Researching is an important skill that you will use throughout the remainder of your high school career and beyond. It is our goal to introduce you to this style of writing, the research process, and proper Modern Language Association (MLA) format. We will be giving each and every step in this process careful consideration so that you will be confident and well-prepared to repeat these steps in the future.

You will use research to become educated on the conversations taking place on a social issue. After exploring both sides of the issue, you will argue for one side or the other using evidence from your research to support your position.

You will choose a debatable topic that needs to be teacher approved before you may begin. For the most part, you are free to choose any topic that you find interesting and which provides an argumentative issue. However, there are many topics which will not be allowed, so make sure your topic has been approved before beginning your research. Additionally, topics will be limited to 1-2 students researching the same topic per class. We reserve the right to limit topics as we deem appropriate and assign topics if needed.

1. Exploration of research topics
2. PRP folder
3. Topic choice sheet

• 6-8 articles that educate you on the “They Say” of your topic chosen from the following:computer database articles
• professional web sites (You are limited to only one website source and it must meet the CAPOW! criteria, which you must prove by completing a CAPOW! form.)

4. Annotated sources

5. Preliminary thesis statement with “They Say, I Say” template

6. Four source note sheets, including MLA citations

7. Outline

8. Typed rough draft (including an introduction, two body paragraphs, a conclusion, and a Works Cited page)

9. Typed final draft (including an introduction, two body paragraphs, a conclusion, and a Works Cited page)

10. Appropriate formatting (typed, double-spaced, TNR size 12, 1 inch margins, following MLA guidelines for citations)