1. Writing a Research Paper
#fun

2. About Your Paper
Type
Evaluative research: addresses solution to problem, determine causes/effects, formulates evidence to prove/disprove, compares/contrasts, assesses, analyzes, interprets

3. Controversial Topics
Controversial topic is anything that has two opposing sides, usually “for” or “against”
Does not necessarily have to be a “heated” debate
Body Cams on Police
War on Isis
Immigration laws
Abolishment of the penny
Weight loss surgery
Answer through an evaluative research paper

4. Evaluative Research What does this mean?
You will literally be evaluating the information you find
Are there more pro’s or con’s?
Your job is to provide the research objectively! You must remain unbiased!
Do not choose a topic you know too much about!
Do not use 1st or second person (I, me, we, you)
You let the information draw a conclusion for you.
There were more pro’s – “for”
There were more con’s- “against”

5. Evaluative Research
The easiest way to accomplish this is to ask a question
Should police wear body cameras?
Should the US create an open war with Isis?
How strict should immigration laws be?
Should the US abolish the penny?
Is weight loss surgery a good option for the obese?

6. Research Question Format
Turning your topic into a questions helps focus your paper
This question should be answered by the end of your paper
The answer is usually, “yes” or “no”
The answer can be a conditional one
Where do you get the answer?
The research!

7. Topic
Honors: Select any aspect of British literature (author, time period, type of writing, etc.)
College Prep: Select a controversial topic

8. Length & Format MLA 12-point Times New Roman Double-spaced 1” margins
Parenthetical references

9. Sources Minimum 5 sources Can’t use Wikipedia
Minimum 1 book as a source

10. Components Select a topic Research and create a working Works Cited
Minimum 50 note cards
Every single citation in your paper MUST have a corresponding note card!
Write an outline with a working thesis statement
Intro paragraph
Prong 1
Prong 2
Prong 3
Concluding paragraph
Draft 1 (peer review)
Draft 2 (peer edit)
IF REQUESTED, Draft 3 (teacher conference)
Final Draft

11. Sources

12. What are reliable sources?
Consider author/creator:
What are the author’s credentials/background?
Do you recognize this author? *Respected authors are cited frequently by other scholars.

13. What are reliable sources?
Year of publication:
Is the source current? *This is especially important for areas of continuing development. i.e. sciences, current events

14. What are reliable sources?
Edition:
Later editions indicate that a source has been revised and updated; indicates it has become a standard source
Publisher:
Is the publisher a university press or reputable publisher?

15. What are reliable sources?
Analyzing Content
Read the preface or abstract to determine author intentions.
Scan table of contents to get a broad overview.
Determine the audience…is it appropriate for your research needs?

16. What are reliable sources?
Is it objective?
Is it fact, opinion, propaganda? Sometimes it is not always easy to separate fact from opinion.
Does it appear valid/well-researched, or is it questionable and unsupported by evidence?
Is the author objective and impartial? Is the language free of bias?

17. What are reliable sources?
Evaluating Web Resources
Is this site linked to often by other sites?
Do links on this site lead to other reputable sites?
What domain does the site belong to (.edu, .gov, .org, .net)?

18. Works cited Last page of your research paper
MLA format, page number in the header
Label with “Works Cited,” centered
No quotation marks, don’t italicize/underline/bold
Double-space all citations, but don’t skip spaces between entries (meaning…no extra spaces)
Indent the second and subsequent lines of citations by 0.5 in. to create a “hanging indent”
ABC order

19. Works cited https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/7 47/05/
Sample Works Cited page: 47/12/
Citation Machine:
book

20. 60 Second Recap - Thesis Statement

21. Thesis statement
Make a claim about a topic and justify the claim with specific evidence
The claim should be an opinion, evaluation, cause-effect statement, or an interpretation
The goal is to convince the audience that the claim is true, based on the evidence provided

22. What is a thesis statement?
It guides the ENTIRE paper!
It’s a subject plus an opinion.
A college thesis statement must present an argument; you can’t simply provide information about your topic.

23. Example
DNA is a method used to solve crimes, but some wonder about the moral implications of using DNA to solve crimes.
This example does not describe DNA or how it is used.
This is an argument about the moral implications.

