HOW TO WRITE A RESEARCH REPORT
Research Paper
8th Grade Language Arts Project
Topic - This paper is to be an in-depth study of a person that you are interested in studying. Topics must be approved by the teacher. Please decide carefully; once you have chosen your topic you cannot change your mind. The research paper is to use information from a variety of sources and blend it all into one coordinated paper - not a review of each source separately.
Index Cards - All students are required to have at least 25 index cards that they are keeping their source information and works cited on. I will be looking to be sure that you have been working to find at least 4 sources (2 print and 2 internet). Be sure that you are taking notes over your sources, putting information into your own words, dating your index card “entry”, and jotting down the things you will need for your works cited page, such as copyright information, author, etc. This makes it easy so you don’t have to track down the source when you’re writing your final draft. Use only one source per index card. This will avoid confusion when you are ready to write your paper.
Date Due: _____________________
Points: 200 points possible.
Your paper will be due at the START OF THE CLASS PERIOD.
Requirements:
• Rough Draft (goes at the very back of the report).
• Final Report must be in a presentation folder.
• Title page-Use MLA title page format.
• Report with at least 25 note cards
• At least one picture, chart, graph, etc.
• Bibliography
FORM: Right and left side margins should be 1 inch wide; 12 point font; Times New Roman; Double Space.
PROCEDURE:
1. Select a topic from the list that Mrs. Basinski has provided.
2. Get approval from Mrs. Basinski for the topic you have chosen.
There will be no changes after this date.
a. Usually a research report does not have to be a person. It can be a
specific topic (e.g. Cells, a particular topic in science, a scientific
development.)
b. NO GROUP REPORTS!
c. Turn in your reports to Mrs. Basinski.
3. Length:
a. The research paper will be 4-6 pages written material, double spaced
based on rough draft. Other pages may be title pages, table of contents,
maps, charts, drawings, pictures, and the bibliography.
b. If it is typed on a computer, it should be double-spaced. If it is done in
cursive, the report will be single-spaced on one side of the paper only. You may skip lines between paragraphs and it will be done in blue
or black ink.
c. Your report must include at least one drawing of your own (e.g. draw a diagram of photosynthesis, a picture of a cell).
4. Sources:
a. Four different sources required (at least two book and two internet sources)
b. Computer web sites are considered for only two sources.
c. If you draw any charts or maps, please include this information at the bottom of the page: Book Title, Page, and Explanation.
5. Style:
a. Typed or Cursive Only. Use one side of good binder paper. Use the same colored
ink for the whole report. Remember blue or black ink only. If typed, font size will
be 12. Font must be Times New Roman ONLY!
6. Bibliography:
a. A bibliography is a list of all books, magazines, encyclopedias, written
or viewed materials used for information in your report.
b. The bibliography goes on a separate page at the end of report.
c. See the bibliography section for the format.
7. Other information:
a. You must have a folder to keep the report organized b. Do not use plastic covers for individual pages.
c. Write down the information you will need for your bibliography when you use
the book, newspaper, etc. Later you may not be able to find it.
Tips for Writing your Research Paper
Paragraphs
• Introductory and Conclusion Paragraphs should be 3-4 sentences
• Last sentence of the introductory paragraph is your thesis statement - a
sentence that combines the main points of your paper
• All other paragraphs in the body of your paper should be 5-7 sentences minimum!!!!!
• Tab in 5-7 spaces to indent
• Do not skip any extra lines between paragraphs
• You may use first person in your conclusion paragraph only!
Sample Introductory Paragraph:
Richard Nixon, the 37th President of the United States, is a man who has been
recognized for his controversial actions as well as his contributions to government. His
life has had a series of extraordinary events that has made him an important figure in
American history. This research will follow the events in the life of Richard Nixon from
before the Oval Office, his reign as President, and his life after the Presidency.
Typing Rules
• Two spaces after punctuation at the end of a sentence unless it is an
abbreviation, such as U.S.A., in which case there are NO spaces.
