Research and Writing
Example Controversial Issue Essay
EUREKA: I Found It!
Establish the Topic
Understand Resources
Retrieve Resources
Examine & Extract Information
Knit Information into a Whole
Assess the Product
Narrow your Topic:
Music --> Folk --> Festivals --> Lileth Fair
Music --> Hip Hop --> History of Hip Hop --> Run DMC
Music --> instruments --> stringed instruments -->electric guitar
2. Understand Resources: What sources are required? Plan your search: Start brainstorming KEYWORDS to use to search for materials. Does your teacher have a timetable? When is this due? Do you need primary and secondary sources?
3. Retrieve Resources: Gather information. Use NoodleTools for note taking and citation lists.
4. Examine & Extract Information: Does the information answer your research questions? Is the source current, valid, and relevant? Be careful how you use the Information: Summarize, paraphrase, and quote to support your thesis and make sure to CITE your source!
5. Knit Information into a Whole: Write the paper or complete your project and make sure you AVOID PLAGIARISM: Cite in the text whenever you quote, summarize, or paraphrase. Make sure to have a correct Works Cited and/or Bibliography page. Ask your teacher if you should use MLA, APA, or Chicago Style to format your work.
The only time you do not need to cite a source is if it is considered COMMON KNOWLEDGE or if it comes from YOUR THOUGHTS.
Generally speaking, you can regard something as common knowledge if you find the same information undocumented in at least five credible sources. Additionally, it might be common knowledge if you think the information you're presenting is something your readers will already know, or something that a person could easily find in general reference sources. But when in doubt, cite; if the citation turns out to be unnecessary, your teacher or editor will tell you." ~PURDUE OWL
6. Assess the Product: Review and edit your paper/project several times. Ask a friend, teacher, parent to look over the assignment requirements and check to make sure you completed them all.
Research writing incorporates researched information in 3 ways:
Avoiding Plagiarism: Mastering the Art of Scholarship. University of California, Davis, Office of Student Judicial Affairs, 2006. Web. 29 Apr. 2012.
“Examples of Using Direct Quotes, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing.” Las Positas College Library. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2012. “Summarize, Paraphrasing, Quoting.” Harvard Guide to Using Sources. Harvard College Writing Program, 2012. Web. 29 Apr. 2012.