- Author:
- Joanna Pruitt
- Subject:
- English Language Arts, Language, Grammar and Vocabulary, Reading Informational Text
- Material Type:
- Homework/Assignment, Unit of Study
- Level:
- High School
- Tags:
- License:
- Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike
- Language:
- English
- Media Formats:
- Downloadable docs, Text/HTML, Video
Education Standards
Finding Credible Sources
Outline Example and Template
Pruitt's Credible Sources
Research and Plagiarism
Rubric
Thesis statement graphic organizer
Thesis statement graphic organizer 2
Website Evaluation Guide.pptx
Virtual/Remote Research Paper
Overview
This Remote Learning Plan was created by Joanna Pruitt as part of the 2020 ESU-NDE Remote Learning Plan Project. Educators worked with coaches to create Remote Learning Plans as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The attached Remote Learning Plan is designed for Grades 9-12 English Language Arts students. Students will learn the research process and how to write a research paper.
It is expected that this Remote Learning Plan will take students 4-5 weeks to complete.
Objectives
Hello,
I know there is a lot of information needed to be taught for research. I tried to place these in a logical order, but these can be taught in any order that you feel is appropriate for your classroom.
1. Students will practice asking open-ended questions.
2. Students will gather relevant data through library, field and online research.
3. Students will practice summarizing, paraphrasing, and outline note-taking skills.
4. Students will define and write a clear thesis.
5. Students will practice citation methods for quotations and otherwise acknowledge outside sources.
6. Students will write bibliography cards and prepare a bibliography for their paper.
7. Students will compose a rough draft.
8. Students will self-edit their rough draft.
9. Students will write final copies of their research papers.
Title picture credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/research-letters-scrabble-words-3691930/
Paper Requirements
- The length of the research paper must be no less than 1,500-words and no more than 2,500-words. The 2,500-word limit does not apply to notes or to the annotated bibliography. In-text citations are required. If your sources are not acknowledged, your paper will receive a zero and will be required to be rewritten for a lower grade because this is considered plagiarism. No more than five quotations are allowed in your paper.
- NOTE: Oral history transcripts, correspondence between you and experts, questionnaires, and other primary or secondary materials used as sources for your paper should be cited in your bibliography but not included as attachments/appendices to your paper.
- The research paper must follow the current MLA format and guidelines to pass. See chart below on how to properly format your paper.
- Separation of Primary and Secondary Sources are required. Separate your bibliography into two sections: one for primary sources and one for secondary sources. Some sources may be considered either primary or secondary so use your annotations to explain your reason for classifying any sources that are not clearly primary or secondary. Listing a source under both primary and secondary is not allowed.
- Each component of the research paper will be assigned a grade and each component will then become part of the research paper's culminating final grade.
Grading
Each component of the research paper will be assigned a grade and each component will then become part of the research paper's culminating final grade. This grade is calculated to include the component parts of the paper along with the final product. The research paper is worth about half of your final grade for the quarter.
Topic Chosen-100 points
Brainstorm and Detailed Outline-100 points
Source Cards (15 minimum)-100 points
- •Sources should include a minimum of (10)-critical articles from scholarly journals, books, or articles.
- •You must have at least three primary and three secondary source.
Note Cards (100 minimum)-100 points
• Must include: (3) Direct Quotes
• Must include: (3) Paraphrases
• Must include: (3) Summaries
Working Thesis Statement-100 points
Participation-20 points per work day
• Proof of participation will be required daily
Rough Draft-100 points
Final Draft-300 points
Suggested Timeline
What is a research paper?
A research paper is a document in which you write by consulting several sources to answer a question or topic you choose to research. The paper is how you interpret and evaluate information using the opinions, ideas, facts, and/or statements of others.
What type of research paper am I writing: APA, MLA, or Chicago?
(You will be writing a research paper in MLA format.)
Step 1: Pick a Topic
This needs to be something that you have an interest in or an opinion on that can be answered or supported through research. You will spend a huge amount of time on this paper so make sure that the topic interests you.
After you complete some research, you should be able to narrow you topic. In choosing a suitable topic, ask yourself the following questions:
- Is there enough material on my topic?
- Do I have time to contact all the sources I need?
- Will I be able to narrow this topic?
