In your journal…

1. In your journal… • Make a list of 10 people, places, things, or issues you are interested in and/or would like to learn more about.

2. English II Eng II Mrs. McLeod Writing a Research Paper

3. Contents • Research Paper: Background • The Thesis Statement • Organizing your Paper • Incorporating and Citing Research

4. What is a research paper? • Research (noun) – careful or diligent search. (verb) To search or investigate exhaustively. • A research paper combines two activities: • Doing research • Writing an academic paper • What a research paper is NOT: • A book report—reporting facts from one book • An essay—generally all about your ideas • Journalism—without bias

5. Research Paper:WHY?????? • How to do and useresearch • Prepare for college and the world of work • Researching and writing • Problem-solving and organization • Self-discipline and time management • Explore and share a chosen area of interest

6. 10th Grade Research Paper:Requirements • 4-5 pages • MLA style • 4 sources (2 print, 2 internet) • Rough draft (best effort possible, including all necessary components) • Revised final paper (following teacher and peer suggestions, accompanied by rough draft)

7. MLA Style • MLA stands for Modern Language Association • Refers to the style of mechanics of writing such as punctuation, quotation and documentation of sources. • Required format in Language Arts classes

8. Basic MLA Requirements • Typed, Double-spaced • Times New Roman font - 12 pt • 1-inch margins • Your “Works Cited” page will be an additional page.

9. Possible 200 Points • Thesis statement - 15 pts • Outline- 20 pts • Note cards - 25 pts • Rough draft (brought to class) - 40 pts • Final draft - 100 pts

10. In your journal… • Choose one of the 10 topics of interest you listed and free-write about it.

11. The Power of the Right Topic • Don’t underestimate this part of the project! • A great topic can help lead you an A • A bad topic can doom your paper before you start writing it! • Your topic guides your research and your thesis • Guides your attitude towards your paper • Pick a topic with care, and you’ll be well on your way to a great research paper

12. Topic Selection: Hints and Help • Be interested! • A career? • A cause? • A hobby? • A person or place of interest? • Broad enough to access information, specific enough to make research possible • STRETCH! Challenge yourself academically and creatively

13. Need Some Topic Ideas? • Favorite Historical Figure—Abe Lincoln, Helen Keller, Ronald Reagan, Martin Luther King Jr. • Favorite Author, Artist or Musician—Jane Austen, Pablo Picasso, Bob Marley, The Beatles • Important Issues—Obesity, Gun Ownership, Homelessness, Teen Pregnancy, Drug Abuse, Stem Cell Research, Recycling, Oil Drilling, Global Warming, Cell Phone Use/Texting • Career Choices—Nursing, Teaching, Engineering, Journalism, Military • Hobbies—Photography, Piano Playing, Football, Soccer, Volunteering Activities, Vacation Choices • Medical Issues and Treatments—Breast Cancer, Parkinson’s Disease, Depression, ADHD, Gene Therapy

14. Narrowing Your Topic Ask yourself: What angle am I taking on my topic? What is my unique stance? NARROWED TOPIC • The Beatles • Drug Abuse • Cell Phone Use/Texting • Global Warming • Volunteering • Football • Teaching • The Beatles’ Impact on American Music • Effects of Long-term Drug Abuse • The Dangers of Texting While Driving • The Myth of Global Warming • The Benefits of Volunteer Vacations • Football: Then and Now • Measuring the Effectiveness of a Teacher TOPIC

15. DUE MONDAY • Choose your basic topic • Narrowed topic proposal due beginning of class Monday • Media/computer time Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

16. What is Plagiarism? • The use of another’s thoughts, words or concepts without proper attribution • Considered intellectual property theft, a serious, punishable event with serious consequences • Unethical • Various forms: • Copying from source research—articles, web sites, etc. • Using a sibling’s or friend’s paper • Purchasing a paper • Work must be original, with all sources properly cited

17. 5 Easy Ways to Earn a Zero • Plagiarize—all papers must be submitted to turnitin.com • No “Works Cited” page • No in-paper citations • One paragraph paper • No paper

18. Writing a Research Paper: The Thesis Statement

19. What is a Thesis Statement? • The glue that holds the paper together; the premise that will be defended or refuted • Should be: • Focused • Arguable • Interesting • Typically the last sentence of the introduction

20. Thesis Statement:The Three-Prong Approach Main Argument/Position Lists 3 main points within your thesis statement that support your main position Sets up a logical outline of your entire paper Each supporting point becomes a topic sentence within the body of the paper Example: Practicing ballet can benefit any athlete because it improves flexibility, increases agility, and instills self-discipline.