24. Thesis Statement It has a specific idea and a definite assertion.
It must have:
A simple declarative sentence, few words, clear and concise
Active voice, not passive; it’s authoritative
Something open to debate; take an opposing position

25. Thesis Statement Must be stated in the affirmative
Meaning a positive declaration
It is one simple declarative sentence with an assertion.
Like a topic sentence
Must be in present tense with an active voice
Can be at the end of a paragraph

26. Purpose, Intent, Tone
The question/topic given as the assignment is NOT the thesis statement.
The declarative response to the question is the thesis statement.
It captures the purpose, intent, and tone of the essay.

27. Don’t
Use more than 1 subject or verb!

28. Do Form a strong opinion and take a stand
Only use concrete, purposeful adjectives
Focus on one main idea
Be specific

29. Brainstorming (again!)
You may want to brainstorm ways to defend your position
Your research will be directed by the points that will prove your thesis statement
You can research first, then form a thesis statement based on the amount of research support available.

30. What is a thesis statement?
Must be debatable or controversial
Must be specific
Must take a position
Must be in the first paragraph

31. Strong Thesis=Strong Paper
It’s not a question
It’s not a statement of topic/purpose

32. (BAD!) Examples
The purpose of this paper is to look at the budget crisis.
Why are there so many gangs in urban areas?
The educational system in New York City is interesting.

33. (Good) example
High school graduates should be required to take a year off to pursue community service projects before entering college in order to increase their maturity and global awareness.
Based on this thesis statement, this paper will present an argument and give evidence to support the claim that students should pursue community service projects before going to college.

34. (Good) Example
The movie JFK inaccurately portrays President Kennedy because of the way it ignores Kennedy’s youth, his relationship with his father, and the findings of the Warren Commission.

35. Four types of claims Claims of fact or definition
Argues about what the definition of something is or whether something is a settled fact.
EX: What some people refer to as global warming is actually nothing more than normal, long-term cycles of climate change.

36. Four types of claims Cause and Effect
Argue that one person/thing/event caused another to occur
EX: The popularity of SUVs in America has caused pollution to increase.

37. Four types of claims Value
Claims made of what something is worth, whether we value it or not, how we would rate or categorize something
EX: Global warming is the most pressing challenge facing the world today.

38. Four types of claims Claims about solution or policies
Argue for/against a certain solution or policy approach to a problem
EX: Instead of drilling for oil in Alaska, we should be focusing on ways to reduce oil consumption, such as researching renewable energy sources.

39. Which one is for you?
Depends on your position, knowledge of the topic, audience, context of the paper
Think about where you imagine your audience to be on this topic and pinpoint where you think the biggest difference in viewpoints might be
Regardless of the type of claim, identify the controversy/debate you are addressing and define your position early in the paper

40. Thesis statements similar to yours…
Stephen Crane wrote from a naturalistic point of view in his works The Red Badge of Courage and “The Open Boat.”
John Keats uses characters, literary techniques, and themes to convey in his message of love as in “Ode on a Grecian Urn” and “Ode on a Nightingale.”
R.L. Stine’s literature, influenced by life events, impacts children both positively and negatively.
Even though Thoreau was a nineteenth century writer, he influenced great twentieth century writers, such as Gandhi, MLK, and Tolstoy.

41. Practice
A hero is a character who displays courage in the face of adversity. John Proctor is a hero in The Crucible because…
John Proctor shows dynamic change by…
The Crucible mirrors the McCarthy hearings through…

42. Activity
Kahoot - Thesis Statement Survey

43. outline

44. outline
Purpose: break down the parts of your thesis into a clear, organized structure
Helps in planning your research
It helps you break down the subjects you need to discuss to answer your question, before you obtain information
Keeps your thoughts and notes organized
Strong outline = easier writing process

45. outline Must have parallel structure!
Meaning…if the first heading starts with a verb, the second heading should start with a verb.
EX: I. Choose desired colleges II. Prepare application
Choose and prepare are both PRESENT TENSE VERBS

46. Outline The info in the headings should be more general
The info in the subheadings should be more specific
EX: I. Describe an influential person in your life a. Favorite teacher b. Grandparent

47. How do you make one? Start with your question.
Should Scotland be independent from Great Britain?
Next, consider everything your reader needs to know about your topic before you can answer that question
Usual NTK topics:
History of Causes of..
Definition of..
Types of…

48. Put them in outline format
Should Scotland be independent from Great Britain?
What is the first thing I think my reader needs to know before answering the question?
Definition/Types of independence A. B. C.