- Will I be able to develop a thesis?
- Is this topic interesting enough to work on for two months?
- Will I be able to cover the topic in the assigned length of the paper?
a. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXNztCLYgxc
Note: If you Google research paper topics, you will get a ton of lists.
Step 2: Brainstorm
Watch this video on brainstorming.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jj-F6YVtsxI
I use the book "The College Student's Guide to Writing a Great Research Paper: 101 Easy Tips." Here is a link to the section that I use.
Step 3: Writing a Working Thesis Statement
•What is a thesis? A thesis (aka: a topic sentence) is a statement that is found in the introductory paragraph of a paper. It summarizes the main point or argument of the paper.
a. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wxE8R_x5I0
b. Prezi #1: https://prezi.com/xuiwe7fa98l8/thesis-statements/
c. Prezi #2: https://prezi.com/-khuzdb_o5ix/thesis-statements/
Step 4: How Does Search Work?
Remember! With research, start narrow and then expand
ØWhen researching, take the opposite approach suggested for picking a topic. When picking a topic, you start broad with the prewrite and then work down to a narrow topic. To find the most applicable information possible during research, start your search with as narrow parameters as possible. Use specific keywords and criteria. Expand the search as needed to turn up more information, but the more specific you stay to the topic, the more appropriate information you are likely to find.
How to select and search online databases
ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS print your articles from online sources or save with a Scrible account!!!! You may also want to consider bookmarking any online sources in your Web browser for later reference as well.
I highly recommend using a Scrible research account. Link here: https://www.scrible.com/
Types of Websites
There are several types of websites on the Internet, and generally, the easiest
way to distinguish them is by their domain name extension, or the letters after the
dot at the end of a Web address.
- .com: The "com" stands for commercial. This extension is most commonly used for businesses or groups with a commercial interest.
- .net: This is short for network. It was originally meant to be used by information networks, or groups involved in information technology. Many people use it as an alternative to .com.
- .org: Short for organization, this extension was intended for noncommercial groups not fitting any of the other tags, but it is often used for personal websites and nonprofit organizations, among others.
- .edu: Short for educational, this extension generally denotes an elementary, secondary, or post-secondary school.
- .gov: Short for government, this extension is used by federal, state, and local government agencies in the United States.
Outline
Think about successful people around you: maybe it’s your family member, friend, colleague or supervisor. No matter what their field of occupation is, there’s one thing that unites all of them – good time management. Planning ahead and organizing of the working time is the key point in achieving goals. The same fundamental tool is applied to reach the outstanding results in essay writing. The secret weapon is planning and managing of time ahead by means of outlining an essay.
Outlining means working on a logic plan, that won’t tolerate any rush. It is especially useful when it comes to a big research paper or some kind of academic essay that’s big enough in size. Making an outline identifies how much research work needs to be done and helps plan the working schedule.
The main goal of an outline for the essay is to make a sketch, including brief thesis statements, introduction, main body and conclusion part, each followed by a couple of bullet points or subheadings.
DEVELOP AN OUTLINE
Your note cards should already be arranged in piles according to the subjects. Now arrange the note cards in the order in which you intend to use them. The first item in your outline is your thesis statement.
The subjects could become a main point in your outline. Under each point, summarize the note cards related to that topic. Keep the note cards in the same order in which they appear in your outline. You may also include your own ideas in the outline.
The next step is to develop an outline, which consists of the following:
1. INTRODUCTION Thesis Statement
Main Points
2. BODY – consists of paragraphs to prove your thesis. Each paragraph has:
Main Point
Supporting Details
3. CONCLUSION
Restate the thesis statement. Summarize the main points.
SAMPLE PAPER OUTLINE (ATTACHED TO THIS SECTION BELOW)
The introduction of this section and out line were found at these two cites:
Step 5: Source Cards (aka Bibliography Cards) & Notecards
- What are they?
- They are index cards on which you put all of the information you will need about all the sources you use.
- Why will I need them?
- They will help you to:
- identify the sources of quotations and ideas for citing your sources later (giving credit to your sources).
- find sources again if you need them.
- make your works cited (a list of the sources from which you used borrowed material in your project).
- How to do it?
- Use index cards to make your source cards, use only one card per source.