21. Thesis StatementWhat it is NOT: • It is NOT the topic itself • Example: “Eminem’s life story” is not a thesis. • Your opinion on how Eminem’s early life—the abandonment by his father, economic struggles, and failures in school-- impacted his music could be. • It is NOT a statement about or a summary of the research you’ve done. • “The history of professional football dates back many years” is not a thesis. • Your opinion on the three most significant changes in the sport—ie., in equipment, player salaries and international expansion—could be. • It is NOT a general statement of opinion unsupportable by research • Example: “My favorite kind of dance is ballet” is not thesis. • Your opinion on the benefits of ballet to the athlete—i.e., that it improves flexibility and agility and instills self-discipline—could be.

22. Developing a Thesis 1. First, write down your topic. 2. Now, write your statement of purpose. “I intend to show…” “I intend to prove…” “I intend to demonstrate…” 3. Finally, just eliminate the beginning of your statement of purpose.

23. Developing a Thesis: EXAMPLE • First, write down your topic: PRIMITIVE ART 2. Now, write your statement of purpose: “I intend to show that collecting primitive art can be an inexpensive, enjoyable, and profitable venture.” • Finally, just eliminate the beginning of your statement of purpose: “Collecting primitive art can be an inexpensive, enjoyable, and profitable venture.”

24. Exercise Develop a three-prong thesis statement on why FCAT practice assessments should/should not be given to 9th and 10th graders every Friday.

25. DUE DATES • Outline w/ thesis and 10 note cards: 3/24 • First draft due: 3/29 • “Works Cited” Page 3/30 • Final Paper 4/4

26. Submit with Final Draft • Final Paper—typed in MLA format • First draft—written on one side of paper in blue or black ink • Outline---with finalized thesis statement • Note Cards—minimum of 10

27. Writing a Research Paper Organizing your Paper

28. Taking Notes on Research • Summary: To record the general idea of a long paragraph, several paragraphs, or a chapter—summarize in your own words • Paraphrase: Restate particular ideas or pieces of information from a small section in your own words • Quotation: For a passage that is particularly significant or well-stated, you may quote it word-for-word. Be sure to use quotation marks.

29. Creating Note cards • TITLE: What is the subtopic or category from outline? • FACTS: Write info from your sources—summarize, paraphrase or quote • One single fact per card • SOURCE: Include the source of the information and the page number • FORMAT: See handout • REQUIRED: Minimum 10 note cards; at least two cards for each source

30. The Outline: Your Road Map • Organizes your thoughts and research into a cohesive, structured whole • Don’t just toss everything under your thesis statement and hope it makes sense! • Arrange information to follow your argument • Eliminate anything that isn’t logical, relevant or effective • A strong organization plan makes your job much easier!

31. Research Paper Outline • Introduction • Introduce topic • Deliver your thesis statement—last sentence of intro • Body • First major supporting argument • Statement of argument • Reasoning and research/evidence • Second major supporting argument • Statement of argument • Reasoning and research/evidence • Third major supporting argument • Statement of argument • Reasoning and research/evidence • Conclusion • Thesis restatement • Argument summary, broader implications

32. The Body:Setting up your Arguments • Ask yourself: • Is it relevant to your thesis? • Do you have sufficient supporting evidence? • Is it critical, or am I attached because I found research? • Does it fit logically within the paper, or is it a departure? • Organize • Strongest to weakest • Chronological • Logical flow

33. Writing a Research Paper: Creating the First Draft

34. Rough Draft Info • 2 class days to work in class • Students will have access to: • Dictionary • Note cards • Sources • MLA format sheets • May use cell phones for Thesaurus and citations

35. Rough Draft Format • Write in blue or black Ink • Write your name in top right of every sheet of paper with a page # • Write on only front side of each piece of notebook paper • Indent every paragraph • Use proper MLA citation when you use info from source card

36. Rough Draft Do’s and Don’ts • No first person or second person • No contractions • Use formal tone • Watch punctuation • If you pause while reading, use commas. • There is to be no talking during rough draft writing; this is a testing setting. • Rough drafts will collected by teacher for review and returned for students to type, edit, rewrite for final drafts.

