Research+Paper

**__The Research Paper__**
email: fanslaul@parklandsd.org

//** Research Assignment #1: What is the Research Paper?**// You will be writing a 3 to 5 page //**argumentative**// (a.k.a. persuasive) research paper. Purdue's Online Writing Lab (a resource you will use in this project) defines an **//argumentative//** paper as one that "makes a claim about a topic and justifies this claim with specific evidence. The claim could be an opinion, a policy proposal, an evaluation, a cause-and-effect statement, or an interpretation. The goal of the argumentative paper is to convince the audience that the claim is true based on the evidence provided" ([|http://owl.english.purdue.edu]).

We'll complete this project over the course of the next month by completing various individual assignments that together will comprise your complete Research Project. Instead of thinking that you have to write a 5 page paper, think of it as completing several smaller, shorter assignments that, when put together, create the 5 page paper. __The writing process and writing style you'll utilize in this paper are probably the closest to the type of writing you'll be expected to do independently in college.__

Click on the following link to view **possible** research topics. [|Possible research topics]

Follow the steps listed below to complete your first assignment.

__**//Directions//**__ [|Research Topic Sheet.doc]
 * 1)** First, create a folder in your student directory to keep all of your materials for this project. Name this folder "ResearchPaper_firstinitiallastname". For example, "ResearchPaper_lfanslau".
 * 2)** Download the following files into your folder.

[|CP Research paper Specs and Dates.doc]

[|Research paper example.doc]
 * 3)** Open the "SpecsandDates" file. You will use this to keep track of your individual assignments during the project and the points you earn on them.
 * 4)** Open the "Researchpaperexample" file. This file is an example of the type of paper you will be writing (it was written by a former student). This is a good sample paper with solid organization and good use of evidence and details to support the author's thesis, but like most papers, there is always room for improvement. Read the paper and use it to answer the following questions:
 * What is the author's thesis (or argument)? Where is this sentence(s) found?
 * Provide three examples of evidence that the author uses to support her thesis/argument. Are these pieces of evidence statistics, the author's own opinion, or other types of information?
 * Explain one thing the author did well in her paper. Consider aspects of the paper such as whether or not she is focused on supporting the thesis, whether or not paragraphs are organized, whether or not she uses transitions, spelling or sentence errors, and anything else you find.
 * Explain one thing the author could improve in her paper. Consider the same things listed above.
 * These questions are DUE DURING CLASS ON THURSDAY 4/9.**

//**Research Assignment #2: Topic Exploration**// In this assignment, you will explore a few different topics in order to decide what you want to write about for your actual paper. Make sure it is something you are interested in, but realize that it does not necessarily need to be something you already know a lot about (you will learn plenty about it during the research process!). Good topics are those that you are already interested in, those that have some connection to a career you might be interested in pursuing, or those that you have some personal connection to (relating to family or friends perhaps).

__**//Directions//**__ [|Research Paper Topic Exploration.doc]
 * 1)** Download and open the following file and read the directions:


 * 2)** Use the Opposing Viewpoints Database (see the bottom of this page for link) to complete the "Topic Exploration" sheet. Print your sheet when completed (alternatively, you can print the sheet first and complete it by writing rather than typing).

__**Homework**__ Open and print the "Topic Sheet" from Assignment #1. Use what you learned in the Topic Exploration assignment to complete the assignment.

[|Research Topic Sheet.doc]

Get this signed by me and a parent/guardian for credit. **DUE WEDNESDAY 4/15.**

//**Research Assignment #3: What is a Thesis Statement?**// Now that you have a few ideas for a topic, we have to figure out just what sort of argument you want to make about your topic. Maybe you're interested in Stem Cell research, but remember this is an **Argumentative research paper.** Your primary goal is to convince your reader of some point related to your topic. You want to inform your audience about stem cell research, but mainly for the purpose of making some argument about it. In other words, "The government should support stem cell research because..." or "The government should ban stem cell research because..." (the supporting points of your argument would follow the "because").


