Research Paper

1. Research Paper 11th Grade

2. Important dates to remember • March 23 (Wed) • March 30 (Wed) • April 12 (Tues) • April 15 (Fri) • May 6 (Friday) • May 24 (Tues) • Select a topic • Library Training • 10 Questions and thesis statement • Outline or Tree Map • First Draft • Final Draft

3. Use exposition, narration, description, argumentation, or some combination of rhetorical strategies to support the main proposition. • Analyze several historical records of a single event, examining critical relationships between elements of the research topic. • Explain the perceived reason or reasons for the similarities and differences in historical records with information derived from primary and secondary sources to support or enhance the presentation. • Include information from all relevant perspectives and take into consideration the validity and reliability of sources. • Include a formal Bibliography (Works Cited) CA State Standards 2.4 Write historical investigation reports

4. Write a 6-8 page research paper on an important historical figure Objective

5. Details • Develop an important historical figure in American history or literature. • Give essential biographical information • Discuss the impact that this individual has had on American Life.

6. Some examples(You may not use these) • Sports Personalities • Jackie Robinson • Wilt Chamberlain • Inventors • Thomas Edison • Alexander Graham Bell • Notorious Figures • John Wilkes Booth • Jimmy Hoffa • Political Figures • Abraham Lincoln • Richard Nixon • American Writers • Ernest Hemingway • Robert Frost • Artists • Charles Schultz • Andy Warhol

7. The research paper must contain elements of exposition, narration, and description. • Information must be derived from a variety of primary and secondary sources. • The research paper must be in proper MLA format. Refer to the following website for supplemental information clarifying MLA requirements: • http://webster.commnet.edu/mla/index.shtml • Include a formal Works Cited list Research paper Elements to include

8. Selecting and Narrowing a Topic

9. Step 1: Plan Your time • Before beginning your research paper, it is important to plan your time in order to complete each step in the process and meet any given deadline. • In this manner, you will be able to produce the given product or document without sacrificing an entire night’s sleep!!

10. Don’t Let this happen to you!!

11. Step 2: Narrow your topic • Is it interesting to you? Do you want to learn more about the topic? • Keep in mind that the more interested you are in your topic, the less painful this assignment is going to be. • Chances are, if you don’t find your topic interesting, neither will anyone else.

12. Step 2: Narrow your topic • Is it manageable? • Remember, you have a specified amount of time and resources at hand; make sure you can handle everything you take on. • Although something may seem like a great idea, unless you can follow through with the details, you may be headed for trouble!

13. Step 2: Narrow your topic • Is your topic original? • Avoid selecting over-popular figures or making common statements the general population already agrees upon. • We all know Abraham Lincoln was a great president and influenced the development of our country. Provide telling information about the person the readers may not have heard before.

14. Instead of this? How about this??

15. Step 2: Narrow your topic • Note: This is a research paper not a biography. The purpose is to enlighten and prove something to the reader. • You will not be writing a 6-8 page paper on Abraham Lincoln’s life story. • It is highly suggested that you choose a topic that can be converted into a question; as you write your paper, focus on answering the question. • Consider the following examples: • How did Lincoln's Gettysburg Address single-handedly unify the country? • What personal events in Lincoln’s life lead him to intervene in the Civil War? • What characteristics did Lincoln possess that made it possible for him to influence the end of slavery?

16. Step 3: Do the Preliminary Work • Before you begin your serious work, do some preliminary work. It will save you time and stress. The preliminaries consist of three parts: • Do some preliminary reading to get information about your topic.This will help you decide whether or not your topic is narrowed. Consult one of the following: • A General Encyclopedia, like Encyclopedia Britannica or World Book Encyclopedia • A Specialized Encyclopedia, like Encyclopedia of World Literature in the 20th Century • Other General References, like Internet, Current Biography

17. Step 3: Do the Preliminary Work • 2. Write a research question that reflects the purpose of your paper, like “How did the decisions Lincoln made in his presidency affect the livelihood of Americans?” • Once you have finished your research, you will answer the research question in the form of a thesis statement. • 3. Prepare a working outline, which will help you get organized.

18. Reporting Historical Research Pages 528-549

19. Read pages 528-549 in your Holt Textbook. • Answer all worksheet questions. • As you read, think about possible topics for your research paper and how you can narrow the topic to create a thesis.

