Informative Research Paper

All components of the paper must be completed using the provided Google Docs assigned in Google Classroom. Other formats will not be accepted. DUE DATES ARE POSTED IN ADVANCE; LATE WORK WILL HAVE A DEDUCTION.

Career Informative Research Paper Overview (Google Slides)

*Complete the Research Paper Acknowledgement Form

Step 1-Topic Selection and Thesis Creation

  • Take the Career Cluster Interest Survey

  • Browse through the "Careers in this Cluster" (under each of the 3 Matching Career Clusters from the survey). From the 75+ career options, choose one career for your research paper.

  • Complete the Thesis Creation Handout (Classwork Grade). Due Thursday, April 14th

Step 2-Interview Due by Thursday, April 21st

  • You will need to complete an interview (by email) with someone who has worked in the career field of your research (present or in the past).

  • Sample Interview Business Letter

  • Hints & Tips: Email Communication

  • If you cannot find someone to respond to your interview questions, you will need SIX credible sources instead of five.

  • Your in-text/parenthetical MLA citation for your interview will simply be the person's last name (Smith).

Step 3-Note-Taking & Source Handout (Quiz Grade) Due Friday, April 29th

  • Complete the Note-Taking Chart using the provided sources and remember to copy and paste your sources onto the bottom of this sheet. Focus on recording facts & statistics (only 1 direct quote per bold category; paraphrase the rest). You MUST provide the parenthetical/in-text citation and the full Work Cited MLA entry on your Notes & Source handout; plagiarism (intentional or unintentional) results in a zero! We will complete the analysis AFTER you have found your required 25 facts. You may have more than 25 facts (A and high B papers will have more than the minimum 25). You may add/delete rows under the categories. You may add or change the titles of subcategories. You MUST have a blend of sources for each major category (Work Environment, Job Requirements, Career Outlook).

      • Browse through the articles relating to your topic using these databases (Login ID= covenantday Password Hint= the "old school" name for the Student Learning Commons)

      • DATABASES FOR SOURCES:

        • Ferguson’s Career Guidance Center (Charlotte Meck Library System: Login ID= cds and flik number; Password= Four Digit Birth Year. If this doesn't work, use cds without flik #).

          1. Use this link:CDS Library System & and then choose "ONE Access/CharMeck Library"

          2. Click on the Pink "Resources" Box

          3. Choose "A-Z Directory" and then choose "Ferguson's Career Guidance Center" and "Access Now"

          4. Choose Charlotte Meck Library

          5. Enter you Login information: Login ID= cds and flik number; Password= Four Digit Birth Year

          6. Click “Access Now,” then enter career in Search Box.

          7. Click the career article that best fits your topic: LOOK to the right of the article. You will see MANY links covering all the research you need.

        • O*NET: US Department of Labor: Search the careers under “Occupation Keyword Search”

        • Occupational Outlook Handbook U.S. Bureau of Labor & Statistics: Use Search Bar

        • Career OneStop: Enter career under “Search by Occupation”

        • Google Scholar (see notes below)

        • If you cannot find the information you need about your career using the above databases, then you may search your career in Google Scholar. However, you MUST choose credible sources (.gov, .org, .edu). Do not use .com or .net. Do not use Wikipedia, About.com, Dictionary.com, etc. No advertisements should be present, and the website should be affiliated with a credible organization. Look for Peer Reviewed articles. Use MLA Citation Maker to create your Source/Work Cited entry. Credible Source Handout

  • Look at the Note-Taking Handout and Source Sheet Rubric before submitting your work.

Step 4-Outline (Quiz Grade) Due Friday, May 6th

  • Using your completed notes, create an outline using the Sample Outline. This will take you the most time, but it will make your paper extremely easy to write.

  • Look over the Outline Rubric!

Step 5-First Draft (Major Assessment Grade) Due Friday, May 13th

  • To create the first draft of your research paper, copy your completed outline into the Sample MLA Paper

  • Delete any elements of the outline structure (Roman Numerals, alphabetical letters, headings, etc.).

  • It should have a Works Cited page (always on its own page on the very last page of research paper; copy and paste the citations from your Note-Taking & Source Sheet in alphabetical order to create your Work Cited).

  • Length Requirements: CP 5-6 pages

  • Look over the 1st Draft Rubric

  • Submit paper to Turnitin.com. Fix any flagged plagiarism errors; resubmit.

Step 6-Self/Peer Editing (Week of May 16-20th)

Peer edit First draft in class using the Self & Peer Edit Sheet

Step 7-Submission of Final Draft (Major Assessment) Due Friday, May 20th

  • Make corrections from the peer editing

  • Have a parent/guardian read over your paper with the rubric.

Additional Resources: