Research Paper Overview ~Your assignment is to write a research paper about a person of your choosing. Pick someone who is famous enough to be able to find information about him/her in a book, a magazine, and on the Internet. You must use one of each of these types of sources. You may use one of my suggestions (see back), or you may make your own choice. However, remember that you must be able to find information on your topic from these three types of sources. ~As you gather information about your person, look for a turning point in that person s life. Was there an event in that person s life that had enough of an impact that it changed his/her life thereafter? Find this turning point and make it the focus of your paper. Describe how his/her life led up to that moment, describe the life-changing event, and then explain how his/her life was different afterward. ~The paper will be a minimum of 6 paragraphs long. It should include an introductory paragraph, 4 or more body paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph. It should be written in the voice of a research paper; that is, it should be objective, formal, and impersonal. ~The completed assignment will include a title page, an organizer, timeline of important events in the subject s life, the 6-paragraph or longer essay, and a Works Cited page. ~We will spend the next few days in class working on this project. We will spend time in the library/computer lab researching. I will show you step-bystep how to organize the paper, research, write note cards, and cite sources in your paper. You will be graded on all of these steps, not just on the finished essay. The skills you learn during this unit can be used while doing research projects in other classes and in high school! You will need to complete the following assignments: Timeline Letter of Intent Organizer Draft of each section of paper Final Copy with Works Cited Page
TURNING POINT SUGGESTIONS: The following are subjects that may have a strong turning point that would be suitable for this assignment. You are not limited to this list. You may have great ideas of your own! Amelia Earhart Mother Teresa Abraham Lincoln Jesse James Neil Armstrong Christopher Reeve Cesar Chavez Martin Luther King, Jr. Oprah Winfrey Maya Angelou Ernest Hemingway Gary Paulsen Princess Diana J.K. Rowling Henry Ford Wright Brothers Thomas Edison Alexander Graham Bell Gandhi Helen Keller Mohammed Ali Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Edgar Allen Poe Eleanor Roosevelt Frank Lloyd Wright Michael Jordan Princess Diana Stephen Hawking Alexander the Great Marcus Aurelius Johann Sebastian Bach Beethoven P.T. Barnum Clara Barton Johnny Cash John Lennon Christopher Columbus Dalai Lama Isadora Duncan Anne Frank Bill Gates Ernest Hemingway Langston Hughes Joan of Arc Stephen King Jesse Jackson Leonardo davinci Charles Lindbergh Malcolm X Eva Peron Elvis Presley Martha Stewart Frank Gehry Jackie Robinson Albert Einstein Donald Trump You may choose anyone for whom you are able to find information from three different types of sources: ~Book *** ~Periodical (magazine or newspaper) ~Internet (must be reliable sources) If you are not able to find information from these three types of sources, then you must choose another person to write about.
RESEARCH PAPER BRAINSTORMING I think I may write my research paper about. I chose this person because. Where/When did your subject live? Why is this person famous? What kind of turning points could there be in his/her life? What is (or will likely be) this person s legacy? On a scale of 1-5, how likely are you to use this person as your research subject? 1 2 3 4 5 No Maybe Yes
Your Name Street Address, Baldwin Park, CA 91706 (626) 123-4567 ***Name & address in the header (click View, Header and Footer ), centered using size 24 font (name) and 18 font (address) Hit Enter 4 times (between header and date) March 14, 2014 Hit Enter 4x The body of this letter is written in Times New Roman Font, size 12. Ms. Teacher Sierra Vista High School 3600 N. Frazier St. Baldwin Park, CA 91706 Dear Ms. Teacher: Hit Enter 2x Hit Enter 2x I have chosen Mother Teresa for my freshman research paper. I have chosen this topic because I am interested in the work that she did with orphans in India. I am also curious to learn about her faith and life. Coming into this paper I know that Mother Teresa was a nun who lived in India who created many orphanages for children. Hit Enter 2x The topic of my paper will include how Mother Teresa s faith impacted others. I will prove that Mother Teresa was an important person to the Catholic Church and all of humanity. My main points include information about her life, her faith, what type of work she did, and how she impacted the world. Hit Enter 2x My understanding of plagiarism and/or misrepresentation is to write down somebody else s words and not give them credit. I understand that Sierra Vista High School holds a high standard of academic honesty that I will abide by. I will submit my research paper to www.turnitin.com, a service that checks for plagiarism. I also understand that if I were to copy or plagiarize my freshman research paper, I will not be given credit and this may result in a disciplinary action and possible failure of the second semester of freshman English. Hit Enter 2x Sincerely, Hit Enter 4x Sign your name here Your Name All margins are 1 (top, bottom, left and right). Change or check margins under File and Page Setup. Do not type anything that is in bold & italic.