• Two spaces after a colon (ex. The following rules are listed as follows:
grammar, spelling, and vocabulary.)
• One space after a comma or semicolon
• 12-point font....NOTHING BIGGER!!!!! Use this throughout your entire paper.
• Follow format directions, including margins, headers, and line spacing, as stated
in your research paper packet.
• Spell out numbers under ten (including ten) Anything 11 or greater can
appear in numeric form.
Recommended Word Usage
• Avoid using cemetery words
• Do not start a sentence with a conjunction (and, but, or)
• Use complex sentences!!!
• Avoid slang or jargon, such as “stuff”
• Avoid cliches, such as “The grass is always greener on the other side” That is
considered a form of plagiarism!
Bibliography (example)
Here are the correct forms to use when writing your bibliographies. Please notice the punctuation marks. When writing your bibliographies make sure the author's names are put in alphabetical order using the last name.
MAGAZINES - Monthly or Bimonthly
Author. "Title of Article." Title. City of publication: publisher, date of publication.
No Author. "Title of Article." Title. Date of publication: Page numbers.
MOVIES
Title. Director's name. Name of distributor, Year.
INTERVIEWS
Name of person interviewed. Type of distributor, Year.
LETTERS
Name of sender. Letter to Author. Date.
NEWSPAPERS
Author. :Title of Article." Name of Newspaper Complete Date, Edition: Section & Page Number.
PAMPHLETS
Use the same format as a book.
ENCYCLOPEDIAS
"Title of Article." Name of reference book. Vol. #/Edition#. Year of edition.
INTERNET
"Title of Article." What Search. Website Address. Date.
CD-ROM ENCYCLOPEDIA
"Title of Article." Name of CD-ROM reference used. Year.
BOOKS
Author-Last name first. Title. City of Publication: Publisher, Date of publication.
NO AUTHOR
Title. Copyright date. City of publication : publisher, Date of publication.
MAPS AND CHARTS
Name of map. State that it is a map or chart. City of publication: Publisher, Year.
|Requirement |Due |Points |
|Overall use of in-class time | |_______/10 |
|First Source (book) | |______/5 |
|At least 4 sources minimum (2 book and 2 internet) | |______/10 |
|Note cards (at least 25) | |_______/50 |
|Outline | |______/10 |
|Cover Page | |_______/5 |
|INTRODUCTION: Contains the thesis statement and expresses the main idea of the paper,| |_______/5 |
|including limits if any.* No opinions* No I, me, my, “this paper” | | |
|BODY: | |_______/25 |
|Contains separate paragraphs that express each main idea with supporting details. | | |
|Contains specific examples to back up the main idea. | | |
|Factual information is accurate and in your own words. | | |
|Information is logically arranged. | | |
|Expresses your own ideas about the subject. | | |
|No opinions-straight facts | | |
|No first person | | |
|CONCLUSION: | |_______/5 |
|Restates the main ideas and draws conclusions. | | |
|May also include your reactions/personal opinion here only | | |
|4-6 pages written material, double spaced | |_______/10 |
| based on rough draft. | | |
|Spelling-no cemetery words | |______/10 |
|Your report must include at least one illustration of your own (e.g. draw a diagram of | |_______/10 |
|photosynthesis, a picture of a cell).Book title, page #, and explanation at bottom of | | |
|page | | |
|Format: Indent, margins, giant spacing | |______/5 |
|Other information-*you must have a folder to keep info | |______/5 |
|All components | | |
|Style: | |_______/5 |
|Typed or Cursive Only. | | |
|Use one side of good binder paper (if written) | | |
|Use the same colored ink for the whole report. | | |
|blue or black ink only. | | |
|If typed, font size will be 12. | | |
|Font must be Times New Roman ONLY! | | |
|Double spaced | | |
|Pages are numbered | | |
|Bibliography: | |_______/10 |
|The bibliography goes on a separate page at the end of report. | | |
|Other information: You must have a folder to keep the report organized ** Do not use | |_______/5 |
|plastic covers for individual pages. | | |
|Rough draft signed AND corrected by an adult | |_______/15 |
/200
Dear Parent(s) and/or Guardian(s),
This research project is a very big part of your child’s third quarter grade. Although some of the research will be done in class, most of this is something that is done on your student’s own time. I recommend that you go over this assignment sheet with your child and keep updated on their progress throughout the project. Please contact me if you have any questions regarding the assignments or the expectations of the project. I feel it is very worthwhile and your child will benefit enormously from it.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Basinski
I have read over the assignment sheet with my child. We are both aware of the due dates and the expectations.