 * __//Directions//__**
 * 1)** Download and open the following keynote file (it's currently a .zip file). It will explain what an argumentative thesis statement is, show you the characteristics of a good thesis statement, and provide you with a few examples of effective and ineffective thesis statements.

[|research paper_thesis statement.1.key.zip] (keynote file for Mac users)

[|research paper_thesis statement.1.ppt.zip] (powerpoint file for PC users)

When you've finished viewing the Keynote or PowerPoint, be prepared to answer the following questions: 
 * What is an argumentative thesis statement?
 * What are the characteristics of an effective argumentative thesis statement?
 * What are the two main components of an effective argumentative thesis statement?

 //**Research Assignment #4: Creating a Working Thesis Statement**// In this assignment, you will first view and critique some sample thesis statements, and then you will create your own working thesis statement. A **working thesis statement** is to a thesis statement what a rough draft is to a final copy of a paper; **a working thesis statement** is simply a rough version of your argument. You will likely change and improve it as you learn more about your topic.

__**//Directions//**__ [|WORKING THESIS STATEMENTS.doc]
 * 1)** Download and open the following file for examples of working thesis statements:
 * Choose what you believe are the two most effective thesis statements. Why are they effective?
 * Choose what you believe are the two most ineffective thesis statements. Why are they ineffective? How could they be improved?
 * 2)** Using what you've learned about what makes an effective argumentative thesis statement, create a working thesis statement for your topic. Remember to include a claim and as specific support as you can at this point in the research process. Post your topic and your working thesis statement in the following discussion thread: [|Post your working thesis here.]
 * POST YOUR THESIS ON THE DISCUSSION BOARD BY MONDAY __MORNING__ 4/20.**

//**Research Assignment #5: Making Your Sources Work for You: Quoting, Paraphrasing, Summarizing**//
 * 1)** Go to [|this site on quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing] to learn what, why, and how to use each in your paper.
 * 2)** After reading about quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing on the previous site, **use one of your chosen articles** or [|use this sample essay] to practice these skills.

//**Research Assignment #6: Pulling Evidence From Your Sources**// [|Research Reading.doc]
 * 1)** Download and open the following file:
 * 2)** Select one of the articles you found and read it. As you read it, search for evidence and statistics that relate to your argument and use it to complete the "Research Reading" sheet. Pull at least one of each (quote, paraphrase, and summary) from your article. Print and turn in the sheet for credit.

//**Research Assignment #7: Build Your Collection of Sources**//
 * 1)** Use the library's resources and search engine ([|Library Catalog Search]) (then click on the "Parkland High School" link) to //**__find at least 10 potential sources__**//. __//**At least one of your sources must be a physical book**//__ (that's part of what libraries are for...). The library is also the place to print out hard copies of all online articles that you find. Keep these articles in a folder and keep the folder with you during class. We'll use these in the coming classes.

//**Research Assignment #8: Keeping Track of Sources and Building the Bibliography**// A **bibliography** is "a list of source materials that are used or consulted in the preparation of a work or that are referred to in the text" (dictionary.com). In other words, it's a record of all the sources that you used to research the topic you are writing about. Including a bibliography at the end of a research paper is one step to preventing yourself from being accused of plagiarism; it's part of giving credit to the authors that you are borrowing from.

[|Color-coded Bibliography Guide]

[|Works Cited basics] NOTE: You'll find plenty of other links to help you cite and keep track of sources at the bottom of this page. [|bibme.org] [|easybib.com] [|noodletools.com] (login: parkland password: Noodle1)
 * 1)** See the following site at the OWL for an explanation of what a bibliography is as well as multiple resources for citing sources:
 * 2)** See [|this link] for a sample Works Cited (Bibliography) page. This will give you an idea of what the end product will look like.
 * //Your final Bibliography must include at least __10 sources__//, //__at least one of which must be a book__.//**
 * 3)** Create and add to your Bibliography as you find more sources that you are reading for your paper. Every time you find and read a new source, add it to your Bibliography page. You can type and format the Bibliography on your own by using the guidelines set forth in the OWL site above, or you can use any of the following sites that will help format it for you:
 * __Bibliography Building Tools__**
 * 4) Using one of the previous sites, begin to build your Bibliography page. Make sure to format it as indicated in the MLA Bibliography Sample page.**

