1. The Research Process
Using Folders and Taking Notes to Write a Comprehensive Research Report

2. How do you eat an elephant?
QUESTION:
How do you eat an elephant?

3. Answer:
One bite at a time.

4. Cutting Up the Elephant
Works Cited/ Title Page
We are helping you to break up the research project into manageable “bites.”
Report
Essential Questions
Notes and Annotations
Outline

5. You Will Produce 6 Items:
A Proposal outlining what you want to research
A Folder complete with proposal, sources and annotations
An Outline
The Report
A Title Page
A Works Cited document

6. Bite #1 - Write a Proposal
The proposal will detail three main items:
Why you are interested in this topic
What you already know about the topic
What you want to learn.
This is IMPORTANT. Knowing what you want to learn about helps you research efficiently. These questions will direct your research.
Your teacher has given you an handout with an example of a proposal – USE IT!!! In fact, you should have the purple packet out every period you are in the library researching.

7. Bite #2 – The Folder
The folder will help you organize your work and makes writing an outline (Step 3) much easier.

8. The Folder The folder will contain the following:
All papers that your teacher gave you regarding this assignment
6 sources, minimum (copies that you highlight and annotate)
20 note cards (minimum)

9. Labeling Your Folder Pockets
Look at the list of questions you generated in your PROPOSAL
Do two or three questions belong together? If so, they will be written on ONE pocket of the folder (especially if the answers to the questions are short).
Think about how you will organize your paper. Wht will be your first paragraph – this should be your first pocket.
Write the questions from your proposal on the pockets of your folder.

10. Folder Basics
The Pockets Ask the Questions The Annotations Answer the Questions in your own words The Citations at the top of each source Prove Where You Obtained the Information.

11. A Source CitationLooks Like This:
Author’s Last, First. “Article Title.” Book Title. City of pub.: Publisher, year of publication. Print.

12. The Process Looks Like This . . .
Open a book and skim the headings and information. If it looks useful
MAKE A COPY OF THE PAGES YOU NEED.
Write the CITATION at the top of the page.
Then, read the relevant sections and take notes. As you read, HIGHLIGHT portions of text that answer your question.
Immediately after reading and highlighting a section, write your thoughts and what this information means to you in the margins by the highlighted text. This is ANNOTATING.
After annotating a source, transfer your annotations to index cards and place in folder.

13. 20 Cards, Now What???? Once you have 20 or more cards, organize them.
Make sure you have good information that answers your question.
Now, Use the cards to create an outline

14. Bite #3 – Write an Outline
This too, is in the handout your teacher gave you. For tips on how to make writing the outline easier, go to the Library website and find the “Teacher Resources” page. There will be a link to Writing an Outline on that page.

15. Bite # 4 – Write the paper Double spaced (Control + 2)
A new page (Control + Enter) for the title page, outline, paper, and works cited pages.
Header at the top. Numbering starts after the title page. This is tricky.
View Header and Footer Align Right and type your last name.
Now find the “Insert” tab at the top of the page and Click on “Page Numbers” Uncheck “Start at First Page”
Click on the “Format” box and in the box after “Start At” type in the number 0.
Click OK to the boxes and your header should show up on the page after your title page.

16. Bite # 5 – Title Page (this is the easiest part- really)
Centered
NOT underlined, all caps or weird font
Title about 1/3 way down the page
Your name about ½ way down the page
Your class Enter Your Teacher Enter the date (due date) at the bottom of the page (at about 10 inches)

17. Bite #6 – Works Cited Hanging Indent Double Spaced Alpha Order
The easiest way is to simply type each entry without worrying about the hanging indent. Simply “Enter” between each source. When all sources are typed, go to “Format” “Paragraph” “Special” “ Hanging” and the format should be completed for you.

18. Final Steps/Checks
Make sure you have checked the entire document BEFORE you print. Go to “View” “Print” to see a print view. Or “File” “Print Preview” will do the same thing.
Make sure there are no spelling errors.
See the example at: