1. 6-10 Page Argumentative Research Paper
RESEARCH PROCESS
6-10 Page
Argumentative Research Paper

2. *UNDERSTAND EXPECTATIONS
Stay focused and review examples CLOSELY!
Keep on track! Follow the calendar!
Know that there is help available Me
English Resource – 113 open ALL DAY
WT English Resource – ask for a pass

3. Brainstorm Topics Choose a topic that will interest you
Choose a topic you have some passion about
Choose a topic that is interesting, debatable, and focused (6 pages is not that long, so it will need to be narrow).

4. Begin Research Find sources that seem CREDIBLE and helpful
Always check for source credibility/reliability
Use Willowbrook Databases FIRST
ALWAYS write down the source information once you know you will be using the source (SOURCE CARDS)
Figure out some key words
What will you search?
What will your main arguments be?

5. Take Notes (Note Cards)
In order to avoid accidental plagiarism, follow these steps when taking notes:
Read the source
Look AWAY and think about the information
Write down notes IN YOUR OWN WORDS that will help you remember the information
If you know you would like to use the information as a quote, write down the information word for word and put it IN quotation marks

6. Formulate a Thesis What will you be claiming exactly?
Remember, thesis statements should be interesting, debatable, and focused.
See your packet for more information
Formulate after you have read sources from both sides
ALSO – decide on some main arguments that will support your thesis. This will help keep your research focused.

7. Keep taking notes and finding sources!! – more source and note cards
This is a process – you will want to make sure you have plenty of information to draw from.
Most of your paper will be YOUR OWN WORDS, supported by research.
Remember, good arguments have strong ethos and logos. Research will help provide your information (logos) and make you appear credible (ethos).

8. Outline
Once you think you have enough, begin to organize your main arguments that will support your thesis.
Organize the research that will help support those main arguments.

9. Create Works Cited Page
Use Noodle Tools to Create Your Works Cited
Only include sources you cite in your paper – not everything you looked at

10. Revise Thesis
Look at your original claim and work on the structure of the sentence and make it even more focused than before.

11. Drafts
You will need to write at least two rough drafts of your paper and one final draft, but I always encourage more.
The more you revise, the better the paper will be!
Follow MLA Formatting Guidelines

12. CITE all information properly
We will spend a lot of time making sure you know how to properly cite your researched information. You cannot pass this paper without citing and providing a works cited page. That is the PURPOSE of this project.
Cite Direct Quotes
Cite Summaries
Cite Short Paraphrased Information

13. Getting Ready - PRACTICE
Practicing Elements of the Research Paper
GUN CONTROL SYNTHESIS – See Topic
Source Cards
Works Cited
Note Cards
Thesis
Outline
Paper (2-3 pages written in class)