English 4 & WW: Short Research Project

• Jan. 5–Generated topics based on documentaries for English 4/on books for WW 
• Class discussion
• Graphic Organizer
• Jan. 6–Developed multiple research questions based on topics; determined how much information is easily accessible 
• Partnered Graphic Organizers
• Jan. 7–Used oslis.org to find three articles on the topic, then print them or email them to yourself.
• Use the powersearch to find articles; they should be no less than 600 words (copy the citation onto a word document)
• The shorter the article, the less information provided
• The less information, the less interesting the paper is
• The less interesting the paper, the lower the grade
• Jan. 8/9–Read articles and took notes
• What specific information answers the research question?
• Does the article change your understanding of the topic? How?
• What does other side have to say? Who said it? Why is it wrong?
• Connections–
• How does manipulation of information affect what you know about the topic?
• Was it difficult to find information for/against your topic? Why?
• Was their obvious bias to much of the information? How?
• Jan. 12–Write argument/counterargument outline
• See handout
• Jan. 13/14–Type up first draft of paper with bibliography
• Jan. 15–Edit and revise draft
• Does the introduction draw the reader in? Does it provide a solid claim/thesis?
• Check spelling and word usage (the first thing on spellcheck is often the wrong word)
• Do the sentences make sense when read aloud?
• Does the flow of information (movement from one idea to the next) make sense?
• Are the pieces of support explained?
• Are the pieces of support properly attributed to their sources?
• Is there a bibliography? Does it follow MLA formatting?
• Jan. 16–Type up revisions and turn paper in