Research Report
Lesson 1 (How to Write a Research Paper):
- Shurley p. ???
Lesson 2 (Creative Writing):
- Brainstorm possible research report topics. Spend about 2 minutes brainstorming as many ideas as you can for each area listed below.
- Science (space, animals, inventions, etc.) Brainstorm example: giant squid
- Geography (countries, states, cities, landforms) Brainstorm example: Black Hills
- History (people, wars, events, inventions, etc.)Brainstorm example: Desert Storm
- Personal Interests (hobbies, family, neighbors, local events) Brainstorm example: rollerblading
- I wonder... (why, how to, where ? came from) Brainstorm example: Why do leaves turn colors in the fall?
- Follow the guidelines on p. ??? to gather enough information to write 6 to 8 paragraphs about your topic. (You will have one introductory paragraph, 4 to 6 detail paragraphs, and a conclusion paragraph.)
- A KWL chart might help you brainstorm and organize your main idea questions.
- You could also use Webbing (also known as a concept map) to organize your topic and main ideas. A good way to use this is to turn your main ideas into questions, then gather information that answers the questions as you research.
- Write each main idea question onto separate notecards, or you could also write one per page on looseleaf notebook paper. Notebook paper will give you more room for detail information.
- NEVER copy word-for-word from your sources. Always restate what the source says IN YOUR OWN WORDS.
- If you take something directly from the source and do not give it proper credit, this is called plagiarism. Any student who plagiarizes in my class (even the littlest bit) may get a zero on the project. Colleges will usually expell (kick out) students who plagiarize on their assignments. Plagiarism is a serious problem, and it is illegal.
- Keep track of your sources, and include a bibliography page at the end of your report.
- Use Power Writing to help you organize the paragraphs in your report, and ideas within each paragraph. You may type or hand-write (skipping lines) your rough draft.
- Revise and edit your report using the Revision Guide with the help of an adult. Have the adult sign the top of your rough draft.
- Type your final copy.
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