What topic are you most interested in exploring? What questions can you ask?

Objectives:

• Choose a topic or theme to focus on, and write and explore for at least 20 minutes.

• Brainstorm ideas and questions that you are interested in researching.

• List at least 3 questions that can be used to search for more information about your topic.

Choose one or more categories and brainstorm ideas for your exploration. Be sure to discuss the following questions in detail in your journal writing: 

1. Write your thoughts about this topic: What do you already know about this topic? What do you find interesting?

2. Make a list of at least 3 questions that you can ask to help you get started with your initial search for information. For help coming up with questions, spin the Generating Questions Wheel or use the Creating Questions Worksheet.

Write about a topic or idea that you find fascinating. If you could discuss any idea with people all around the world, what would you talk about? Why? What are some of the questions you would want to discuss? (Write at least 3 questions.) What details would you want to learn more about?

Feel free to write about whatever you want, but try to be as detailed as possible. Use any writing style you choose, and be as creative as you can! 

Objective:

• List keywords and phrases that can be used to find relevant information on a research topic.

• Use online and print resources (websites, databases, books, streaming services, etc.) to find relevant information on a research topic.

Instructions:

1. Review Understanding Search Engines

2. Identify at least 5 key words and search phrases that you can use to find relevant information for your research project.

   • If you use Google to search for information, be sure to use sources that are accurate, credible, reliable and current.

   • You can also use the search bar on a specific website (such as a news website or organization's webpage) to search for specific information from that website. 

   • Use scholarly databases to search for information published by academic experts

3. Use the resources below to search for relevant information.

Sources of Information

Google Scholar

JSTOR

List of sources of information: this list includes news websites and educational information sources

CommonLit

Newsela

Library Online Databases & Digital Resources: these resources are password protected. Please see Ms. Ntoso for login information.

• JSTOR

• Gale

• Britannica

Houston Public Library: these resources are available for use by anyone with a Houston Public Library account and card

• Online Research Databases

• EBSCO: Search scholarly journals and periodicals

• Research Guides: helpful guides for researching specific topics

Harris County Public Library: students 13 and older can register for an account online and use the research databases for free

1. Register online for a digital library card

2. Use the research databases page to search databases including EBSCOhost

Searching for Information

Finding the right information is often about using the right search terms. Suppose, for example, you’re researching the Egyptian pharaoh King Tut. If you use the term “King Tut” to search the online library catalog, you’ll get both fiction and nonfiction works. But if you use the term “History of King Tut,” you will narrow your search to nonfiction sources.

Online search engines such as Google or Bing access far more resources. If you use the search terms “King Tut” or “History of King Tut,” here’s what you’ll get:

• “KingTut” — Over 6,000,000 articles, books, videos, and images on thousands of Web sites

• “History of KingTut” — Over 2,000,000 articles, books, videos, and images on thousands of Web sites

You need to narrow your search by refining your search terms. Think carefully about what you want to know regarding your topic. In the case of King Tut, for instance, do you want to know about King Tut’s tomb or who or what killed King Tut? By being more specific, you’ll find the exact information you need for your project. 

(Source: "Ready for Research" in Britannica School)

Objectives:

• Create a working bibliography that includes citation information and notes.

  • Locate and use relevant, reliable, accurate and credible sources of information.

  • Record citation information for each source of information.

  • Use a journal or graphic organizer to take notes on interesting or important facts and ideas.

  • Take notes, adding quotes, paraphrasing, and summary information from each source.

  • Write at least one paragraph reflecting on what you have learned from your research and ideas for focusing your research topic.

  • Share your research topic or idea with your classmates.

Gather Information: What can you learn from your preliminary research today?

1. Watch the in-class demonstration on searching for information and taking notes.

2. Use your journal writing from yesterday to help you get started with searching for information.

   • Search Google

   • Search specific websites – List of Information Sources

3. Create your working bibliography. 

   • A working bibliography--also called an annotated bibliography--is a document or resource that contains  the citation information and notes from each source of information you use in your research.

   • To use the research notes template, fill in the “Gathering Information” section for each source of information you review. You can also choose to use your own resource for keeping a working bibliography - a blank Google Doc, spreadsheet, notebook, notecards, etc.

   • Citation information should at least include the title, author, publication date, URL, and website/journal name for each source you use. 

   • Your notes should include any relevant and/or interesting quotes, facts and paraphrased/summarized information from each source. 

     • Summarize: Capture the main ideas of the source succinctly by restating them in your own words.

     • Paraphrase: Restate the author's ideas and information in your own words.

     • Quote: Copy the quotation exactly as it appears in the original source. Put quotation marks around the text and note the name of the person you are quoting.

