Exploring a topic in depth . . .From Reading to Writing Questioning the world around us is a natural instinct. We read articles in the paper. We read information on the internet and we wonder? When it comes to the armed services and the people who serve in them, we can ask many questions. Why join the military? What is it like to be a soldier?

Exploring a topic in depth . . .A research project can help you find the answers to questions like these. Research can not only help you understand literature, but it can also help you investigate a science problem, understand a historical event, or choose a career.

B a s i c s i n a B o x

RUBRIC Standards for Writing

A successful research project should• include a strong introduction with a

clear thesis statements

• use evidence from primary and secondary sources to develop and support ideas

• Utilize multiple medias to present information

• follow a logical pattern of organization

• synthesize ideas in a strong conclusion

• provide a correctly formatted Works Cited list at the end of the paper

Research Project at a Glance

Presenting Your Research 1 Prewriting and Exploring

Begin by brainstorming topics that interest you.

Put your unique spin on the subject by creating a cluster diagram with the topic in the center. What related ideas come up?

Try narrowing some of the related topics even further.

Planning Your Research

1. Evaluate your topic. Is your topic broad enough so

you can find enough information? Is it narrow

enough so you can cover it adequately? You might

do preliminary research to answer these questions.

Making a cluster diagram can help you either

broaden or narrow your focus.

2. Establish a goal. What do you want to accomplish

in your Presentation? Do you want to analyze the

topic? inform your readers?

Planning Your Research

3. Identify your audience. Who will read your report?

What does your audience already know about the

topic? What do they need to know?

4. Consider your purpose. How can you express

your purpose in a single sentence? That statement

can help you stay on target as you do research.

Later on, you can revise this to become your thesis

statement.

Creating Your Research Project2 Researching

Use the following ideas to gather information:

Make a list of questions you have about your topic based on the purpose of your report and what your audience needs to know.

Begin your search in the computer lab.

Creating Your Research Project2 Researching

Look for primary sources, which give eyewitness accounts of events. Primary sources include letters, journals, historical documents, and original works of fiction.

Also look for secondary sources, which present information compiled from or based on other sources. Secondary sources include works of criticism and commentary and most newspaper and magazine articles.

Organizing Your Research Project2 Researching

Create Source Cards

Make a source card for each source you use. Record complete publishing information on index cards. Number the cards so that you can easily refer to them as you take notes and prepare your Works Cited page.

Organizing Your Research Project2 Researching

Take Notes

Record the information you gather on index cards. Write one idea on each card so you can easily reorder your cards as you organize your project. Label each card with the number of the source card and the page number in the source.

Creating Your Research Project2 Researching

Paraphrase

Unless you are quoting material directly, paraphrase what you read: that is, write it in your own words. That way, you will be less likely to accidentally plagiarize, or use someone else’s material without permission, and you can reduce the information to fewer words.

Creating Your Research Project2 Researching

Quotation

If you quote a source, use quotation marks and double-check the accuracy of your quotation. Quote material that is particularly well stated or that helps you emphasize a point.

Creating Your Research Project2 Researching

Organize Your Material

One way to begin organizing your research information is to group your note cards according to key ideas. This will help you see how the information is related. Try several arrangements of ideas, such as chronological and cause-and-effect order to see which works the best.

Writing Your Research Report2 Researching

Organize Your MaterialFocus your research into three solid topic paragraphs. Label the index card research as 1, 2 or 3 to identify which paragraph they should be placed in. Remember that a paragraph should be focused on ONE topic only, such as challenges in boot camp, a description of a military job, or the benefits of joining the army.

Creating Your Research Project3 Presentation

As you begin writing, and organizing information, keep in mind that your goal is to get your ideas organized in a reasonable manner to present to your audience. Decided which information should be presented. Use various medias to format your information for presentation.

Creating Your Research Project3 Presentation

Choose Strategies for presentation

You may want to use some of these strategies for developing your ideas.

Narration. Presenting material as a narrative can add interest and drama to your report.

Definition. Identify and define terms or concepts that your audience may not know.

Creating Your Research Project3 Presentation

Choose Writing Strategies

Description. You might imagine what an eyewitness would see and describe this using sensory details.

Classification. Discuss the characteristics of your topic by comparing it to similar topics or by breaking it into logical parts and examining each one.

Creating Your Research Project3 Presentation

Organize Your presentation

Think of your project as having 3 parts

Center: This should include –

1. A picture of your veteran

2. Information about your veteran

3. Your veteran interview

4. Additional information/media

Creating Your Research Project3 Presentation

Organize Your presentation

Right Side: This should include-

1. One research topic related to your veteran, their service, or their branch of service

2. Multiple medias to enhance the presentation of the information

Creating Your Research Projectt3 Presentation

Organize Your Presentation

Left Side: This should include-

1. One research topic related to your veteran, their service, or their branch of service

2. Multiple medias to enhance the presentation of the information

Creating Your Research Project3 Avoiding Plagiarism

Document Your Sources

Document each quotation, paraphrase, or summary of information in your Project by citing the author and page number of the source in parentheses. Your readers can refer to your Works Cited list for full information.

Include your Works Cited on the back of your board with your names, class block and teacher

Creating Your Research Project3 Reflection

Evaluate Your Presentation

Think about these questions as you review your draft.

How can I rework my presentation to better achieve my purpose and goals for informing my audience?

Can I make my presentation more appealing to my audience?

Creating Your Research Project3 Reflection

Evaluate Your Presentation

Does all of my information support my purpose? What information should I add? What information should I delete?

What facts, quotations, and other information do I need to check and document?

Creating Your Research Projectt3 Reflection

Evaluate Your Presentation

How can I better communicate my interest in this topic?

How can I improve the organization of my report?