- Code each source its own letter, starting with the letter A. You will later link your notes to these code letters.
Here is a video explanation of how to create source cards: https://youtu.be/cPWKo4tWeeE
Source Card Examples from Video
Notecards:
Note: I like to have my students color code their different main ideas so that it is easier for them to see if they have information that they don't need. It also helps them with sequencing.
Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing:
What are the differences among quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing?
These three ways of incorporating other writers' work into your own writing differ according to the closeness of your writing to the source writing.
Quotations must be identical to the original, using a narrow segment of the source. They must match the source document word for word and must be attributed to the original author.
Paraphrasing involves putting a passage from source material into your own words. A paraphrase must also be attributed to the original source. Paraphrased material is usually shorter than the original passage, taking a somewhat broader segment of the source and condensing it slightly.
Summarizing involves putting the main idea(s) into your own words, including only the main point(s). Once again, it is necessary to attribute summarized ideas to the original source. Summaries are significantly shorter than the original and take a broad overview of the source material.
Why use quotations, paraphrases, and summaries?
Quotations, paraphrases, and summaries serve many purposes. You might use them to:
- Provide support for claims or add credibility to your writing
- Refer to work that leads up to the work you are now doing
- Give examples of several points of view on a subject
- Call attention to a position that you wish to agree or disagree with
- Highlight a particularly striking phrase, sentence, or passage by quoting the original
- Distance yourself from the original by quoting it in order to cue readers that the words are not your own
- Expand the breadth or depth of your writing
Writers frequently intertwine summaries, paraphrases, and quotations. As part of a summary of an article, a chapter, or a book, a writer might include paraphrases of various key points blended with quotations of striking or suggestive phrases as in the following example:
In his famous and influential work The Interpretation of Dreams, Sigmund Freud argues that dreams are the "royal road to the unconscious" (page #), expressing in coded imagery the dreamer's unfulfilled wishes through a process known as the "dream-work" (page #). According to Freud, actual but unacceptable desires are censored internally and subjected to coding through layers of condensation and displacement before emerging in a kind of rebus puzzle in the dream itself (page #).
How to use quotations, paraphrases, and summaries
Practice summarizing the essay found here, using paraphrases and quotations as you go. It might be helpful to follow these steps:
- Read the entire text, noting the key points and main ideas.
- Summarize in your own words what the single main idea of the essay is.
- Paraphrase important supporting points that come up in the essay.
- Consider any words, phrases, or brief passages that you believe should be quoted directly.
There are several ways to integrate quotations into your text. Often, a short quotation works well when integrated into a sentence. Longer quotations can stand alone. Remember that quoting should be done only sparingly; be sure that you have a good reason to include a direct quotation when you decide to do so. You'll find guidelines for citing sources and punctuating citations at our documentation guide pages.
This information can be found at:
Step 6: Easybib
Create a free Easybib.com account. Use this to site your sources and create your annotations (make sure you use 3rd person). This is the same information that goes on your source cards. When you are finished with your research the information on your Easybib account can be downloaded to be added to the end of your research paper. It creates your works cited page for you. Remember that the work cited page needs to be on its own page. This is very important.
Remember, an annotated bibliography is not included in your word count. Make sure that you only list sources that you utilized or that contributed information for your paper. In your annotation, make sure that you explain what information you used for your source or how it helped you understand your topic.
Attached is an example of an annotated bibliography entry.
- https://www.easybib.com/guides/citation-guides/mla-format/
- https://www.easybib.com/guides/annotated-bibliographies/
Log in and export your work-cited page from Easybib and place on the last page of your research paper. It is on its own page and does not start directly after the essay.
Here is how you do that: https://youtu.be/5Zie-LMJXtU
Step 7: Research
You may only use scholarly articles and sources. There are plenty of credible sources listed below. You may NOT use Wikipedia or any other form of Wiki. I will NOT accept a paper if it uses these sources.
Some topics might use mostly primary sources, such as topics comparing pieces of literature or covering an event in history that has several firsthand accounts available. However, secondary sources are far more common. Think about the topic, decide whether primary sources will be useful or necessary, and plan your research accordingly.
Primary Source Examples
In-text Citations
OWL Purdue is an excellent writing source and guide. Here is a link showing how to do in-text citation.