37. Writing a Research Paper: Incorporating and Citing Research

38. Incorporating your Sources • Know when to use what. • Quotations: Use sparingly. Only if succinct, beautifully worded and original. • Paraphrasing: A great way to capture an expert opinion and make it concise. Cite it! • Balance research and opinion. Not only the research, but your take on it. • Guide your reader. Tell her how to interpret the material.

39. Introducing your Sources • Only you know who your sources are. • Include credentials the first time you name a source. INNEFFECTIVE: “Ed Said argues…” EFFECTIVE: “Ed Said, a well-known professor of Middle East Studies at Columbia University, writes…”

40. Citing Sources • Don’t cite common knowledge (CK) • Appropriate for a reference book • CK: Columbus sailed for America in 1492. • Not CK: A theory about Columbus’ motivation to explore • Widely known, often referenced • CK: We know little about Shakespeare’s life • Not CK: Shakespeare’s marital situation

41. Understanding MLA Style • Modern Language Association • Detailed guidelines for citing sources • Used in most academic papers • Adds credibility to your work • Two main components: • In-text citations—generally author’s last name and page number in parentheses, i.e., (Hemingway 23) • Works cited list—a detailed list of all your sources Any source that is included in your paper should be included in your Works Cited list, and vice versa

42. Don’t worry about memorizing the many citation rules!You can refer to

43. MLA Basic FormatBook: In-text Citation (Author, page number) Examples: As one author notes, “If I am lukewarm about the dahlia, I am red hot about the bearded iris” (White 97). If the author’s name appears in the text, you don’t need the name in parentheses: As author Katharine S. White notes, “If I am lukewarm about the dahlia, I am red hot about the bearded iris” (97).

44. MLA Basic FormatBook: Works Cited Author’s last name, first name. Title of Book. City of Publication: Publishing company, publication date. Example: White, Katherine S. Onward and Upward in the Garden. Boston: Beacon Press 2002.

45. MLA Basic FormatMagazine: In-text Citation Same rules for book: (Author, page number) Examples: “Where,” asks writer Brittany Thoreau, “have all the career-focused mothers gone?” (23)

46. MLA Basic FormatMagazine: Works Cited Author’s last name, first name. “Title of Article.” Title of Magazine Month. Year: Page numbers. Example: Thoreau, Brittany. “The Opt-Out Epidemic.” Manhattan Mother Jan. 2004: 23-26.

47. Some web sites include authors or editors, some do not. Use all the relevant information you can in this order: • Author’s Name • Material’s Title • Web Site Title • Name of editor(s) • Publication date or last update • Name of sponsoring organization • Date accessed • URL in <brackets> MLA Basic FormatWeb Site: Works Cited Examples: Nolan, Hamilton. “Individuality Is a New Luxury Automobile.” Gawker. Ed. Nick Denton. 25 Feb. 2008. March 2008 <http://www.gawker.com/news>.

48. Other MLA Citation Requirements • First Page • Name, instructor, course title and date in upper left corner. • Title centered above body • Last name and page number on upper right of every subsequent page • Works Cited Page • Center words Works Cited above list • Capitalize all main words in a title • Alphabetize by author’s or editor’s last name • If no author exists, alphabetize by title • Indent the second and all subsequent lines in list • Remove hyperlinks

49. The Body:Using Topic Sentences • One key point per paragraph • Reveals the point of the paragraph it introduces • Transition from preceding paragraph • “Another type of dance to consider…” • “After focusing on the religious significance, it is also important to consider…” • “In a related incidence…”