I-Search Paper

I-Search PaperPurpose

You will be writing a personal research paper, sometimes called an I-Search paper.You will pick a subject to which you have a personal connection or interest, and write

about it from a personal point of view.

The 3 Parts of an I-Search Paper

PART 1 - The Story of Your Search This section tells the readers

what you knew before you began your research, what you wanted to know, and what steps you went through to find out what you wanted to know. Includes both the steps that led to useful information as well as the steps that turned out to be dead ends.

PARAGRAPH #1Introduce The Topic

Write a well-developed paragraph telling the reasons this career appeals to you. In essence, what factors led you to select this career for your future? You may choose to use this as your “hook” to capture the reader’s attention, but be sure to express your thoughts and feelings clearly.

The Structure of Writing

(Paragraphs and Essays/Longer Responses)A well-written paragraph will contain

specific elements and communicate ideas and information clearly.

1. Topic SENTENCE2. Supporting Detail SENTENCES

3. Concluding SENTENCE

The Structure of a ParagraphSample Structure of a Basic Paragraph

1. Topic SENTENCE

2. Supporting Detail SENTENCES


INDENT

Tips from a good student writer…1. Write as much as possible in your

rough draft. You can edit and revise later.

2. Use a variety of sentence structures. Avoid too many of the

same type of sentence in a row (simple sentences).

3. Proofread your work carefully and make changes as you go. Peer editing and revision work well.

4. Remember to document your sources.

PARAGRAPH #2What You Knew

Write a well-developed paragraph telling the things you knew about the topic PRIOR to doing any research. This section shows the “starting point” for your report.You may also need to adjust the organization of your paragraphs as you complete the project. Edit and revise your work as necessary.


1. Topic SENTENCE



INDENT

PARAGRAPH #3What You Want to Know

Write a well-developed paragraph telling the things you wanted to know about your topic. These are the specific questions you wanted to find the answers to as you conducted your research.You may not find the answers to all of these questions, but they are the “targets” of your research.


1. Topic SENTENCE



INDENT

MODEL PAPERSLANGUAGE TEXTBOOK

*Page 740 Framework/Guidelines

A Writer’s ModelPages 741-745 “Living with Asthma”

A Student’s ModelPages 746-748 “The Call of the Hornet”

Type using Times New Roman 12 point fontDouble space the paperInclude a works cited page – check the format for errorsUse a header for your name and dateOPTIONAL - Include headings for your paragraphsReview the RUBRIC and self/peer check to make sure all sections are completeAdd transitions, compound+ sentences, and check the paper for any errors (C.U.P.S.)


PART 2 - What You LearnedIn this section, you give the readers the results of your search; both the questions you found the answers to and the questions you were unable to answer.


PART 3 Your ReflectionsYou use this section to tell readers what the experience has taught you about conducting and documenting a search. You will include what worked and what didn’t work for you.


1. Topic SENTENCE



INDENT

SEARCH REFLECTIONSPARAGRAPH(S)

Write a well-developed paragraph(s) telling the SIGNIFICANCE of the research experience. Describe what YOU learned from your research experience. This paragraph is NOT about your career. It is about what you learned about the PROCESS of researching a topic and writing a research paper.

SEARCH REFLECTIONSPARAGRAPH TOPICS

Time ManagementOrganizing Information & IdeasWriting Skills & Writing Process

Sources & DocumentationTools Used

Future UsesProblems Encountered/Solutions

What You Thought Was Easy/DifficultHow Things Were Different From What You Expected

SEARCH REFLECTIONS

SAMPLESLANGUAGE TEXTBOOK

pages 744 and 748

Getting Started – Research Questions1. Make a list of three areas that you are

interested in learning more about through the research process. Focus on possible careers and professions you would like to pursue in the future.

2. Make a list of the things you already know about the areas/topics.

3. Make a list of the things you would like to know, learn, or discover about the topics.

4. Form a “Research Question” (pages 726-727)

about each of the topics. Review the information about research questions and be sure the answer to the question will not be a single word. These research questions should lead to several more detailed questions.

What Do you Need to Know?

Read pages 725-754This chapter will explain

EVERYTHING you will need to know in order to

complete this assignment.

Read and take notes about each part of the chapter.

