1. The “I-Search” Paper A different kind of research paper

2. A Typical Research Paper Generally, a typical research paper reports data and information that helps develop a thesis, or a main idea. An I-Search paper tells the story of how a writer goes about finding information.

3. Differences A traditional research paper does not use “I” (or uses very little of it) It generally consists of reported facts and data used to develop a thesis. An I-Search paper uses “I” because it tells a story. It might have an implied thesis, and it not only reports facts, but it describes how they were found.

4. Example of an “I-Search” paper I wanted to uncover what made Italian cinema so popular in the 1960s and 70s. A fan of Clint Eastwood movies, I was surprised to learn that he made several of his most popular Westerns in Italy. To learn more, I tried a subject search through the MCC Virtual Library.

5. Example (Cont.) With the help of Bill Getty’s book, Essential Spaghetti Westerns, I learned that Eastwood made three westerns with the famous Italian director, Sergio Leone (23). Eastwood decided to dub his own lines, a move that Getty claims made him famous (25). Having read that, I began to wonder about other actors.

6. Example (Cont.) I began to wonder if Eastwood was unique in being an American actor who dubbed his own lines, so I continued my research. Finding little else under the subject of “spaghetti westerns,” I used Dr. Ford’s suggestion and tried another key word search, this time simply using the phrase “Italian popular cinema.”

7. The attitude to go in with An exploratory attitude. Don’t just report facts. Explain how you uncovered them

8. Also include: What questions you wanted to answer. What you hoped to find out. What answers surprised you, or didn’t surprise you.

9. Be inquisitive You must show some curiosity about your subject. Showing little interest in your subject will diminish your grade. Show creativity in using different kinds of sources.

10. Opening doors with your sources 5 sources required 2 must be print sources 2 must be electronic sources The fifth is up to you

11. Stuff you will have to turn in An annotated bibliography (at least 7 sources) Notes (either on standard paper or note cards) Two rough drafts Photocopies and/or print-outs of sources

12. Getting started Complete Journal #12 by freewriting about one of the following: A profession or career you want to enter An aspect of your cultural background that interests you. An issue or problem that might affect you at some point in the future. A figure from history or popular culture you’re interested in. Or, a topic that you know something about and would like to learn more.

13. Secondary or Primary source? Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain The Declaration of Independence The Penguin Guide to Hip Hop on CD Ten Years of Terror: Reviews of Horror Films from the 1970s. An interview with a professional in a field you want to enter