Research Writing 101 Here are the tricks of the trade of writing Research Papers - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Research Writing 101

Here are the tricks of the trade of writing Research PapersSlide2

What is a Research Paper?

A well-written response to a question that has been identified. An

accumulation of references

and ideas brought together by one’s own take on the situation.

In short, a long essay that helps one to analyze an idea or topic.Slide3

What you will need for a Successful Research Paper

At least

20

3x5 Index Cards

Access to a computer with Internet availability

A folder (Duotangs work)A JumpdriveAccess to a library and booksStudy (Thinking&Writing) Time to MyselfSlide4

Academic Skills needed

A student will need to be able to

judge

and

evaluate

and organize information necessary to elaborate on their topic of interest.Typing SkillsTime Management Skills and adherence to deadlines & due datesSlide5

What’s the Process?

_ Step 1: Choose a subject & topic

_ Step 2: Write the Thesis Statement

_ Step 3: Choose reference materials

_ Step 4: Write the First Outline

_ Step 5: Create bibliography cards_ Step 6: Take notes_ Step 7: Write Final Outline_ Step 8: Write FIRST draft_ Step 9: Revise the First Draft_Step 10: Prepare the Bibliography_ Step 11: Write the Final Copy of Paper_ Step 12:Take a Break (At least 1 day)_ Step 13: Revise the Final Paper; add finishing touches_ Step 14: Turn in your ‘A’ paper!Slide6

Step 1: Choose a Subject and Topic

Music

Entertainment

Animals&the

Environment

ScienceLiteratureSportsGovernment & PoliticsRelationshipsEducationTechnologyVehiclesCulinary ArtsBusinessOther:On an index card, write the topic you chose on side A and why you chose that topic on side B.Slide7

Step 2: Write the Thesis Statement

Your thesis statement must be on the topic you chose.

* It

must

be written in the form of a question (see teacher)

~.Sample Thesis Statements: How does a cold blooded animal survive during times of freezing weather?What is the significance of friends in one’s romantic relationships?When does a child actually take responsibility for his or her education?How has the hip hop industry affected race relations in the nation?How does a football player make it to professional league?How does literature affect the entertainment industry? How has the computer changed the face of the 21

st century?

How has the small business been influence by the recession?Students do better in schools laden with technology.Slide8

Step 3: Choose your Reference Material

Your reference material list is provided by your teacher; this gives the quantity of your reference.

Otherwise:

Choose books, magazines, newspaper articles, films, etc that MAY work for your topic. Just collect these for the next step!

(Most may change)Slide9

Step 4: Write the First Outline

This step is just like planning an essay.

Think about what you want to uncover or discover.

Make an

OUTLINE

of your ideas, then we see where the reference materials fit!Here’s what one looks like:Slide10

Research Topic:

Why do women stay in abusive relationships?

Each item

may have at least

2 -3 paragraphsSlide11

Step 5: Bibliography/Resource Cards

Your name

Period

Date

Resource Card # ___

Last name, First Name

Resource:

Publisher

ISBN number

Date of publication

Front of Index CardSlide12

Step 5: Bibliography Cards

Summary:

Page number and section:

Back of Index CardSlide13

Step 8: Writing the First Draft

Rules to remember:

a. The

same rules

of regular papers/essays apply b. See Writer’s Checklist (set up pages correctly) c. Each paragraph or idea should have 2 of the following*: _ Claim

_ Support (with Citation) _ Elaboration

_ Reclaim

Remember the Mantra! Slide14

Officially give yourself a few hours or more before reading the draft.

(A clear mind views mistakes better)

Use your Writer’s Checklist

(as you read your essay, make sure you have everything on your checklist)

Ask a friend to read your paper for you.

Questions to think about while reading: (i) Does this sound complete? (ii) Is this the best way to say this? (iii) What could I add or remove from this paper? (iv) Did I use all the writing techniques: stock language, formal language and vocabulary, etc.? (v) Would this make sense to someone who knows nothing about the topic?Step 9: Revising the First DraftSlide15

Every item in your paper used from another source needs to be properly recognized or else it is called Plagiarism

(punishable by law).

Each film, book, magazine, song, paper, encyclopedia, dictionary needs to be correctly cited!

(See your Research Folder [

jumpdrive

]and Grammar books in class.See also: Step 10: Preparing the Bibliography/Works Citedhttp://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/12/http://library.duke.edu/research/citing/within/mla.htmlSlide16

Find a nice quiet place away from everyone to read your rough (1st

& 2

nd

) drafts in private without disturbances.

Use your

Writer’s Checklist again!Important! Do not reread your paper the same day you’ve written it! Step 11: Write the Final CopySlide17

Take at least a day off from your paper, so your mind is clear and free!Once you return to it, you will see your mistakes, things you could change, and ideas that may work well. That’s why it behooves you to begin early!

Step 12: Take a Break!Slide18

Step 13: Revise the Final Paper and Add finishing touches!

Does this paragraph make sense here?

Should I use this particular transition or does a conjunctive adverb work better?

Did I state my claim, support it well, and elaborate, then reclaim my idea?

Hmmm, my margins seem ok. My indentation is fine. Oh, I need to fix my capitalization!

Should I add another line to make this paragraph complete?

My in-text citation is ok, but my Works Cited page is ridiculous! I need to fix that!Slide19

This is an individual project! You are responsible for everything. Pay attention to

deadlines

and

due dates

; you will not be babied!

Step 14: Turn in your ‘A’ paper!Slide20

Hard work is its own reward; too many parents flaunt monetary and materialistic accolades for their children’s triumphs in academia. This should not be. Timpson states in his book, “ones personal prize is won with great inner celebration” (235)

.

This stipulates the rewards of hard work to the average person…

Tips when Writing

Always place your citations within the end punctuation! (It is a part of the sentence)

Timpson states in his book, “ones personal prize is won with great inner celebration” (235). Slide21

Tips when Writing

How Claim, Support, Elaboration, Reclaim works.

Hard work is its own reward;

too many parents flaunt monetary and materialistic accolades for their children’s triumphs in academia. This should not be.

Timpson states in his book, “ones personal prize is won with great inner celebration” (235). This stipulates the rewards of hard work to the average person…Claimsupport

elaborationSlide22

The Introduction must be at least one page in length.

Your thesis must be in the introduction.

The conclusion should be at least equal in length to the introduction.

Avoid using the following

Personal pronouns

, unless asked to. (I, me, my)Tips when Writing