__**NOTE NEXT ASSIGNMENT DUE DATE: 10 Source Bibliography DUE **__**__by end of class 4/29__**

//**Research Assignment #9: Evaluating Online Sources: Who Can You Trust (and how do you know when you can't)?**// [|Evaluating Online Sources Tutorial_studentquestions.doc] You will use the link to "A Tutorial on Evaluating Online Sources" to complete the questions. You may work on your own or in a group of up to 3 people. Print and complete one sheet for your group. [|A Tutorial on Evaluating Online Sources] Additionally, if you're looking for more information, here is an OWL handout on evaluating online sources: Open in Adobe. [|owl_evaluatingonlinesources.pdf]
 * 1)** Download the following file:
 * 2)** See the following site for a rundown of how to determine whether an online source can be trusted. This is the site you will read and use to complete the worksheet questions:

//**Research Assignment #10: Bibliography Continued**// Continue working on your bibliography. Use any of the sites and tools we discussed in previous lessons to complete it. [|ProQuest Platinum] We'll discuss ways you can use it to help you, however. For example, [|check out this page] and scroll all the way down to the "References" section. You can use the references from a wikipedia article to find other potentially reputable sources on a topic. //**Bear in mind that this is a WORKING bibliography; I'm expecting that you will add to it, delete, or modify sources during the rest of the project. I only want to make sure that you have enough to work with right now before we begin more extensive note-taking and writing.**//
 * 1)** Here's another reputable site to find sources for your bibliography:
 * 2)** Why can't you use wikipedia as a research source? [|This is why.]

//**Research Assignment #11: Creating Notecards to Keep Track of Evidence**// 1) See the following site for an explanation and example of how to make a notecard:[| Sample Notecard] If the link will not open, try this file in MS Word: [|Notecard.doc] 2) Make a numbered, alphabetized list of your sources (you can just convert your bibliography if you've already started it) 3) From now on, create a note card every time you pull evidence (a quote, paraphrase, or summary) from one of your sources. 4) Sign in to [|noodletools] and you can use the notecard feature to create your cards.

__**NOTE NEXT ASSIGNMENT DUE DATE: Notecards #1-10 DUE Tuesday 5/5 at the end of class; Notecards #11-20 DUE Thursday 5/7 at the end of class. **__

//**<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> Research Assignment #12: Structure of the Research Paper and Outlining Your Plan**// 1) See the following file for a step by step, detailed explanation of how to structure your paper: [|Structure.doc] This file breaks down the paper section by section; it describes each piece of the Intro, Body, and Conclusion that your paper should include. Use it as a structural outline for your paper. 2) Here is a blank copy of the previous handout. Complete each section to outline your paper. Outlines will be due as an assignment on a future date. [|Structure blank outline.doc] 3) If you're looking for additional examples of how this structure should look in actual research paper form, return to the example research paper that we looked at in the beginning of this project. Here is an edited version of the sample paper that shows you each piece of the outline: [|Structure example paper.doc]

__**<span style="color: rgb(9, 35, 200);">OUTLINE DUE 5/11/09 **__ **(50 points)**

__<span style="color: rgb(245, 5, 8);">//**<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> Research Assignment #13: Writing the Introduction Paragraph**// 1) See the following document for an explanation and examples of Research Paper Introductions: [|Intro Examples.doc]__

__Use this document together with the outline from the previous assignment to write your introduction paragraph(s).__ <span style="color: rgb(9, 35, 200);">

