1. I've Got To Write A
Research Paper ! ! !

2. You may be in a bit of panic right about now
You may be in a bit of panic right about now. But step by step, you’ll learn that research is nothing to be afraid of.
The first step is to decide on your topic. You may choose a person or an event from history. Check with your teacher to be sure the topic you are considering is appropriate.

3. One thing to consider about your topic is if it is too big of a subject or too small of a subject. Too big of a subject may be “All About Texas”. There would be way too much information to handle with that subject.
However, a subject that is too small might be “The Food of the Plains Indians”. That might make a good paragraph in a paper, but would not fill out the whole paper.

4. Once you have a subject, sit down with paper and a pencil
Once you have a subject, sit down with paper and a pencil. Think about the questions you or your reader might have about the subject. Write down these questions. These will guide you as you search for information.
The topic you have chosen may determine what questions you choose to ask. The following slides have examples of questions that may be used for different subjects. Feel free to use these to add to your own questions.

5. For a biography:
When and where was this person born? Who were their family? What was their life like?
What was their childhood like? What happened to make them become the person they became?
What kind of education or training did they get?
What were their accomplishments? Why do we remember this person?
Have they died? If so, where and when. If not, where are they today?

6. For a historic event:
Where and when did this event occur?
What events led up to this event? What were the causes?
Who were the people involved? How did they affect the event?
What was the order of the events? What happened first, next, last?
What were the results of the event? Who benefited? Who did not benefit?
 Animals will not be researched at this time.

7. 1st Assignment: ____________________ Turn in a hand written paper showing your topic – approved by Mrs. Powell – and the questions you will start with as you research.

8. After deciding on and writing down your questions, it is time to gather up sources of information where you can find these answers. There are several places to look for information:
Books: like history books, biographies, etc.
Encyclopedias: book or on-line
Periodicals - magazines written about history
Videos

9. Internet sites - Be careful as you search the internet for information. If you do not have a filter on your computer, have a parent with you as you search.
In academic research, Wikipedia is not an accepted source. You may look there to find other sources that may have better supported information.

10. As you locate sources of information that have good information, you need to write down the publication information for each source. You will put this information at the end of your paper.
For this project, you are required to have 4 sources. You may use more, but if you do not use at least 4, you will lose points.

11. To keep track of information, 3x5 ruled index cards are used
To keep track of information, 3x5 ruled index cards are used. For citing your sources, write down the publication information as shown on the following cards.
Then put the number of the source in the top right-hand corner. If this is the 1st source you have chosen, the number will be 1. If it is the 2nd source, the number will be 2, etc.

12. To Cite a Book Publication. Medium of Publication. # of Source
Author’s last name, First name. Title of Book. Place of publication: Publisher, Year of
Publication. Medium of Publication.
# of Source
Your source cards should have a colored top. This separates the source cards from the information cards.

13. To Cite the Internet
Author last name, First name . “Article Name.” Title
of Website. Posting date. Publisher
information. Medium of Publication. Date you
accessed the material.
# of Source
Your source cards should have a colored top. This separates the source cards from the information cards.

14. Once you have gathered your sources and recorded the publication information, it is time to begin collecting information about your subject. First, review your questions. Then, begin looking for the answers to your questions.

15. It is important to write down the information you find
It is important to write down the information you find. This is where the 3x5 note cards come in handy again. As you find a piece of information, think about it, and write it down on a note card IN YOUR OWN WORDS. It is important you do not use the way the source says the information. This is called plagiarism, which is cheating.

16. You will need at least 40 note cards of information
You will need at least 40 note cards of information. More will be fine, fewer will lose you points. On the following slide is an example of what to write on the information note card.

17. Information Cards (Source) # Information: One complete idea per card.
(Number to show place of information; will be added during organization) #
was born.
Example: The day, date, and place where someone
two sentences should go on one card.
Any group of facts that can be included into one or
This may include 1 to 3 phrases, but not more.
One complete idea per card.
Information:
(Source) #
Your information cards should NOT have a colored top.

18. Your questions will help you choose which pieces of information to write down. However, if you find an important fact concerning your subject that you didn’t ask about, write it down, too. Surprises make your research more interesting.
Continue gathering info until:
You’ve answered all your questions
You can’t find any more answers

19. If you can’t find several answers, decide if you need to look for more sources. Maybe the sources you have are not adequate.
You need to show your source cards and your information cards to your teacher by _________________________.
If you have questions, let the teacher know you need a conference.