Name: _______________________________________ Date: _____________ Hr.: _________

8TH GRADE RESEARCH PAPER GUIDELINES READ AND SAVE THIS PACKET. If you need another copy, you must download it and print it off the class website: http://www.mrsnordstromclague.weebly.com. DUE DATES: 1. Parent signature (5pts)……..…………...…Due date _________________________ 2. Topic & guiding research question (10pts) Due date __________________________ 3. First 5 note cards (10pts)………………….Due date __________________________ 4. Thesis statement (10pts)…………………..Due date __________________________ 5. 15 or more note cards (20pts)……………..Due date __________________________ 6. Outline or graphic organizer (5pts)……..…Due date __________________________ 7. Reflection journal (20pts)…………………Due date __________________________ 8. Finished paper is due (120pts)……...……..Due date __________________________ *Dates are subject to change at the discretion of the teacher. WHAT IS A RESEARCH PAPER? A research paper is a piece of academic writing that requires a more critical and thoughtful level of inquiry than students might be used to. A research paper is not a report. A research paper proves a thesis, and uses research to create to a new level of understanding about a topic. WHAT A RESEARCH PAPER IS NOT: • A research paper is not "about" a subject. • It is not a summary or report of everything you can find on a topic. • A research paper must have a thesis -- a clear point of view, and the body of the paper

must prove the thesis using research (facts, direct quotations, and statistics) as evidence.

• Looking up facts that support what you already believe is not genuine research. You should examine evidence then form an opinion.

• A research paper does not present the ideas of others without citing where they came from. Do not borrow ideas, statistics, or facts without noting their original source, otherwise you will be plagiarizing.

A NOTE ON PLAGIARISM The word plagiarism comes from a Latin word for kidnapping; however, plagiarism isn’t stealing a person, it’s stealing a person's ideas. Plagiarism is the practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them off as one's own. With a research paper, it is expected that you will collect other people’s facts and ideas and include that information in your paper; however it is considered plagiarism when you copy phrases, sentences or ideas from websites, books or magazines and pass them off as your own. Even when you paraphrase information (put information into your own words), which you should do throughout most of this paper, you must list the source of that information, and direct quotes (which should be minimal) must be put into quotation marks and must also include source information. A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself, "Would I know this if I hadn't read it on that website or in that book?" If the answer is no, list the source. During this project, you will learn how to provide source information by using in-text citations and a bibliography. *** PAPERS CONTAINING PLAGIARISM OR FALSIFICATION RECEIVE NO CREDIT. *** PURPOSE OF THIS ASSIGNMENT This is a cross-curricular research project involving Language Arts and Social Studies. It addresses the following Common Core Standards for English/Language Arts. W 8.7: Conduct short research projects to answer a question, drawing on several sources, and generating additional related questions for further research. W 8.8: Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, using search terms effectively. W 8.8: Assess the credibility and accuracy of each source. W 8.8: Quote/paraphrase the data while avoiding plagiarism and following standard citation formatting. W 8.9: Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research. W 8.10: Write routinely over extended time frames (as for research, reflection, and revision) for a range of purposes and audiences.

PROJECT OVERVIEW 1. A Parent Signature is required indicating an understanding of the scope of this

project. Ask your parent or guardian to look over the assignment with you and sign the last page, which you should tear off and turn in to me by the assigned deadline.

2. Topic & guiding research question

Your topic must satisfy five criteria: 1) It must relate to U.S. history 2) You must care about it 3) It must be approved by your ELA teacher 4) It must be narrow enough to easily research 5) You must be able to find at least four reliable resources (including at least one non-internet source) to help you investigate this topic. Guiding research question A guiding research question asks Who? What? Where? When? Why? or How? It is an open-ended question that cannot be answered with a yes or no answer. Your guiding research question will (just as the name implies) help guide your research. However, don’t be surprised if your guiding research question changes as you gather data from your research.

3. Your first 5 note cards will need to be turned in or shared with your teacher by the

due date. You can complete note cards on paper (I will give you a worksheet with blank note cards), or you can use Evernote (www.evernote.com, which will be explained by Mrs. Rodriguez). The notes need to be written in your own words (paraphrased) and each note card should contain only one idea/complete thought. Each note card must include the information’s source (i.e., book title, author name, page number, website url, etc.).

