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

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

Answer: One bite at a time.

Cutting Up the Elephant Works Cited/ Title Page We are helping you to break up the research project into manageable “bites.” Report Essential Questions Folder *Source Cards *Note Cards Outline

You Will Produce 6 Items: A Proposal outlining what you want to research A Folder complete with Source and Note cards A Title Page An Outline The Report A Works Cited document

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.

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

The Folder The folder will contain the following: 6 pockets - labeled 4 source cards (minimum) 16 note cards (minimum) A minimum of

Labeling Your Folder Pockets Look at the list of questions you generated as your pockets will reflect these questions. Do two or three questions belong together? Think about how you imagine you will be organizing your paper? Choose 5 areas that you will be researching and write a key term or sentence on each pocket to reflect those areas.

Folder Basics The Pockets Ask the Questions The Note Cards Answer the Questions The Source Cards Prove Where You Obtained the Information.

Two Types of Cards Source Cards – You will make one card for every source you use. Books, magazines, interviews, TV programs – everything!! Note Cards – Are written after you have highlighted and annotated the materials you are using to write your paper. They are used to put your thoughts in order.

Source Cards When you decide to take a note from a book FIRST – write a source card. You will use this for your Works Cited page and for in text citation. You should also write the citation at the top of each set of pages you copy. You must have a source card for each article that is copied.

A Source Card Looks Like This: Optional - You may give each a source a unique number to make tracking your note cards easier. 1 Author’s Last, First. “Article Title.” Book Title. City of pub.: Publisher, year of publication. Pages.

A Note Card Looks Like This: Optional -The number of this source. Author Page(s) 1 YOUR paraphrased words that connect your thoughts to what you have read. You must have some unique perspective and phrasing based on what you have read.

The Process Looks Like This . . . Open a book and skim the headings and information. If it looks useful COPY THE PAGES YOU NEED Then, write the citation at the top of the page. Remember, the citation looks like this: When you think you have enough information to answer the questions, you will then start ACTIVE READING. Author’s Last, First. “Article Title.” Book Title. City of pub.: Publisher, year of publication. Pages . Print.

ACTIVE READING You will then: Active Reading is the process of : Thinking about what information you need Scanning the pages for the appropriate section Reading carefully and Highlighting the section that answers your question(s) You will then:

ACTIVE READING cont’d. Highlight and Annotate in the margins (Annotate just means to write YOUR thoughts and ideas as they connect to the reading. This helps you to paraphrase and not plagiarize).

Highlight to Cards After you have finished reading and highlighting: Write your paraphrased thoughts and ideas on cards. Write ONE THOUGHT OR IDEA PER CARD!!! Write the SOURCE on the top of the card. Alternatively, you may number each source and then place the number in the upper right corner of the card. Aim for a minimum of 24 cards (about 4 cards per pocket). These will be the basis of your written report.

24 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

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.

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.

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)

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.

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: http://enochs.monet.k12.ca.us/Library/assignments/Hacker-Levi-MLA.pdf