49. II. History (of the dependent/independent relationship) A. B.
What is the second thing I think my reader needs to know before answering the question?
II. History (of the dependent/independent relationship) A. B.
What is the third thing I think my reader needs to know before answering the question?
III. Causes
A. Financial
B. social
C. government

50. Fourth thing. VI. Effects on Great Britain A. Financial B. Social C
Fourth thing? VI. Effects on Great Britain A. Financial B. Social C. Government Fifth thing? V. Effects on Scotland

51. I. Definition/Types of independence A. B. C. II
I. Definition/Types of independence A. B. C. II. History of Scotland and Great Britain III. Causes A. Financial B. Social C. Government VI. Effects on GB V. Effects on Scotland

52. Called a working outline, because it is subject to change
As you research, a topic you might not have originally considered might need to be added in
Or, a subject you thought was important might need to be eliminated
This outline helps you understand what info is important to achieving your answer, and what info is not

53. Tips Background information should only be 1-2 pages long
Condense and simplify background info for your reader
Your last few roman numerals should be the brunt of your paper, since that information is where the answer to your question is!
VI. is GB keeping their end of the deal?
A. GB’s successes
B. GB’s failures
V. Effects of GB’s Successes
A. economy/trade
B. government procedures
C. Safety
Effects of GB’s failures

54. Note cards
Identify the overall question…what are you trying to answer?
Identify your guiding questions…what do you need to find out in order to answer your overall question?
What type of info do you need…stats? Observations? Facts?

55. Note cards
First, write down the citation before you read the article/book
Paraphrase, don’t copy (PLAGIARISM!!!!!)
Be brief and concise
There is ALWAYS a main idea! ALWAYS.
Direct quotations should stand on their own. Use a quotation when you cannot improve the writing to explain the concept to your audience.

56. Note cards
Once you’ve got your sources, developed a thesis statement, and written an outline….
Now, begin note-taking
Every note card should contain:
Source number (corresponds to your Works Cited)
Heading/guideline to identify the section of your paper
The note itself
The page number(s) from the source
Only ONE note per card!!!!!
EVERY SINGLE CITATION IN YOUR PAPER MUST HAVE A CORRESPONDING NOTE CARD!!!!!!!!!!

57. NOTE CARD SAMPLE 1

58. NOTE CARD SAMPLE 2

59. ELECTRONIC NOTE CARDS
Same layout
1 note per source info
MLA format

60. plagiarism

61. Types of Plagiarism, by Deepak Keshavamurthy
“a piece of writing that has been copied from someone else and is presented as your own work”
“the act of passing off as one’s own the ideas or writings of another” (Honor Council website)
Types of Plagiarism, by Deepak Keshavamurthy
Complete plagiarism:
Submitting someone else’s entire essay as your own
Near-complete plagiarism:
“Lifting” excerpts from someone else’s text and using them as your own, interspersed with your own writing

62. More Types of Plagiarism
Patchwork plagiarism:
“Lifting” ideas, phrases, sentences, and paragraphs from several sources and “stitching” them together into an essay, without proper in-text citations
Lazy plagiarism:
Inadvertent use of another person’s language because of failure to use quotation marks when citing
Self-plagiarism:
Re-submitting an essay you’ve already written for another course

63. guidelines Cite accuratelyDO
DON”T
Cite accurately
Exact words identified with quotation marks and citation
Accurate Works Cited
Claim another’s ideas as your own
Paraphrase or quote without citing the source
Use facts that are not common knowledge without citing them

64. Plagiarism example 1
Plagiarized
Correct!
To Delano, there are two explanations for Cereno’s odd behavior: The singular alternations of courtesy and ill- breeding in the Spanish captain were unaccountable, except on one of two suppositions- innocent lunacy, or wicked imposture.
To Delano, there are two explanations for Cereno’s odd behavior: “The singular alternations of courtesy and ill-breeding in the Spanish captain were unaccountable, except on one of two suppositions- innocent lunacy, or wicked imposture” (Melville 288).

65. Plagiarism example 2
Plagiarized
Correct!
Delano blames the strange behavior of Don Benito on either some sort of elaborate performance or insanity.
Delano blames the strange behavior of Don Benito on either some sort of elaborate performance or insanity (Melville 288).
Source must be cited even if you paraphrase!

66. Example Paragraph
Teens are more likely to attempt distracted driving than adults. Many teenagers are trying to juggle busy schedules and their social lives, trying to stay in constant contact with friends, even while busy on the road. Some young adults experience a false feeling that they are invincible. They might feel as if crises can’t happen to them and only apply to other people. This means that many teens feel confident texting while driving and do not feel concerned about the consequences.