Documentation Styles
MLA | APA | Chicago | |
Name | Modern Language Association | American Psychological Association | Chicago Manual Of Style |
Content Area | Language Arts, Liberal Arts, Education, Humanities | Science, Social Sciences, Business, Medicine | History, Humanities |
Spacing | Double Spaced | Double Spaced | Double Spaced except on title page, footnotes, & bibliography page |
Font | Basic Font (Times, Arial, Palatino) | Times New Roman | Basic Font (Times, Arial, Palatino) |
Size | 12 Point | 12 Point | 12 Point (no less than 10 point) |
Header/Page # | Last name #; right aligned on all pages | Runninghead: TITLE; left aligned with page number right aligned; on first page of text | Page number right aligned on first page of text |
Title/Heading | Name, Teacher, Class, Date in upper left corner; title centered | Title centered on first page of text | None |
Title Page | Only upon instructor’s request | Title, Name, Institution centered 1/3 down the page | Title centered 1/3 Down the page; Name, Course, Date centered 2/3 down the page |
Sections | Main body, Works Cited | Title page, abstract, main body, references | |
Documentation | (Author’s last name #) (“Title” #) “…” (p. #) Paraphrase/Summary: (Author’s last name, Year, p. #) | Quotes: According to Last Name (year), 2nd time use short version; Back-to-back use Ibid., #. | |
Two Authors | (Last name and Last name #) | Quotes: According to Last name & Last name (year), “…” (p. #) Paraphrase/Summary: (Last name & Last name, Year, p. #) | Footnotes: 1st time use full name; 2nd time use last name; back-to-back use Ibid., #. |
Multiple Authors | More than three authors (last name, et al. #) | 6 or more authors (last name et al., year, p. #) | |
Block Quotes | More than 4 lines; double space; eliminate quotation marks; indent entire quote 1 inch from left margin | 40 words or larger; double space; eliminate quotation marks, indent entire quote ½ inch from left margin | 5 or more lines; single space; eliminate quotation marks, indent entire quote ½ inch from left and right margin |
Source Page | Works Cited
| References
| Bibliography
|
Note: There are other styles as well; however, these are the main three used. You will be using MLA style.
Here is a video that I put together showing how to set up a MLA style paper. https://youtu.be/63tnJX9YShM
Credible Research Sources
Finding credible choices: https://youtu.be/O31UifiEVX4
Why do you need to use multiple sources in your research papers?
What is the difference between a primary and secondary source?
Why can’t you just use Google or Wikipedia to find information?
Whichdomainnamescanyoutrust?
You might be an UNreliable source if... (take notes below):
Take some notes below on tips for evaluating web sites:
Instead of using search engines, what can you use to save you time?
Howdoyougettothecountydatabases?
What is another benefit of the county databases?
10. What are some other sources that you can try to help you find credible sites?
Download the attachments. One is a list of credible sources. The other is the editable worksheet for this video.
Here is a great sourch for more information on this topic: https://flinders.libguides.com/evaluate
Here is a downloadable document from this source on evaluating sources for credibility:
https://flinders.libguides.com/ld.php?content_id=29634789
Historical Societies, Museums and Historic Sites
How to use EBSCOhost
All states have their own databases; however, they all will be similar. Since I am in Nebraska, here is how you use Nebraska Access. Note: They change their password every six months. Check with your librarian to get the new password.
Nebraska Access: http://nebraskaccess.nebraska.gov/
Tutorial for how to use NebraskaAccess:
If you need additional help using the database which is run through EBSCOhost, here is a link to their tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/c/EBSCOSupportTutorials/videos
Plagiarism
Plagiarism: What is it and how do you avoid it?
Many people think of plagiarism as copying another's work or borrowing someone else's original ideas. But terms like "copying" and "borrowing" can disguise the seriousness of the offense.
ACCORDING TO THE MERRIAM-WEBSTER ONLINE DICTIONANARY, TO "PLAGIARIZE" MEANS
In other words, plagiarism is an act of fraud. It involves both stealing someone else's work.
BUT CAN WORDS AND IDEAS REALLY BE STOLEN?