20. Once you have selected your research person, remember the five basic investigation questions… • Who (Who influenced Lincoln’s development as a politician?) • What (What major contributions did Lincoln make to the United States?) • When (When did Lincoln begin to influence others?) • Where (Where did he begin his career and where did it take him?) • Why (Why could one argue that Lincoln was the most influential president ever?)

21. Don’t forget the HOW (How did Lincoln’s influence permanantly change life in America?)

22. To be continued…

23. World Book Online • http:tryit.worldbookonline.com • I.D.: california • Password: primrose (thru 4/4); tulip (good 4/5-5/2)

24. Writing a Thesis statement

25. A thesis is the conclusion or judgment you make based on the analysis of your topic. • A thesis statement answers the question: “What is the point?” • In other words, what is the point of writing about your historical figure? • Why should we care about the impact this person has had on America?

26. The thesis statement is the main idea of your paper, but it is more than that. It argues a conclusion you have reached about your topic. • Remember, the main idea of the paper is not the biographical information about the person. 90% of your paper should focus on proving a theory about your historical figure.

27. Examples of thesis statements

28. Problem: Stating the obvious Good Bad LSD was one of the most common and potent drugs of the 1960s. • If John F. Kennedy were alive today, he would be a republican

29. Problem: Using qualifiers Bad Good Lebron James' ability to score, pass, and rebound make him the league's most valuable player. Read more: http://www.brighthub.com/education/k-12/articles/20762.aspx?p=2#ixzz1HvpmEnQQ • DoesLebron James' ability to score, pass, and rebound make him the league's most valuable player? • Lebron James' ability to score, pass, and rebound just might make him the league's most valuable player.

30. Problem: Not including Purpose • King Lear exemplifies the finest development of Shakespeare's dramatic talent. • Hemingway's war stories helped to create a new prose style. • William Shakespeare wrote King Lear. • Hemingway's war stories are very good.

31. Problem: Broad statements Bad Good The government has the right to limit free speech in cases of overtly racist or sexist language because our failure to address such abuses would effectively suggest that our society condones such ignorant and hateful views. • The government has the right to limit free speech.

32. Problem: Listing Bad Good Among the many reasons we need to limit hate speech the most compelling ones all refer to our history of discrimination and prejudice; it is, ultimately, for the purpose of trying to repair our troubled racial society that we need hate speech legislation. • There are many reasons we need to limit hate speech.

33. Be as specific as possible • Bad: • The North and South fought the Civil War for many reasons, some of which were the same and some different. • Better: • While both sides fought the Civil War over the issue of slavery, the North fought for moral reasons while the South fought to preserve its own institutions. • Best: • While both Northerners and Southerners believed they fought against tyranny and oppression, Northerners focused on the oppression of slaves while Southerners defended their own right to self-government.

34. 10 questions • These questions should guide the outline of your research paper. • List 10 questions you want answered in your research. • All questions should be in line with the thesis statement. • Examples: • Who (Who influenced Lincoln’s development as a politician?) • What (What major contributions did Lincoln make to the United States?) • When (When did Lincoln begin to influence others?) • Where (Where did he begin his career and where did it take him?) • Why (Why could one argue that Lincoln was the most influential president ever?)

35. MLA format • See Library website (3rdPlace- Resources Link) for MLA format. You will need to know: • General guidelines for structuring your paper in MLA format • How to build a Works Cited page • How to cite sources within your paper. • Remember**** • Your paper needs to have a total of 5 sources • 3 internet • 2 print

36. In your note section, make a well organized outline of the items listed- include titles Outline Practice

37. 3 main categories- each will divide into sub categories • Pepperoni • Animal Fries • Palm Trees • Classic milkshakes • Supreme • Happy Meal • Deep dish • Chicken McNuggets • Big Mac • Fruit & Yogurt Parfait • Thin crust • Double-Double • Golden Arches • Extra Value Meal • Home Delivery • Cheese Lover’s • Mighty Kids Meal • 4x4

38. Extra Credit25 points 2nd Semester

39. Give an oral presentation of your research paper through powerpoint • Assignment: • You will give a 10-15 minute presentation about the American you chose to research for your paper. • The presentation will be given in PowerPoint format. You want your presentation to be engaging and highlight key pieces from your research paper. • Requirements: • Minimum 20 slides • Reason behind choosing your American • Brief background • Thesis- What were you trying to prove about this person? • What were your findings? • What was the impact this person had on American Culture?