Your Name Street Address, Baldwin Park, CA 91706 (626) 123-4567 ***Name & address in the header (click View, Header and Footer ), centered using size 24 font (name) and 18 font (address) Hit Enter 4 times (between header and date) March 14, 2014 Hit Enter 4x The body of this letter is written in Times New Roman Font, size 12. Ms. Teacher Sierra Vista High School 3600 N. Frazier St. Baldwin Park, CA 91706 Dear Ms. Teacher: Hit Enter 2x Hit Enter 2x For my freshmen research paper, I have chosen Lucille Ball as my topic. I have chosen this topic because I am interested in the time period that she lived and the impact that she made on television. I am also attracted to this topic because her style of dress is coming back into fashion. Coming into this paper I know that I Love Lucy was, and still is, a popular show. I also know that it was controversial during its time. Hit Enter 2x My research will include the history of I Love Lucy and Ball s impact on television. I will prove that her impact made her a popular and historically significant person. My research will also include information about her life and how it relates to the time period in which she lived. Hit Enter 2x My understanding of plagiarism and/or misrepresentation is to write down somebody else s words and not give them credit. I understand that Sierra Vista High School holds a high standard of academic honesty that I will abide by. I will submit my research paper to www.turnitin.com, a service that checks for plagiarism. I also understand that if I were to copy or plagiarize my freshman research paper, I will not be given credit and this may result in a disciplinary action and possible failure of the second semester of freshman English. Hit Enter 2x Sincerely, Hit Enter 4x Sign your name here Your Name All margins are 1 (top, bottom, left and right). Change or check margins under File and Page Setup. Do not type anything that is in bold & italic.
Research Paper Timeline My Subject s Name: Add 10 or more relevant events from your subject s life and legacy to the timeline. Keep this to work off of while writing your Research Paper. Mark the Turning Point with a star.
THESIS STATEMENT Your thesis statement is the anchor of your research paper. It is the most important sentence in the paper. The thesis statement for this paper should focus on what you feel was the main turning point in your subject s life. Use this formula to help you write your thesis statement. Your Topic + Turning Point = Your Thesis Statement (person) + = My Sample: Mother Teresa + answered a call and helped = Mother Teresa was one person who thousands of poor people answered a call and made a huge difference in the lives of thousands of the poorest people in the world. Write your completed thesis statement here:
The Attention Getter Research Paper These are some attention-getters appropriate for the introductory paragraph of your essay. Try a few and use the one you like best! Technique Question: Think of a question or two that requires reflective thinking on the part of the reader. (How would you react if you heard a mysterious voice calling you? What if that voice was telling you to go to one of the worst places on Earth?) Try the technique here for your paper Quote: Find a quote that fits in with your topic, or a quote by a person in your paper. (Indira Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India, said of Mother Teresa: To meet her is to feel utterly humble, to sense the power of tenderness and the strength of love. ) Statistic: Use a statistic that helps make a point, or a statistic that is unexpected or shocking, to get the reader s attention. (There are over 13,000,000 people living in Calcutta, India. Two-thirds of these people are profoundly poor, living in primitive slums or on the streets.) Little-known Fact: Entice and surprise the reader with a littleknown fact about your topic. It may make the reader want to know more about the topic. (The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the highest honors a person can receive. Mother Teresa received this honor in 1979 for her work with the poor of Calcutta, India.)
Fragments: Use a series of sentence fragments to focus the reader s attention on images or key words you want them to think about. (Compassionate. Fearless. Strong. These are words that describe Mother Teresa.) Set a Scene: Describe where the person was born, their turning point moment, etc. (Filthy streets are filled with garbage, sacred cows wandering about, and the stench of poverty. In the middle of all this misery walks a woman in a white gown.) Metaphor: Make a comparison between your person and something with similar qualities. (Mother Teresa was an angel walking on the Earth.) Riddle: Give some clues that lead to an answer that ties in to your person. (She was called mother by millions, though she had no children of her own.) Definition: State a definition in your own words that ties to your topic. (A saint is someone who sets aside his or her own wants and needs to follow a higher calling.)
RESEARCH PAPER CONCLUSION PARAGRAPH 1. Write some key words that you used in your introduction. Try to incorporate these key words into your conclusion. 2. Restate your thesis statement without repeating the exact same sentence. 3. Is there a quote, fact, etc. that you can use in the conclusion that would wrap things up? 4. Somewhere in your conclusion, make sure the reader is left with the idea of why your person is someone to be remembered (LEGACY).
RESEARCH PAPER ORGANIZER Attention Getter: INTRO PARA- GRAPH 1 Thesis Statement (based on turning point): Preview (a couple of main points you ll write about): BACK- GROUND OR EARLY LIFE Facts about subject s birth When: Where: Parents/Family: Include any relevant facts about the subject s childhood/early life: PARA- GRAPH 2 Is there a turning point moment at this stage of the subject s life? If yes, explain. Write about any relevant facts about the subject s adult years. (Where did he/she live? Family? Occupation?) ADULT LIFE PARA- GRAPH 3 Is there a turning point moment at this stage of the subject s life? If yes, explain.