__<span style="color: rgb(245, 5, 8);">//**Research Assignment #14: The Rough Draft**// __ __1) See the following document for an explanation on citations (bibliography/works cited and in-text citation): [|MLA format.doc]__

__2) Also see the color-coded MLA guide you used for your bibliography cards: [|MLA Citation Guide.doc]__

__**<span style="color: rgb(9, 35, 200);">Rough Draft DUE 5/15/09 **__ **(100 points)** <span style="color: rgb(9, 35, 200);">

__<span style="color: rgb(245, 5, 8);">//**Research Assignment #15: The Final Paper**// __ __**<span style="color: rgb(9, 35, 200);">Final Paper DUE 5/26/09 by 3:00pm to turnitin.com **__ **(200 points)**<span style="color: rgb(9, 35, 200);">

A few points to remember...
 * Times New Roman size 12 font (NO EXCEPTIONS!)
 * Double space the body of the paper
 * Proper format for Header and Footer
 * 3-5 FULL pages
 * No title page, but you must include a title for your paper on the top of the first page
 * Use in-text citation for ALL non-original ideas, quotes and statistics
 * Either the author's last name (and page number) OR the title of the article belong in parentheses
 * All information must relate back to your thesis (No random facts or quotes)
 * Works Cited page
 * Times New Roman size 12 font (NO EXCEPTIONS!)
 * Single space and one full line between each source
 * If the source takes up more than one full line of text, indent any additional lines 5 spaces
 * Alphabetical order according to the first letter of each source
 * No numbering
 * Use the color-coded guide for proper format

[|Works Cited example.doc] [|Color-coded Bibliography guide.doc] [|Example research paper.doc] [|Rubric.doc] [|Quoting and in-text citation guide.doc]
 * __The following documents will help you finalize your paper...__**

__<span style="font-size: 108%; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Instructions for submitting your paper to turnitin.com:** __<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Log on to turnitin.com and click on "New User"
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"> Under "New Students Start Here" click on #2: "Create a user profile"
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Under "Create a New Turnitin Account" click on "Student"
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Enter Class ID
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Period 1: 2728561
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Period 2: 2728570
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Period 3: 2728572
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Enter Password: parkland
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Enter first name, last name, email address, a password and a secret question.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Approve the "User Agreement"
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">After entering your information, click on to "Log in to Turnitin
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Click on your class
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Under "Assignment List" click on the "Submit" tab
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Submit Paper:
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Submit by: File upload
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Submission Title: Your topic/title of paper
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Click on "Browse" to upload your paper and click on "Submit" once you have uploaded your paper
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Save your paper on your desktop if possible. It will be easy to find
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Click on "Yes, submit"
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Under "Your Profile" you can review your paper
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">When you have finished, click "Logout" in the upper right corner

<span style="color: rgb(2, 2, 136);">Resource Links
__[|Questions about the Research Project?] -go here to post any questions you have about the research project

[|Library Research Center] -this is a link to the PHS Library's research center, where you'll find many resources to use for your paper

[|Link to Opposing Viewpoints Database] -password is "parkland" -site to find articles to help research your topic and thesis

[|ProQuest Platinum] -another site besides "Opposing Viewpoints" to search for scholarly articles for your paper topic
 * //(Note: if you check "full text only" before you search, you can find articles that you'll be able to view and print online)//**

[|Turnitin.com] -site you'll be using to turn your paper in; checks its own database of submitted papers and online sources to prevent plagiarism

[|Purdue's Online Writing Lab] -resources and help for everything research paper related, including MLA citation and bibliography style

[|Purdue OWL's MLA Citation and Works Cited Guide]

--guide for creating in-text citations and works cited

Research Paper Rubric: [|Rubric.doc]__

__-file download for the research paper rubric: what you will be graded on in the paper itself

-search the PHS library's catalog of books__
 * [|Library Catalog Search]**

Bibliography Building Tools__ [|easybib.com] [|noodletools.com] ((login: parkland password: Noodle1))**
 * [|bibme.org]