1. The I-Search What is it and how the heck do I choose a topic to research?

2. Make 2 columns on your paper. For each column, you’ll write a bullet-pointed list: K What do you already know or what have you heard about the I-Search paper? What do you already know or what have you heard about the I-Search paper? W What do you want to know about it? What questions pop into your mind when your teacher says, “We are going to write a research paper”? What do you want to know about it? What questions pop into your mind when your teacher says, “We are going to write a research paper”?

3. Interest Survey This part is to get your brain thinking about what the heck you could write about. As you answer the questions, look for patterns. Ready??

4. What Not to Do… These were chosen because they aren’t really researchable… Things on Mythbusters Things on Mythbusters Conspiracy theories, unsolved mysteries, or things that can’t be proved (like Amelia Earhart, the Bermuda Triangle, the Loch Ness Monster, Aliens, Roswell, etc.) Conspiracy theories, unsolved mysteries, or things that can’t be proved (like Amelia Earhart, the Bermuda Triangle, the Loch Ness Monster, Aliens, Roswell, etc.) Dreams and the meanings of Dreams and the meanings of Famous Deaths (JFK or Marilyn Monroe) or “Is ___ really dead?” The answer is yes. Famous Deaths (JFK or Marilyn Monroe) or “Is ___ really dead?” The answer is yes.

5. More things not to do… Biographies of bands and people. All you have to do is watch Behind the Music or read one book, and you’re done Biographies of bands and people. All you have to do is watch Behind the Music or read one book, and you’re done Vampires…just because Vampires…just because Werewolves…same reason Werewolves…same reason Darwinism vs. Creationism: which one is right? Darwinism vs. Creationism: which one is right? Anything else I deem appropriate to add to the list… Anything else I deem appropriate to add to the list…

6. Final Note on what you can’t do… You have to choose something that can be written about for 6 to 8 pages. You need at least 5 sources; these all can’t be the same kind of source. Your question can have multiple parts and be personal or not, but focusing solely on opinions like, “which is better?” doesn’t really work.

7. Sample I-Search Questions That Worked Well Do I have what it takes to be a Navy Seal? What does the training consist of and could I make a career out of this? Do I have what it takes to be a Navy Seal? What does the training consist of and could I make a career out of this? When and where did Fencing originate and how did it evolve into the sport I love today? When and where did Fencing originate and how did it evolve into the sport I love today? Do cell phones cause brain cancer? What are the two side to this controversy? Do cell phones cause brain cancer? What are the two side to this controversy?

8. How are the Kindle and other e- readers affecting the sale of books and bookstores? Is it conceivable that this kind of technology could replace real books? How are the Kindle and other e- readers affecting the sale of books and bookstores? Is it conceivable that this kind of technology could replace real books? What are the advantages and disadvantages of President Obama’s plan for Increasing Troops in Afghanistan, and from the knowledge obtained in my research, what is my opinion on how it affects the best interest of the United States of America? What are the advantages and disadvantages of President Obama’s plan for Increasing Troops in Afghanistan, and from the knowledge obtained in my research, what is my opinion on how it affects the best interest of the United States of America?

9. Rules for Writing Your 12 ?’s It should be something you are genuinely interested in It should be something you are genuinely interested in Should not be a yes/no question or a one-word answer (like which country has the largest population…it’s China. Should not be a yes/no question or a one-word answer (like which country has the largest population…it’s China. Should not be something you already know the answer to! Should not be something you already know the answer to! It should be able to be answered in 6 to 8 pages with at least 5 sources. It should be able to be answered in 6 to 8 pages with at least 5 sources.