What are some of the main events that occurred as a result of the turning point? CONTRIB- UTIONS PARA- GRAPH 4 What are some of the most important accomplishments of the subject? What was society s reaction to what this person did? CONSE- QUENCES AND RECOG- NITIONS Did this person win any awards or recognitions? Explain. PARA- GRAPH 5 Were there any negative consequences of his/her actions? Explain. Why is this person remembered? CONCLU- SION LEGACY PARA- GRAPH 6 Why are his/her accomplishments important? How will he/she be remembered in history? Restate your thesis statement: Include a wrap-up technique:
RESEARCH PAPER SOURCE LIST You must have at least one book source, one periodical (magazine or newspaper), and one Internet source. After these 3 required sources, you may mix and match any other types of sources until you have 8 sources from which you are using information for your paper. Of course, you may have more than 8 sources! Source Type And Source # Book~ #1 Periodical~ #2 Internet~ #3 Details About the Source Author: Title: City of Publication: Name of Publisher: Year of Publication: Author: Title of Article: Name of Magazine or Newspaper: Date of Publication: Section and/or Page #: Author (if given): Title of Article or Web Page: Internet address (exactly as seen in URL window): Date you saw the information: #4 #5
Source Type And Source # Details About the Source #6 #7 #8 #9 #10
Name Period Date RESEARCH NOTES Famous person Source # Write down powerful evidence for each section of your research investigation. Fill in your criteria/ topic in each of the boxes below.
1. Now that you have found your evidence, make a note about the source that you used ( author, title, website, place of publication, publisher date, volume, pages, other information) 2. Comments about your notes. What are some of your questions or reactions as you read (reflect on your findings).
The Freshman Research Paper Scoring Guide: Master Draft Student Date English Teacher Per Grade: A = 16-14 B = 13-11 C = 10-8 NOT YET = 7 or a 1 in any category Content and Focus Organization Sources/Format Conventions 4 Exceptionally clear, focused, interesting thesis Highly effective use of quotes Strong, rich supporting details that prove thesis Complete development 3 Clear thesis which maintains a consistent focus Quotes enhance the quality of the writing Specific supporting details that prove thesis Sufficient development 2 Contains thesis but with inconsistent focus Attempts have been made to integrate quotes Generalized supporting details that prove thesis Limited development 4 Strong introduction and conclusion Consistent and coherent logical progression Uses clear and skillful transitions 3 Clear introduction and conclusion Logical progression Transitions enhance the flow of ideas 2 Introduction and conclusion present Formulaic progression and attempts logical order Transitions inconsistent making the flow of ideas awkward 4 MLA works cited page format correct MLA parenthetical/ in-text citations correct Research relevant and thoroughly integrated into text Extensive, authoritative, sound academic research with 4 or more documented sources 3 Generally correct MLA works cited page Generally correct MLA parenthetical/ in-text citations Research relevant and mostly integrated into text Substantial research including 4 or more documented sources 2 Inconsistent MLA works cited page Inconsistent MLA parenthetical/ in-text citations Research relevant Minimal research with at least 2 documented sources 4 Strong, effective control of grammar and/or mechanics Word choice and sentence structure enhance clear communication Spells all words correctly 3 Strong control of grammar and/or mechanics results in clear communication Precise word choices and varied sentence structure Spells most words correctly 2 Limited control of grammar and/or mechanics, but communication is clear Word choice may be awkward and sentence structure less varied, vague or awkward Makes numerous spelling mistakes 1 Fewer than 3/more than 6 pages Lacks thesis Lacks supporting details Thesis not proven Inappropriate detail 1 Missing or inadequate introduction or conclusion Lacks logical progression and/or rambles Difficult to follow 1 Incorrect MLA documentation Documentation does not correspond with Works Cited Research not relevant Insufficient research or documentation 2 or fewer sources, and/or source requirements not met Excessive use of direct quotes (over 20 lines total) 1 Errors in grammar and/or mechanics impede communication Little control of word choice and/or sentence structure Spelling mistakes seriously affect coherence A 1 in any category is an automatic NOT YET. Research paper grades are given by the teacher. The grade stands and/or improves only when the Master Draft is successfully completed. This rubric is aligned with district and state language arts standards. Rev 07/10
Research Paper Checklist Go over this checklist when you re about to begin your final draft, and check it again before you turn it in. Have a parent or sibling check it for you at home. Did you remember to include all of these items? If not, fix your paper before you turn it in! Title page follows the proper MLA format given in class. Essay includes an introductory paragraph containing an attention getter, the thesis statement, and a brief mention of the three main topics of the thesis (preview). Essay includes at least 3 body paragraphs that contain the information required for History class. Essay includes a conclusion paragraph that restates the thesis, restates the preview, and contains a wrap-up of the entire paper. Essay includes at least 5 in-text citations, properly formatted in MLA style. Essay includes 7 or more transition words or phrases used appropriately. Essay includes at least 5 sources, which are cited correctly on the Works Cited page. Works Cited page is formatted correctly as described in class. The sources on the Works Cited page are arranged in alphabetical order. The entire paper (including Works Cited page) is doublespaced and either typed in size 12 font or written neatly in ink. Each page contains a page heading appropriate for that page.