According to U.S. law, the answer is yes. The expression of original ideas is considered intellectual property and is protected by copyright laws, just like original inventions. Almost all forms of expression fall under copyright protection as long as they are recorded in some way (such as a book or a computer file).
ALL OF THE FOLLOWING ARE CONSIDERED PLAGIARISM:
Research and Plagiarism: https://youtu.be/sZatwJLWcsE
- What is the difference between a primary vs. secondary source? Give an example of each.
- Define plagiarism:
- POP Quiz #1: Is this plagiarism (see PowerPoint video)? Y or N Why/Why Not? (circle one)
- POP QUIZ #2: Is this plagiarism (see PowerPoint video)? Y or N (circle one) Why/Why Not?
- Explain the difference between a paraphrase and a direct quotation:
- T or F (Circle one): You need to cite your source when you paraphrase
- T or F (Circle one): You need to cite your source when you use a direct quotation
- T or F (Circle one): It is considered plagiarism when you only change a few words around from the original text in your paraphrase. You must also change the sentence structure of the original text.
Give an example of a parenthetical citation using the following sources:
Conroy, Mike. 500 Comic Book Villians. Hauppage: Barron’s, 2004. Print
9. What would the parenthetical citation look like in your paper for this source listed above?
“Last Laughs.” Men and Masculinities. Vol. 9. Scribner’s, 200. Literature Resource Center. Gale Group. Web. 15 Jan. 2010. <http://galenet.galegroup.net>
- What would the internal parenthetical citation look like in your paper for the source listed above? ___________________________
- Do you need to cite something that is common knowledge? ________ Give an example of common knowledge:
- If there is no author listed for the source you are using, how will you cite the source in your paper? (i.e.What will you put in your parenthetical citation?)
- What is a tag and when should you use it?
- When would you use [brackets] in your paper?
- What would you use ellipses (...) in your paper?
- When would you use block quotations?
- What is a Works Cited page?
- Where should you go to find credible sources? List two places:
- What web site should you use to help you create a Works Cited page and take notes on your research?
- How do you get to the county databases? There are a few ways, list at least one:
Download the editable copy below.
Rubric
CATEGORY | 7.5 | 4.5 | 1.5 | 0 |
Paper Formatting | Paper always uses proper MLA format (i.e. heading, margins, font, spacing, page numbers, & works cited). | Paper almost always uses proper MLA format (i.e. heading, margins, font, spacing, page numbers, & works cited). | Attempts to use MLA format. | Does not attempt to use MLA format. |
In-Text Citations | All sources are accurately documented in the proper MLA format. | All sources are documented, but a few are not in the desired format. | Several sources lack proper documentation. | Sources are not accurately documented, and MLA format is not attempted or followed properly. |
Work Cited | All sources on the Works Cited page follow proper MLA format with annotations and include both primary and secondary sources. A minimum of five sources were used. | Most of the sources on the Works Cited page follow proper MLA format with annotations and include both primary and secondary sources. A minimum of five sources were used. | Most of the sources on the Works Cited page do not follow proper MLA formatting, may not include annotations, and/or do not include either a primary or secondary source. A minimum of five sources may not be used. | Work Cited Page is not included or is incomplete. |
Organization | Obviously controlled and/or subtle organization; strong topic sentences and transitions were used. | Logical and appropriate organization; clear topic sentences and transitions were used. | Organization attempted but unclear or inappropriate topic sentences or transitions were used. | Inconsistent or absence of planned organization or sequence. |
Conventions | Free of grammar, spelling, usage, and punctuation errors. | Some grammar, spelling, usage, and punctuation errors but not severe enough to interfere significantly with the writer’s purpose. | Several grammar, spelling, usage, and/or punctuation errors, which interfere with the writer’s purpose. | Grammar, spelling, usage, and/or punctuation errors significantly interfere with the writer’s purpose. |
Content | Exceptionally clear, focused, engaging with relevant, and strong supporting detail. | Evident main idea with some support, which may be general or limited. | Main idea may be cloudy because supporting detail is too general or even off-topic. | Purpose and main idea may be unclear and cluttered by irrelevant detail. |
Thesis Statement | Clearly stated and appropriately focused. | Thesis phrasing is too simple; it lacks complexity or is not clearly worded. | Thesis lacks a clear objective and/or does not “fit” content of essay. | Thesis is not evident or relevant. |
Sources | Highly regarded sites that are referenced and linked to by others. Information is well referenced, cited, and written by authors with expertise in the content area. | Regarded site that has reputable information that is somewhat referenced and cited. | Site is slightly regarded, does not necessarily have information that is researched, referenced, or cited. | Site is not regarded; information or resources provided are not researched, referenced, or cited. |
Example Research Paper
Click on the link to see a sample paper.
