THE RESEARCH PAPER

What is a research paper?

• A research paper is a carefully planned essay that shares information or proves a point.

Choosing a research topic

• Am I truly interested in the subject?

• Does it meet the requirements of the assignment?

• Do I have access to enough information?

• Is the subject limited enough?

Getting Started

• Choose a topic based on requirements.• Ask yourself questions:

• What do I know about the topic?• What would I like to learn?• What will others learn from reading my

paper?

Formulate a Question• Decide what question you want to answer with your

research. • Formulate a Question – the answer to the question

becomes your thesis question.• For example:

– How does exercise improve someone’s mental health?– What are the effects of violent video games on elementary

school children?– What was the impact of Cubism on early twentieth century

culture?– Should elementary schools provide more programming in

the arts?

Starting Your Research• Decide what kind of information that you

need based on your research assignment. • The information will be determined by your

topic and assignment requirements:– Current or historical or both– Biographical information– Criticism and analysis– Statistics– And More

Writing a thesis statement…

A specific subject+

a particular stand, feeling, or feature

= an effective thesis statement

Thesis Checklist

•Identifies a limited, specific subject

•Focuses on a particular feature or feeling about a subject

•Supported with convincing facts and details

•Stated in a clear, direct sentence (or sentences)

Sample thesis:

Writing assignment: Research paper about social issueSubject: Homeless peopleThesis question: Who are the homeless (SUBJECT) and

what are the reasons for their predicament?(FEATURE)

Writing assignment: Research paper about human growth and development

Subject: Personality traitsThesis statement: Certain personality traits(SUBJECT) are

shaped primarily by the person’s peer group. (POSITION)

Searching Tips

• Begin by writing some basic questions that you would like to answer in you report.

• Any time you find information that answers a question, take notes on it.

Information PACKAGES

• Personal sources• Books• Reference works• Periodicals• Audiovisual• E-mail• Government or

business publications

EVALUATINGthe

INFORMATION

Is the information current?Is the information complete?Is the information accurate?Is the source an expert?Is your source biased?

OUTLINES

• Outlines organize your research material. Without it you would not know what areas of your research are lacking or the order you need to go in when you write your drafts.

Bibliography Cards

• Use to keep track of sources

• Organize by author’s last name

• Number each entry in the upper right hand corner of the card

Source 1Olsen, Shawn M. Chocolate Lover’s Guide. Hayti: Charger Publishing, 1987.

Summary/Quote cards:

• Note cards:

– Record details, information, quotations

– Record page number where information can be found

– Use descriptive word or heading at top

Early Years of Hershey Source 1

The first company was located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the new enterprise was named the Hershey Chocolate Company.

How they beat competition: With mass production, Hershey was able to lower the per-unit cost and make milk chocolate, once a luxury item for the wealthy, affordable to all.

pg. 5-6

Writing the draft

• “When you are writing nonfiction, there’s no use getting into a writing schedule until you’ve done the research and you have the material.”

-Tom Wolfe

Getting started...

Arrange your note cards into their most logical order.

Construct an outline---a writing plan

Search for any additional information needed to develop thesis

1. Developing your research question and research content-

2. Writing the outline-

3. Writing the first draft -

4. Revising-

5. Proofreading and Editing-

6. MLA Documentation-

Giving proper creditMLA documentation – there’s a certain way to cite or “give credit” to your sources. MLA is one of many formats for citing information – both parenthetically (in parentheses) and in your Works Cited

AVOIDING PLAGIARISM-the act of presenting someone else’s ideas as your own.

Final copy requirements-

Title pageOutlineHeadingPage numberingBodyWorks Cited

Example of a completed

research paper