See research notes rubric & example notes 

Complete the reflection section of your research notes document. Answer the following questions:

• Discuss at least three new things you learned from your research this week. 

• What do you think you want to focus on as you do your research and prepare your project? 

• What part of this week’s work did you enjoy? 

• What part of this week’s work was most challenging for you?

Objective:

• Discuss progress on the research process and modify your research question, sources, and/or notes as necessary.

Schedule an individual research conference

During the conference, Ms. Ntoso will ask you:

• How will your research question impact your life? How is your research question relevant to society? Why is it important?

• Do you have enough information to write an essay that answers your research question in detail? What information are you missing? What do you need to search for?

• What problems are you having with your research? What do you need help with?

Questions to think about include:

• Do my sources represent diverse perspectives? Are any of my sources biased?

• Are my sources credible, and is the information detailed and accurate? Have I recorded the citation information for the sources I used?

• Do I need to do more research to fill in information gaps? What unanswered questions do I have?

• Are there any relationships and patterns within the information I found?

• Have any main ideas emerged from the research?

• Did I find enough evidence to form an opinion or support my essential questions?

• If the choice is mine, what type of product or presentation will allow me to communicate my learning effectively to the intended audience?

See also:

Research Question and Reflection assignment - from Arizona State University

Objectives:

• Discuss progress on the research process and modify your research question, sources, and/or notes as necessary.

• Write a one-sentence thesis statement that is focused, specific and provides an overview of the main points you will cover in your essay.

• Discuss progress on the research process and modify your thesis statement and outline as necessary.

Instructions:

1. Open your research notes.

2. Write your thesis statement for your research essay in the bottom of your notes.

   • How to write a thesis statement (2 minute video)

3. Submit your thesis statement.

My Example:

Trees are essential to Houston because they help keep neighborhoods cool, they help protect the environment, and they add beauty to the surrounding area.

Here is the link to my example research notes and outline

Objective:

• Write an outline for an essay that states the main idea of each paragraph and lists supporting details, text evidence and commentary that will be used to explain each claim or main idea. 

Instructions:

1. Watch the 5 minute video about writing a thesis statement and outline. After watching the video, take the quiz.

2. Open your research notes.

3. Write your outline and thesis for your research essay in the bottom of your notes.

   • Outline & Thesis (5 minute video)

   • How to write an outline (1 minute video)

   • How to write a thesis statement (2 minute video)

   • Organizing Ideas in a Research Paper - chapter excerpt from Writing Research Papers, 2001 Edition

4. Submit your outline and thesis statement.

See my example outline & thesis statement

Objectives:

• Recognize how the outline serves as a guide when writing a research essay.

• Write an introduction paragraph that includes your thesis statement and an engaging lead.

• Write a body paragraph that includes

  • one main idea sentence

  • 3-5 sentences with specific supporting details, examples, facts, and information you learned from your research

• Identify how and when to include in-text citations in a research essay.

• Use signal phrases to embed quotes in a research essay.

• Add in-text citations in your essay that indicate the source of specific facts and information.

• Write a 300-500 word essay that includes a thesis, lead, clear strategic structure, relevant information and examples, in-text citations, and a works cited section.

• Write using appropriate capitalization, punctuation, grammar and spelling.

• Write a conclusion paragraph that reinforces the thesis statement and includes a call to action.

• Review your essay and correct errors in capitalization, punctuation, grammar and spelling.

• Cite your sources of information by adding a bibliography or works cited section at the end of your essay.

• Apply MLA formatting including header, page numbering and double-spacing.

Instructions:

1. Open your research notes.

2. Create a new Google Doc and share it to me at abena.ntoso@springbranchisd.com Please type your essay in this new Google Doc

3. Write your introduction paragraph for your research essay. Your introduction paragraph MUST include your thesis statement.

   • Here are some ideas for writing your introduction paragraph

4. Use your outline to help you write your body paragraphs. Each body paragraph must include:

   • Topic sentence

   • Supporting details

5. Signal phrases

   • Signal Phrases handout from Antioch University Writing Center

   • Signal Phrases webpage from St. Louis Community College

   • Quote Sandwich webpage from St. Louis Community

6. In-text citations – 6 minute video demonstration | Link to MyBib

7. Finish your essay (2 minute video)

   • Write your conclusion paragraph (2 minute video)

   • Correct grammar and spelling – video (3 minutes)

   • Add your bibliography or works cited section (2 minutes)

8. Submit your draft of your essay by 11:59pm on Tuesday April 20.

9. Research Essay - Revision & Editing: When you are finished revising and editing, resubmit your essay using the Writing Feedback Request Form 

See my example research essay: “Trees in Houston”