The Research Paper Starring: facts, quotations, paraphrasing, graphs, interviews, etc.

What is it? What is a research paper? ◦A scavenger hunt for information ◦A compilation of all of the information you have gathered to prove and support your thesis statement ◦The conclusions you have reached as a result of your research ◦A paper that proves that you are an expert in the topic you have chosen.

How Do I Get Started? Choose a topic ◦Make sure the topic interests you ◦Make sure there is enough research out there on the topic  Make sure the information is credible After you choose a topic ◦Begin to see what questions your audience or you may have about the topic and write them down Brainstorm

Formulating a Thesis Statement Begin brainstorming and researching your topic further ◦After you figure out what your audience needs to know more about, begin to formulate your thesis statement. ◦See how much information you can find about the topic.

Outline Once you formulate your thesis, you will draft an outline ◦The outline’s primary purpose is organization.  It will help you organize the information you gained while researching  It will help the paper flow in an organized fashion  Help the paper make sense

MLA Format The Research Paper MUST be in MLA format ◦Title page  I would like you to create an illustrated title page in which you can include pictures or a drawing related to your research ◦1 “ margins all around ◦Times New Roman font- Size 12 ◦Must be double-spaced

MLA Format cont. Heading: ◦Your Name ◦Teacher’s Name ◦Writer’s Workshop ◦14 March 2014 Header- Insert header with last name and page number ◦Must be on every page!

MLA Format- In-Text Citations You must cite information taken from outside sources ◦(Dombrowski 14) ◦(Dombrowski) ◦(qtd. in Layton C9) ◦(“Cell Phones”) Direct/short quotations must have quotation marks Long/Block Quote ◦It is indented two tabs or 10 spaces.  See example in sample essay

Works Cited Title: Works Cited ◦Centered ◦Not underlined Alphabetical Order Hanging Indent ◦Ctrl + T Authors last name, first name. “Article Title.” Source Name. Date info. The entry information depends on what kind of source you used.

Research Paper Requirements Paper Requirements ◦2-3 pages ◦MLA format ◦An approved topic and thesis statement ◦Everything must relate to the thesis statement  At least: ◦ One short/direct quote ◦ One paraphrase ◦ One long/block quote ◦ 3 sources- 2 different types of sources (cannot all be web pages)

Sample Outline

Sample MLA format

Sample Work Cited

Research Paper Checklist