When you are ready to start writing Part 2,
Part 2: Overview
Please label Part 2 What I know and want to know: This section explains the knowledge you had and didn’t have prior to the search. It can synthesize the themes presented in your novels along with any previous knowledge or research you had completed.
Part 2 should be about 2 paragraphs long (one page max):
The first paragraph explains what you already knew
The second paragraph explains what you want to know and plan to find out, and ENDS with your thesis
*Part 2 is a continuation of the same document. DO NOT START A NEW FILE! YOUR WHOLE PAPER WILL BE IN THE SAME FILE! Don’t forget to label Part 2 like you did Part 1.
When you are ready to start writing Part 2,
move to the next slide.

5. Part 2: first paragraph: “What I already Knew”
To begin Part 2, you need to explain what you already knew about this topic before you started researching.
In this first paragraph, remember:
Make it sound like your voice.
Don’t just list things—that’s boring.
Be thorough—this should be a good-sized paragraph, not just a few sentences.
Make a smooth transition from Part 1.
Write your first paragraph of Part 2!
When you are finished, move to the next slide.

6. Part 2: second paragraph: “What I want to find out”
In this second paragraph, you will explain what you intend to find out in your research. These ideas will probably turn into the subsections/topics of your paper.
In this second paragraph, remember:
To transition smoothly from the previous paragraph
DO NOT just list your subtopics—that’s boring.
You’ll need to turn each subtopic from a question to a statement. You may NOT have a bunch of sentences that are questions in this paragraph.
Make sure to list ALL the subtopics that you want to research.
The very LAST sentence of this paragraph and this section of your paper should be your thesis sentence .
Your thesis will probably need revision. It will be a very complex sentence.
Write your 2nd paragraph of Part 2!
When you are finished, move to the next slide.

7. Congrats. You’re done with your first draft of Part 1 and 2
Congrats! You’re done with your first draft of Part 1 and 2. Time to double check:
Does your Part 1 and 2 sound like you? Is your personality obvious from what you wrote?
Is Part 1 clear about why you are writing about this topic? Is it an interesting story?
In Part 2, is your first paragraph all about what you already knew about the topic before you did any research? Is it really thorough and interesting?
Is your second paragraph all about your what you want to know?
Are your subtopics interesting and creative?
Did you turn your subtopics into statements, and avoid using questions?
Did you avoid just listing a bunch of subtopics, and instead did you write a variety of different types of sentences?
Did you end your 2nd paragraph with your working thesis statement?
If you can answer YES to all these questions,
move on to the next slide.

8. Wow, you’re done with Part 1 and 2—Woo hoo!
Save it in your research folder AND onto your Flash drive
Print out a copy and bring it to class tomorrow.
If you have extra time, you should:
Go back and revise, or proofread for typos, grammatical errors, etc.
Help out a classmate!