4. Thesis statement – A good thesis statement can really SOAR. It contains a specific

subject, an opinion, it is arguable, and it contains reasoning. Here is an example of a good thesis statement: Colgate is the best toothpaste because it is mint-flavored, it prevents cavities, and it whitens teeth.

5. A total of 15 or more note cards are required for the completion of this project. See

First 5 note cards (above) for more information on note cards. 6. An outline or graphic organizer must be submitted containing the topic and main

points you will address in your paper. 7. The reflection journal is a way for you to document your journey as a researcher. At

the end of each workshop period, you must write a short reflection (1-2 paragraphs) in your journal. You must date all entries. I have provided a paper journal for each student that must stay in the classroom, but I will allow a digital journal for those who need it. See me for approval. Your reflection journal is due the same time as your final research paper.

8. Finished paper a. Cover sheet – includes a title, student name, the date, and class hour. You

may include a picture or illustration, but this is optional. b. Introduction – The introduction introduces the topic, gives a broad

explanation of the research, and includes the paper’s thesis. c. Body paragraphs (minimum of 3) - the body paragraphs contain evidence

and reasoning to support the thesis. d. Conclusion – The conclusion summarizes the main points of the paper and

explains why the thesis is correct. e. At least 4 different sources must be used, including one non-internet

source. The sources must be accurate and reliable. f. In-text citations – Most of the information in your research paper is not

your own. Even though you have synthesized the information and put it into your own words, you must still show where the information came from. This is done using in-text citations and a bibliography.

g. Bibliography in MLA format – A bibliography is an organized listing of all the materials you used in your work. The bibliography counts over and above the length requirement of the body of your paper. It must include at least one non-internet source, such as a book or a magazine. You may use an online tool such as EasyBib to help construct the bibliography, as long as it is in MLA format.

h. The paper must be 3-4 pages in length, not counting the cover sheet and the bibliography.

i. Mechanics - Students are expected to carefully edit their work to check for grammar, spelling and punctuation mistakes. Students are strongly encouraged to go beyond spell-check and have their work reviewed and edited by a peer.

j. Presentation – Students are expected to turn in neat work. If the paper is typed, it should be double spaced using a standard 12-point font and with one-inch margins. If hand written (not preferred), it must be on a clean sheet of loose-leaf paper (no tears or jagged edges) and written neatly in pen.

NOTE: Students will be given time in class to work on this project, and they should complete most work while they are in school. There may be times, however, that work will need to be completed at home or at the Ann Arbor District Library. *** PAPERS CONTAINING PLAGIARISM OR FALSIFICATION RECEIVE NO CREDIT. ***

RESEARCH PAPER CHECKLIST – INCLUDE WITH YOUR FINAL PAPER Name: ______________________________________ Date: __________ Hr. ________

CRITERIA

POSSIBLE POINTS

YOUR POINTS

TEACHER POINTS & COMMENTS

Turned in on time 10

Includes this completed checklist 5

Mechanics: correct grammar, spelling, usage, punctuation

10

Presentation: Typed/ink/12pt font/double-spaced/neat

10

Includes a cover sheet 5

Introduction - introduces the topic, gives a broad explanation of the research, and includes the paper’s thesis

10

Body paragraphs (minimum of 3) - contain evidence and reasoning to support the thesis

30

Conclusion - summarizes the main points of the paper and explains why the thesis is correct

10

Includes correct in-text citations and a bibliography in MLA format

10

At least 4 different sources are used, including one non-internet source. Sources have been evaluated for accuracy and reliability.

10

3-4 pages in length (not including cover page or bibliography)

10

TOTAL

120

*** PAPERS CONTAINING PLAGIARISM OR FALSIFICATION RECEIVE NO CREDIT. ***

RESEARCH PAPER ASSIGNMENT PARENT CONFIRMATION Dear Parent and Student:

Please read the 8th Grade Research Paper Guidelines packet and sign below, indicating

your understanding of the scope of this project. The packet has a total of five (5) pages,

not including this letter. If you have questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to

contact me.

Warm regards,

Mrs. Karma Nordstrom ELA 8 Teacher nordstrom@aaps.k12.mi.us 734-994-1976 x31576

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Student name printed Student signature Hour

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Parent signature Date