Selecting Your Topic and Clarifying Your Questions

State the topic you will most likely use as the topic of your I-Search paper.

State the central research question you will use to begin your directed

research.Create 5 or more secondary research

questions you hope to answer while completing your research.

Make a list of the possible resources you plan to use to begin your research.

I-Search Paper – Rough Draft

Part 1 - The Story of Your Search This sections tells the readers what you knew before you began your research, what you wanted to know, and what

steps you went through to find out what you wanted to know. Includes both the steps that led to useful information as well as the steps that turned out to be

“dead ends”.

1. How would you divide the information in this section into paragraphs?

2. What would be the main idea of each of the paragraphs?

3. Why shouldn’t you “put everything into one paragraph”?


Part 2 - What You LearnedIn this section, you give the readers the results of your search – both the answers you found and the answers you did not find.



3. Why do you think the paper asks for you to include the information you were not able to find?


Section 3 - Your Reflections on the Search You use this section to tell readers what the experience has taught you about conducting and documenting a search.



3. Make a list of the things that were easy as well as the things that were more difficult about the research and documenting your sources.

I-Search Paper – Rough DraftSection 3 - Your Reflections on the Search What have you learned about the PROCESS of doing research, finding information, using the internet, writing a research paper, documenting sources, using traditional and electronic resources?

*Make a list of the things you did to complete this project.+ Next to any positive items-- Next to any negative items*What worked the best for you?*What caused you problems?

Organize your information into 2-3 paragraphs.

INTERNET RESEARCHUsing Search Engines and Evaluating Websites

• What is a search engine? What do they do?• What should you look for in a

reliable website? How can you tell if what you learn is accurate?• How do you document or give

credit when you use information in a research paper?• Why do you need to even bother

giving them credit?Is there an easier way?

SIRS and NETTREKKER

• Open a word document for usernames/passwords you need

(some of you have one already)• Make sure you have your textbook and wiki

information are on the page• Add the following informationNettrekkerInternet Address: http://www.nettrekker.comUsername: mmhs22Password: 12345 SIRSInternet Address: http://ars.sirs.comCustomer #: WICBOEPassword: WICBOE(Must be in all capital letters)

http://www.nettrekker.com/

http://ars.sirs.com/

I-Search PaperHave Questions?• Read pages 725-754• Follow the guidelines

• Read the “sample” papers• See me before or after school by

appointment

I-Search Paper Revising ChecklistLanguage Textbook Page 749

Does the thesis statement answer the research question completely?

Underline the thesis statement.Box the research results summarized in the thesis. If one or more research results are missing, revise.Add research results to the thesis statement until it is a complete answer to the research question.


Is the story of the search in logical order?

Number each step of the search in the order it happened. If the numbers are out of order as you read through the paper, revise.Rearrange the steps of the search so that they are in logical order.


Are the results of the search adequately supported by information from outside sources?

Circle the major results of the search.Underline sentences containing information from an outside source. If you underline fewer than six sentences, revise.Add information from outside resources. Elaborate on each major result with an interesting or surprising detail from an outside source.


Are enough print and non-print sources of information used?Are they recent, reliable, and objective?

Highlight information taken from the note cards (organizer). Revise if both print and non-print sources are not used or if some sources seem dated.Consult a library’s card or online catalog.Add information from these sources to your report.


Does the conclusion describe how the research experience affected the writer?

Bracket each sentence that describes the effects of the research experience on the writer.Add statements that explain the effects of the research experience.

Editing and Revision

Read Language textbook pages 750-754

Key ElementsSentence Style: Eliminate sentences

that begin with there is, there was, and there are. (pages 750-751)

Punctuating Titles: Check to make sure any source is written correctly. (page 752)

C.U.P.S. : Check to make sure you have corrected any mistakes in your paper.

Final CopyDue March 21nd

Type using Times New Roman 12 point fontDouble space the paperInclude a works cited page – check the format for errorsUse a header for your name and dateOPTIONAL - Include headings for your paragraphsTurn in the rough draft (show the revision and editing steps from page 749) and organizer/chartReview the RUBRIC and self/peer check to make sure all sections are completeAdd transitions, compound+ sentences, and check the paper for any errors (C.U.P.S.)

Documents

I-Search Paper