English 12

Research PaperEnglish 12

Research Paper

AgendaAgenda

What I learned in 10th grade What I’ve learned since

What I learned in 10th grade What I’ve learned since

Lessons From My First Research Paper

Lessons From My First Research Paper

Any topic can work Pick a topic that is manageable Help from experts is valuable You must really read and

understand Use your own words

Any topic can work Pick a topic that is manageable Help from experts is valuable You must really read and

understand Use your own words

Search Term Success Search Term Success Write about what you already know or think

about your topic

Make a list of words and ideas related to your topic and alternative ways to identify your topic (for example, death penalty and capital punishment)

Use Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT)

Keep a journal of search successes and failures

Write about what you already know or think about your topic

Make a list of words and ideas related to your topic and alternative ways to identify your topic (for example, death penalty and capital punishment)

Use Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT)

Keep a journal of search successes and failures

Avenues to InformationAvenues to Information

eBooks - digitized content from “real” books

Books Databases - for articles and other

research data Internet Search Engines

eBooks - digitized content from “real” books

Books Databases - for articles and other

research data Internet Search Engines

Features to Look ForFeatures to Look For

Topic lists and search term suggestions Personal accounts and search alerts Basic and advanced searching Tools to narrow and expand your search Citation help Research help

Topic lists and search term suggestions Personal accounts and search alerts Basic and advanced searching Tools to narrow and expand your search Citation help Research help

Tips for Better SearchingTips for Better Searching Be sure to spell your search terms correctly

Think of several different terms you could use to search for the same topic

Use quotation marks “” around a multiple word phrase

Change the type of search as necessary -- keyword searches the entire document for your terms, subject searches the topic labels associated with documents

Be sure to spell your search terms correctly

Think of several different terms you could use to search for the same topic

Use quotation marks “” around a multiple word phrase

Change the type of search as necessary -- keyword searches the entire document for your terms, subject searches the topic labels associated with documents

Finding Information is Just the Beginning!

Finding Information is Just the Beginning!

Search Read Make notes or discuss with others Repeat these steps as needed! Then write

Search Read Make notes or discuss with others Repeat these steps as needed! Then write

Stay Organized!Stay Organized!

Save all drafts, articles, etc. to a new folder on your desktop in your computer account labeled “Research Paper”

Have one folder or notebook dedicated to this project alone

If you print it, also save it electronically

Save all drafts, articles, etc. to a new folder on your desktop in your computer account labeled “Research Paper”

Have one folder or notebook dedicated to this project alone

If you print it, also save it electronically

Get Help When You Need It!Get Help When You Need It!

Check the Media Center site for more ideas and handouts

Don’t be afraid to ask questions of your teachers, the (kindhearted) Media Center Staff, your comrades

Check the Media Center site for more ideas and handouts

Don’t be afraid to ask questions of your teachers, the (kindhearted) Media Center Staff, your comrades