Research Paper Notes

1. Research Paper Notes Mrs. Luehrs

2. Topic Choice • Brainstorm a list of possible topics • Choose the one that you want to learn the most about • Develop a thesis statement • Specific subject followed by a limited focus • Create a basic outline

3. Prewriting • Keep track of your research on note cards • Each note card must have its own citation…yes, you will need to copy it over and over again • Front—citation information • Back—any notes that you take from the source • You may only have 1-2 notes per card and they must be on the same topic • Your notes will be in the form of direct quotations

4. Example front of a note card Last name, first name. “Title of Article.” Name of Magazine. Date: Volume. Page numbers.

5. Example back of note card --Direct quotations with page/paragraph numbers

6. Taking notes • Make sure that you place quotation marks around word-for-word quotations

7. Organizing your research • Arrange your note cards into their most logical order (color code them) • Use them to construct your writing plan • Make sure that you have enough researched information to back up your opinions • Number your note cards or head them to coordinate with your outline

8. Writing your introduction You must set the tone for your paper. Give the reader just enough information to get them interested and ready to learn about your topic. • Hook • Explain hook • Connector sentence • Thesis • Lead in

9. Writing your body • Follow along with your outline • When you get to a point when you want to use a source note card, copy or paraphrase what you have on your note card into your paragraph

10. Citing your sources internally • You will need to cite your sources • Use parenthesis to do this • Put the author’s last name inside of the parenthesis along with the page number (if any) • Make sure that your period goes after the parenthesis

11. Required format for adding quotations: This is not a body paragraph format…this is within your paragraph! • Introduce your quote • Quote (direct or paraphrased) • Explain your quote • You must show me the how and why, not just tell the what • Use in-depth analysis • Explain, explain, explain • Remember to assume that your reader has no prior knowledge (because they probably don’t…Remember, Mrs. Luehrs is not a walking encyclopedia

12. Conclusion • Sum up main points • Restate your thesis • Closing argument and position statement • Remind the reader what you wrote about!!! • Don’t assume that they understood anything that you wrote, so reintroduce/restate to ensure comprehension • Do not add new information…new information goes in the body, not in the conclusion

13. Works Cited Page • When you have finished with your paper, you must attach a works cited page • This page lists your sources from your note cards alphabetically • Be sure that you use the format given in the MLA Handbook or from your notes

14. Conventions!!! • Refer to the rules of writing in your notes from the first week of school • Let’s go over them again….Open your notebooks!!!

15. Questions???