Research Guide
Topic Selection
TopicPresearch.pdfStart off your topic selection with some presearch! Download your own copy of the Topic Presearch worksheet above, to generate questions to guide your presearch.
AssessingTopicChoice.pdfIs your topic something that you are passionate about? Will you have enough resources for your research? Print and fill out the Assessing the Topic of Choice worksheet to decide whether you have a good research topic.
Browse Topics
Browse EBSCO's Student Research Center to get ideas for topics. Ask Mrs. Takara for the User ID and Password.
Controversial Issues for Persuasive Essays
ProCon.org: Pros and Cons of Controversial Issues
ProCon.org's mission is to promote critical thinking, education, and informed citizenship by presenting controversial issues in a straightforward, nonpartisan, primarily pro-con format. Find the pros and cons of 43 controversial issues on this Website.
Online Topic Webs
Brainstorm online with bubbl.us. Easily create colorful mindmaps to print or share with others. Click on "Help" then "Getting Started" for instructions on how to use bubbl.us. It's easy once you get started!
Science Fair Project Ideas
Looking for inspiration for a science fair project? In need of fun, at-home science experiments? Science Buddies has over 1,000 Project Ideas in all areas of science.
Question Generation
EssentialQuestions.doc.pdfDownload your own copy of the Google Doc, An Essential Question Drives Your Research!, to start generating questions about your topic.
WRAITEC.pdfGet more help generating questions with The Good Thinker's Tool Kit, developed by P4C's Dr. Thomas Jackson.
Research Plan
ResearchPlan_simple.pdfDownload your own copy of the Google Doc, A Simple Research Plan, to formulate a plan on how you will conduct your research.
MakingAJudgment.pdfUse Making a Judgement Call to determine what kinds of sources to use.
Find keywords to search by
Library of Congress Subject Headings
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) can be used to access materials in libraries and online databases. Search this Website for subject headings and their variants, as well as broader, narrower, and related terms. Use these terms for a more effective search!
Use WordClouds.com's Wizard to "Type or paste text" from an article relevant to your research, and create a fun word cloud that can also help you pick out keywords to search by.
Search for information
A fun way to visualize your online search.
How to Use Google Search More Effectively
This infographic from HackCollege offers a helpful primer for how to best structure Google searches using advanced operators to more quickly and accurately drill down to the information you want.
Search Effectively with Google - Handout
This handout created by the Kailua High School Library, lists only the advanced operators that students will most likely use.
Source Evaluation
EvaluateSources_blank_190214.pdfPrint and fill out Evaluate Your Sources! to help you decide whether to use a source.
Evaluating Information - Applying the CRAAP Test
California State University's Meriam Library presents this handout that helps you evaluate information. This is similar to the Evaluate Your Sources! worksheet, but contains more questions for you to ponder.
Note Taking
AVID Cornell Notes Template.pdfMake your own copy of the AVID Cornell Notes Template Google Doc!
The Learning Toolbox: Cornell Notes
James Madison University presents these instructions on how to take Cornell notes.
Thesis Formulation
GeneratingThesis_adapted.pdfGenerating a Thesis Statement will help you formulate a thesis statement that is the foundation of your essay!
The Writing Center: Thesis Statements
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill presents this guide on writing thesis statements.
Information Synthesis
HOTT TEST STOP Graphic Organizer_adapted.pdfUse the HOTT TEST STOP graphic organizer to help you synthesize your information!
Writing Guides from the Web
Upload your Word document into The Plagiarism Checker to be sure that you are not copying other's work. If The Plagiarism Checker catches you, your teacher might catch you too!
Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL)
The Online Writing Lab (OWL) at Purdue University houses writing resources and instructional material. Students can find information to assist with many writing projects. Teachers and trainers may use this material for in-class and out-of-class instruction.
Citation Resources
HCC Library: The Honolulu Community College Library provides these citation format examples.
The MLA Style Center: Learn how to create an MLA Style Citation.
Idaho State University (ISU) Writing Center: Changes to MLA Style, 8th Edition
Dalhousie Libraries: Anatomy of an APA Citation (Vimeo video on APA citations for journal articles)
University of Washington: APA and MLA Citation Game Home Page
Kailua High School Library: Guides on how to create in-text citations.