Student Name: ______________________ Student signature: ____________________
Parent Signature_______________________________ Date____________
Parent e-mail address: ___________________________________
Parent phone number: ___________________________________
**Your child has indicated that they are interested in the following 5 topics. Please review and help them choose one as their research topic. One research source, other than internet, is due at school Monday, March 7.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Dear students and parents/guardians,
Plagiarism - the unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one's own original work. Cutting and pasting information from a website onto a word document is plagiarism….CHEATING.
[pic]
I have software that allows me to scan your paper/PowerPoint to determine if you have plagiarized. Please be aware that if you turn in something that is plagiarized, even one little sentence, you will receive a 0 on the project and will follow the consequences for cheating.
It is not worth it!! Please write in YOUR OWN WORDS.
Please sign and return to Mrs. Basinski with your child.
Student Name: ______________________________________________
Student Signature: ___________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Name: ______________________________________
Phone Number: _____________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature: ___________________________________
Suggested Research Topic List
acid rain
ADHD/Ritalin
adoption
affirmative action
Afghanistan
aging
AIDS
airline safety
airport security
alcoholism
Al Qaeda
alternative energy sources
alternative medicine
Alzheimer’s
American Sign Language
amnesty
animal reintroduction
animal rights
animal testing
anorexia nervosa
anthrax
anti-bacterial products
artificial intelligence
asbestos
athletic scholarships
automobile safety
automobile fuel economy
bilingual education
bioethics
bluegrass (music)
blues (music)
biological warfare
body image disorders
bulimia
caffeine
campaign finance reform
capital punishment
carjacking
censorship
chemical weapons
child abuse
cholesterol
cloning
college athletics (pro/con)
corporal punishment
criminal sentencing
cyber crime
cults
death row appeals
depression/anti-depressants
divorce
DNA testing
domestic violence
drugs in sports/steroids
eating disorders
elder abuse
electric cars
El Nino
endometriosis
environmental hazards
euthanasia/assisted suicide
fetal tissue research
freedom of speech
free trade / globalism
gambling
genetic engineering
Genocide
glass ceiling
global warming
gun control
hazardous waste
hazing
herbal medicine
hijacking
homelessness
home schooling
hormones in livestock
identity theft
Illiteracy
immigration policies
internet stalking
juvenile crime and justice
landfills
left/right brain
medical ethics
militias
nuclear weapons
nutrition
obesity
oil spills
organ donors / transplants
osteoporosis
ozone layer
pet therapy
plea bargaining
police brutality
pollution
prisons / prisoners
privacy rights
radioactive waste
recession
recycling
right to die / assisted suicide
road rage
school uniforms
school violence
SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)
skin cancer
solar power
stem cell research
stress
student loan debt
SUV’s (fuel economy / safety issues)
sweatshops
television violence
terrorism
toxic waste
UFO’s / alien abduction
vandalism
victims rights
video game violence
vitamin supplements
voting / elections
weight-loss drugs
welfare reform
wind power
women in combat
Research Report
• Give packet – write 10 facts and list 5 topics that interest you
• Write in due dates as a class
• Take packet home to be signed
• Discussed appropriate sources and bring in two by ________
• Print note card ppt and pass out
• Students write 15 pieces of information about the ppt
• Use lab to find to online resources
• Teach outline and do in class
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