Research Paper

Purpose:

This is it, your final paper. In this paper you will be showing your full writing abilities as a seventh grade writer. You are to research a person of historic significance. Not just someone famous, but someone who changed the world. You will ask specific questions about what they achieved and dig deep into those answers. You shouldn't just focus on the stories we've all heard, but instead dig up stories that tell you who they really were.

You will present your research in a five page formal, MLA style paper. You will submit your paper with a title page and works cited on May 16, 2018. This paper will be assessed and passed on to the eighth grade as your introduction paper, showing your future teacher exactly what you are capable of.

Step #1: Pick Your Topic & Find Burning Questions

  1. Begin a new page in your notebooks titled: Research Paper.
  2. Research a possible topic. I will only except one of each topic, so consult the class spread sheet before picking a topic for yourself. When picking your person, consider resources like:
  3. Select your topic and four questions on the project form.
  4. Write down your topic and questions in your notebook.

Step #2: Write Research Cards

Due: 4/13/2018

Research Project: Notecards

Step #3: Write Your Introduction & Conclusion

Writing an Introduction
Writing a Conclusion

Step #5: Assess Your Writing

Self Rubric: Informative

Step #6 Write Title Page and Works Cited

Sadly, these additional documents do not count towards your five page goal. However, they are extremely useful, granting organization and credibility to your work.

Do not add these documents to your virtual paper. Please keep them separate until you staple them together.

Title Page Format: Your title page should be a separate document featuring:

  1. Title (18 point font): Should be the name of your topic.
  2. Subtitle (12 point font): Should inform the reader what you will be discussing, like "How Drunk Driving Destroys Lives and Families".
  3. Your name (12 point font)
  4. Class name and period (12 point font)
  5. Name of the teacher (12 point font)
  6. Date the paper is due (12 point font)

I highly recommend simply making a copy of the document below and filling in the details as is needed.

Cover Page Example

Works Cited Format: Your works cited page should have each source you have used for this paper cited in proper MLA formatting. The existence of the Easy-Bib add-on makes the creation of a works cited page a very simple matter.

While I will demo how to use Easy-Bib in class, but if you should need additional support, please review the video below.

This is what the final product should look like, make sure that it has a few small changes:

  • Underline Works Cited
  • Select all the text and format as single spaced
  • Put a single space between each citation
  • Make sure that all the citations are the same text size, color, and font
Works Cited Example

Step #8 Review the Rubric and Finalize Your Paper

Research Paper