National History Day
If you are interested, I highly recommend doing the National History Day competition. Each year it has a new theme. This year it is virtual. We write the research paper in the fall and then the history teacher works on the projects with them during the spring at our school. It is not just for Nebraska. It is a lot of work, but it is worth it. Here is the link: https://www.nhd.org/
Lesson Plan
STRATEGY: FOCUS: | Reasearch Research Writing Process |
STANDARD: INDICATOR: | LA 12.1 Reading: Students will learn and apply reading skills and strategies to comprehend text. LA 12.1.5 (a, c, e) Vocabulary: Students will build and use conversational, academic, and content-specific grade-level vocabulary. LA 12.1.6 (a, d, f, g, j, k, l, m, n, o) Comprehension: Students will construct meaning by applying prior knowledge, using text information, and monitoring comprehension while reading increasingly complex grade-level literary and informational text. LA 12.2 Writing: Students will learn and apply writing skills and strategies to communicate. LA 12.2.1 (a, b, c, d, e, g, h, i, j) Writing Process: Students will apply the writing process to plan, draft, revise, edit, and publish writing using correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, and other conventions of standard English appropriate for grade-level. LA 12.2.2 (a, b, c, d, e) Writing Modes: Students will write in multiple modes for a variety of purposes and audiences across disciplines. LA 12.3 Speaking and Listening: Students will develop and apply speaking and listening skills and strategies to communicate for a variety of purposes. LA 12.3.2 (c) Listening: Students will develop and demonstrate active listening skills across a variety of situations. LA 12.4 Multiple Literacies: Students will apply information fluency and practice digital citizenship. LA 12.4.1 (a,b,c) Information Fluency: Students will evaluate, create, and communicate information in a variety of media and formats (textual, visual, and digital) |
OBJECTIVE/LEARNING TARGET: | 1. Students will practice asking open-ended questions. 2. Students will gather relevant data through library, field and online research. 3. Students will practice summarizing, paraphrasing, and outline note-taking skills. 4. Students will define and write a clear thesis. 5. Students will practice citation methods for quotations and otherwise acknowledge outside sources. 6. Students will write bibliography cards and prepare a bibliography for their paper. 7. Students will compose a rough draft. 8. Students will self-edit their rough draft. 9. Students will write final copies of their research papers. |
TIME REQUIRED: | 4-5 Weeks |
MATERIALS NEEDED: | Computer, Internet, Note Cards, Pen |
STRATEGY OVERVIEW AND RATIONALE: | This unit is designed primarily to be utilized by teachers and students in senior high school who are writing a research paper. The purpose of this guide is twofold: to give students a sequential approach to writing the research paper from selecting a topic, doing the research, organizing the materials, and producing the finished document, and to readily prepare students to meet the demands and rigors of college writing and research. Sample term papers, along with alternative assessments and exercises are included to engage all learners. |
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS: | 1. Guidelines for writing and grading the research paper 2. Introduction 3. Selecting a topic 4. Research your topic 5. Develop a thesis 6. Organize your material 7. Rough draft with in-text citation 8. Editing and revising the rough draft 9. Organiz the works cited page |
RESOURCES: | All resources are attached in the individual sections. |
META TAGGING: | Research, writing, ELA, Unit |
Helpful Resources
Some of my information from this assignment comes from the following link. This guide may help you out quite a bit too: https://www.sewanhakaschools.org/cms/lib3/NY01001491/Centricity/Domain/2482/Research%20Made%20Easy%20final%20Oct.%202012.pdf
OWL: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/purdue_owl.html
The A+ Paper: Writing Stronger Papers Using a 3-Point Thesis Approach
https://ualr.edu/blackboard/2013/10/23/the-a-paper-writing-stronger-papers/
Recipe for Research: A Six-Step Process