Writing the Research Paper:Writing the Research Paper: A Curriculum Web A Curriculum Web

What is a Research Paper?What is a Research Paper?

Understanding the task at hand is an Understanding the task at hand is an important part of the process.important part of the process.

The purpose of a research paper is for The purpose of a research paper is for you to find information on a given topic, you to find information on a given topic, read it, analyze it and synthesize it with read it, analyze it and synthesize it with your own thoughts and ideas on the your own thoughts and ideas on the topic. Use what others have said or topic. Use what others have said or written to support your views.written to support your views.

Writing the Research Paper: Writing the Research Paper: Selecting a TopicSelecting a Topic

The first step in writing the research paper The first step in writing the research paper is to brainstorm topics or ideas, select one is to brainstorm topics or ideas, select one and begin to and begin to narrownarrow your topic. your topic.

Researching topics which are too broad Researching topics which are too broad wastes time, and leads to disorganization wastes time, and leads to disorganization and frustration! A topic which is too and frustration! A topic which is too narrow may make finding enough narrow may make finding enough information difficult. Click the computer to information difficult. Click the computer to learn more!learn more!

Writing the Research Paper: Writing the Research Paper: Using Credible SourcesUsing Credible Sources

Once you have selected your general Once you have selected your general subject and narrowed it to a specific subject and narrowed it to a specific topic it is time to start gathering topic it is time to start gathering information to support and defend your information to support and defend your text.text.

Click on the books to learn how to Click on the books to learn how to determine the credibility of a source.determine the credibility of a source.

Writing the Research Paper: Writing the Research Paper:

the Thesis Statementthe Thesis Statement The thesis statement is perhaps the The thesis statement is perhaps the

single most important written single most important written statement of the entire research paper; statement of the entire research paper; yes, it is that important!! A well-written yes, it is that important!! A well-written thesis determines the direction of your thesis determines the direction of your writing and helps keep you focussed.writing and helps keep you focussed.

Click on the owl to learn moreClick on the owl to learn more!!

Writing the Research Paper: Writing the Research Paper:

the Outlinethe Outline Writing an outline is an important part of the Writing an outline is an important part of the process because it helps to organize ideas and process because it helps to organize ideas and information. It then can serve as a table of information. It then can serve as a table of contents for your essay.contents for your essay.

A Working Outline is just that, what you use to A Working Outline is just that, what you use to guide you as you work on the essay. A Final guide you as you work on the essay. A Final Outline should be a polished, updated version of Outline should be a polished, updated version of the working outline which reflects the final draft the working outline which reflects the final draft of your essay.of your essay.

Click the link below to learn more!Click the link below to learn more! http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/544/02/

Writing the Research Paper:Writing the Research Paper:Formatting MLA StyleFormatting MLA Style

MLA Style documentation and MLA Style documentation and formatting is just one of many. Your formatting is just one of many. Your teacher will inform you which style teacher will inform you which style should be used. should be used.

MLA has strict guidelines and MLA has strict guidelines and requirements concerning: paper size, requirements concerning: paper size, margins, spacing, indenting, headers, margins, spacing, indenting, headers, citing in text, and the Works Cited.citing in text, and the Works Cited.

Click link below to find all the specificsClick link below to find all the specificshttp://www.sandhills.edu/academic-departments/english/wordguide/mlaformat.htmlhttp://www.sandhills.edu/academic-departments/english/wordguide/mlaformat.html

Writing the Research Paper:Writing the Research Paper:Citations in TextCitations in Text

To avoid the risk of To avoid the risk of plagiarism, all plagiarism, all information used in the information used in the text of the paper that is text of the paper that is not your own must be not your own must be cited.cited.

Citations must be used Citations must be used for direct quotes and for direct quotes and paraphrased information.paraphrased information.

Click the light bulb to see Click the light bulb to see examplesexamples

MLA uses MLA uses parenthetical citations parenthetical citations which include the which include the author’s last name author’s last name and the page number and the page number where the information where the information was found. was found.

With the increased With the increased use of the Internet use of the Internet correct citations are correct citations are even more important.even more important.

Writing the Research Paper:Writing the Research Paper:Works CitedWorks Cited

All research papers, All research papers, regardless of format, regardless of format, require the writer to require the writer to provide a list of the provide a list of the sources used. MLA uses sources used. MLA uses a Works Cited page at a Works Cited page at the end of the paper.the end of the paper.

A Works Cited page A Works Cited page only lists those sources only lists those sources which were actually which were actually cited in the paper.cited in the paper.

Click this icon to Click this icon to complete your complete your worksheet.worksheet.

Use either of the Use either of the icons below for icons below for more examples more examples and information.and information.

Writing the Research PaperWriting the Research Paper

Now that you have completed this Now that you have completed this curriculum web, take a few moments curriculum web, take a few moments to review your worksheets and to review your worksheets and prepare for the final quiz. Good Luck prepare for the final quiz. Good Luck and Happy Researching!!and Happy Researching!!