67. How Can I Avoid Plagiarism?
If you use someone else’s ideas, you should CITE THE SOURCE in order to give that person credit.
In the paragraph (in-text citation)
At the end (works cited page)

68. In-Text Citations

69. In Text Citations What is it?
An in-text citation is a way to stop and give credit to someone else’s idea or quote, used within the text of your paper.
“It goes at the end of the sentence and uses parentheses, so it’s sometimes called a parenthetical citation” (Like This).
Notice it is INSIDE of the sentence, because it comes BEFORE the ending punctuation mark!

70. Why? When?
Why?
If you state other people’s original ideas and/or quote other people word-for-word, but you DON’T give them credit in this way, it is considered plagiarism.
When?
When you state something that is NOT your own idea OR is NOT general knowledge (that everyone already knows).
Ex) 24 hours in a day
Ex) 12 months in a year

71. How do I make In-Text Citations?
Basic Format:
Sentence containing information (author or source pg. #).
Direct Quotes- word for word, in quotation marks
Paraphrasing- rewording what the author says, writing it out in your own words

72. Block quote

73. Block quote
There are no quotation marks because the quote is clearly offset from the rest of the text.
Punctuation comes before the citation for block quotes only.
Since the author of the work is given in the text, it is not necessary to repeat it in the Citation.
In this case only the page number is given.

74. Direct Quotes
If you have an author and page #s (such as for a book source)
“6,000 people die each year from car accidents related to texting while driving” (Smith 46).
If you have an author but no page #s (such as for a database article)
“6,000 people die each year from car accidents related to texting while driving” (Smith).
If you have no author or page #s (such as for some database articles)
“6,000 people die each year from car accidents related to texting while driving” (“Phones”).
**Use the first word or 2 words of the article title.**

75. Paraphrasing
If you have an author and page #s (such as for a book source)
The numbers of people who die from texting-related accidents are shocking to the average cell phone user (Smith 46).
If you have an author but no page #s (such as for a database article)
The numbers of people who die from texting-related accidents are shocking to the average cell phone user (Smith).
If you have no author or page #s (such as for some database articles)
The numbers of people who die from texting-related accidents are shocking to the average cell phone user (“Phones”).
**Use the first word or 2 words of the article title.**

76. MLA format

77. https://owl.english.purdue.edu/media/pdf/200 90701095636_747.pdf
OWL
_949.pdf
47/02/
_747.pdf

78. How to paraphrase

79. Analyzing a text What is the author’s message?
What words/phrases are confusing? Are there context clues to help?
What techniques does the author use to present the information?
Is the message consistent or does it change?

80. Steps Read: focus on key points & message
Identify the main idea from memory, use your own words
Reread: find any points you missed the first time
Paraphrase: use the key ideas to summarize the information; don’t repeat the info from #2
Check: compare with the original for accuracy
Cite!

81. Paraphrasing is not: A direct quote
A condensed summary of the original

82. Paraphrasing is:
An explanation of someone else’s ideas in different terms
Specific information restated with depth of detail but in different words

83. Don’t! Replace words with synonyms Reorder the information/sentences
Remove/add words or phrases
Use new phrasing but keep some original text from the source
Forget to cite!

84. Do! Change the original diction Create your own syntax
Change the structure

85. Writing your paper

86. Introduction
The introduction is the broad beginning of the paper that answers three important questions:
What is this?
Why am I reading it?
What do you want me to do?

87. introduction You should answer these questions by doing the following:
Set the context –provide general information about the main idea, explaining the situation so the reader can make sense of the topic and the claims you make and support
State why the main idea is important –tell the reader why he or she should care and keep reading. Your goal is to create a compelling, clear, and convincing essay people will want to read and act upon
State your thesis/claim

88. body
Your paper should be organized in a manner that moves from general to specific information.
Every time you begin a new subject, think of an inverted pyramid.
The broadest range of information sits at the top, and as the paragraph or paper progresses, the author becomes more and more focused on the argument ending with specific, detailed evidence supporting a claim.
Lastly, the author explains how and why the information she has just provided connects to and supports her thesis (a brief wrap up or warrant).

89. Body

92. ice
See handout

97. conclusion
Conclusions wrap up what you have been discussing in your paper.
After moving from general to specific information in the introduction and body paragraphs, your conclusion should begin pulling back into more general information that restates the main points of your argument.
Conclusions may also call for action or overview future possible research.

98. conclusion Restate your topic and why it is important
Restate your thesis/claim
Address opposing viewpoints and explain why readers should align with your position
Call for action or overview future research possibilities