Research Paper

1. Research Paper Overview

2. Why do this assignment? Research paper will teach you: • Become a self-directed learner (find information to answer your questions) • Evaluate your sources • Respond logically to contrasting and fluctuating information and sources • Make a coherent statement about information (synthesis, connections)

3. From a job site (real world application) Active Learning — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making. Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. Learning Strategies — Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things. Mathematics — Using mathematics to solve problems. Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action. Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents. Science — Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems. Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively. Writing — Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

4. Before you write… • Do you want to write about something you already know something about or something completely new? • On what subjects would you like to become an expert? • What subjects give you a lot to think about or react to?

5. Burning Questions • Is High Fructose Corn Syrup really that bad for me? • Why do humans constantly fight one another? • Why do gas prices change all the time? • Who sets minimum wage and can I do something to get it bumped up? • Are there any negative side effects to being on Facebook all the time? (besides being a stalker…) • Can listening to music really damage my hearing? • Is there a positive side to illegal immigration? • Would I support a tax on soda? • Is embryonic stem cell research ethically right? • Does capital punishment really prevent crimes from happening? • Should texting while driving be illegal? • Can texting be used in the school in a positive way? • Is bottled water good for our health? Is it bad for the earth?

6. Your turn… • Try to brainstorm some problems that you see in the world • Local or Global

7. Sample Topics Affirmative Action, Alcoholism, Animal Experimentation, Birth Control, Capital Punishment (death penalty), Economic Problems, Child Abuse, Censorship, Steroids in Sports, Environmentalism, Obesity, Gay Rights, Human Cloning, Genocide (Darfur, perhaps), Terrorism, Overpopulation, Plastic Surgery, Pollution, Nuclear Weapons, Poverty, Racism, Racial Profiling, School Prayer, School Violence, Teenage Pregnancy, Welfare, Women’s Rights, Violence in Mass Media, Earthquakes

8. Paper • Requirements • Three – Four pages in length • Must use at least five credible sources • Sources must be used at least three times • Works Cited Page • In-Text Citations • MLA Formatting

9. Where to find information… • Simple Solution • Books • Panda Site