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Eighth Grade Research Paper Checklist 2015
Name _______________________________________
Team ____________________
Social Studies Teacher/Period ____________________ Language Arts Teacher/Period ____________________
Topic: _____________________________________________________________________________________
Due Date
Assignment Due
SS/LA
Total Points/
Parent Initials
Indicating he/she has
Received
reviewed the assignment due
and its criteria
Library Week of
2/17-2/21
Project Introduced/Topic assigned/
approved /Designate P-File for project
SS
Decided on by
SS Teacher
-
Thesis Statement and Title Page
LA
10/
Generate a paragraph that summarizes what
your paper will be about. Then write a thesis
statement that sums up your topic.
*Begin Source Cards
*Begin Works Cited
Tuesday
25 Facts on Source Cards
SS
5/
3/10
A minimum of one from a website, database, (conference)
and book is needed – be sure to write/copy
your book’s information
Thursday Initial Works Cited Page
LA
10/
3/12
(at least 3 sources)
*Continue Research/Source Cards
*Work on Preliminary Outline
Tuesday
Total 35 Facts on Source Cards (with
SS
5/
(conference)
3/17
original source cards)
___________ ________________________________ _______ ____________ ________________
Thursday Final Outline
SS
3/19
*Continue Research
15/
*Make note cards
Tuesday
Rough Draft With All Components:
SS
22/
3/31
-Title Page
-Outline and Source Cards
-Hard Copy of citations (highlighted)
-Thesis Statement
-Works Cited
-Checklist
Thursday Final Copy With All Components
SS/LA 30/
4/16
Include all technology components
Thursday
2/26
Thursday
4/16
Technology Component:
All students must have created a file folder on
their flash drive or Google Doc labeled
“research paper.” In this folder, a copy of
everything above must be displayed in an
organized way.
For Soc. Studies, Your Final Grade =
SS
3/
For Lang. Arts, Your Final Grade =
All * are to be worked on for homework.
***All typed work is to be double-spaced (except outlines)!
** If you are cross teamed, check with your LA and SS teacher for changes in dates and instructions!
 Failure to include this checklist on the due dates will result in loss of points
 Parents must initial each section as it is completed before the day you hand in the work! (1 pt. penalty each)
 Failure to have work on due dates will result in loss of points
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WELCOME STUDENTS (AND PARENTS)
TO THE
EIGHTH GRADE RESEARCH PAPER!
Why Write a Research Paper?
Researching is an important skill that students will use not only throughout high school and college, but in other
life situations, as well. This eighth grade project provides the students with an opportunity to be guided through
the steps necessary to complete a research paper, so that students will be better equipped to complete a paper like
this, on their own, in the future.
The 8th Grade Research Paper is an in-depth activity in which the students learn the basics of writing a research
paper, including: identifying appropriate research sources, writing a thesis statement, outlining, as well as writing
the actual body of the report (including in-text citations and a works-cited page). This structured project “walks”
the students through each stage of writing a research paper. This is an interdisciplinary assignment –language arts
and social studies teachers work together to teach and reinforce the process of creating a research paper. Included
in this project is a technology component, supporting our district’s emphasis on preparing our youth for the future.
Parent Participation/A Joint Effort!
We invite/kindly request that parents participate in this important end-of-year activity. Because this is such an
important academic and lifetime skill, and because it counts not for one grade, but two, we hope our students’
parents will look forward to this opportunity to partner with us, as we go through the process with the students.
For the teachers, the parents, and most importantly, the students, we have developed a checklist, outlining the
process by which all students should adhere. Students are not only required to complete each “mini”-task by the
indicated due date, but to have each effort acknowledged by a parent (as indicated with initials on the checklist
itself), the night before. Please help us by making sure you review student’s work, and not just initialing the
checklist “blind.” The more involved you are, the better! (Right, students?)
Because we really want to stress process to the students, we have created a system whereas students can earn
points just by doing what they are supposed to do on time, every time. They even get points just for making sure
they get their parents to sign off, as well. A student who follows each and every step, understands all directions,
and gets the appropriate parent initials, is well on his or her way to earning a very high grade for this assignment.
We look forward to working with you on this exciting and educational project. Thank you!
________________________________________
I have read and understand the request/commitment (parent signature).
Students are required to keep a copy of each part of this process on the P file at school; it is helpful for the student
if they have a thumb drive which they can bring work back and forth from home to school. It is also helpful if the
students label their thumb drives with their names in case they are misplaced.
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To fulfill eighth grade requirement for
Social Studies, Language Arts, and Library Science
Robert R. Lazar Middle School
You will receive 2 grades for this report: one in Social Studies, and one in Language Arts.
Purpose:
o Select a topic that interests you and has enough information to formulate a threepage paper
o Recognize what information you already know about the subject and reflect upon
what you need to find out
o Learn about paper and electronic sources and distinguish between valid and invalid
sources
o Choose information relevant to your topic and avoid information that is irrelevant
o Organize information
o Produce a well-written paper
Student’s Evaluation is based on:
Title Page
Thesis Statement development
Outline development
Gather appropriate research material (both online and book sources)
Research and construction of text
Use of in-text citations
Correct format of work-cited page
Correctly putting all the above pieces together in one paper
Technology Component
My media center login: __________________________
Username
_____________________________
Password
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Research Paper: Instructions
Selecting a Topic
1. Do initial research to determine topic and what aspect of your topic you may want to
focus on in your paper (You may use your textbook during step 1 only.).
2. Select a topic. It must be narrow in scope since your paper is only 3-4 pages.
3. Create a folder on your P-Drive or your flash drive to contain all future assignments,
subject to random checking. It is also advised that you have a thumb drive in order to
bring work from school to home and back again. Attempt to keep both the P-drive and
thumb drive up to date.
Thesis Statement / Summary Paragraph and Title Page
 Thesis Statement
In order to start your research paper, you need to have a good idea what you will
be focusing on concerning your topic. Your first pieces of the research paper to be
graded will be the summary paragraph and 3 thesis statements.
 A thesis statement is a concentrated, one-sentence statement that
sums up the main idea of your research paper. You must have
three for this assignment. Your teacher will choose the best one, or
ask you to re-do them.
 Your final thesis statement will be on the top of your outline page.
* See page 7 of packet

Summary Paragraph



The summary paragraph is a brief, one-paragraph description of what
you will be researching concerning your topic
Make sure to indent this paragraph
Heading (not a header)


Double-spaced
On the top-left of the paper
 The date should have this format: 10 September 2009
 The heading should have the following:
First and last name of student
Teacher’s name
Assignment title
The date this part of the project is due


One-inch margins on all sides
The thesis statement/summary paragraph assignment needs
to be Times New Roman, size 12, and double-spaced
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 Title Page
o Dead-centered 1/2 of the way down the page, place your title.
o It needs to be single-spaced
o Bottom right-hand corner:
o
Name
SS Teacher / LA Teacher
Research Paper
Date the project is due—written this way:
1 January 2011
As shown in diagram, align items to the left. (Use tab button)
Title
{Dead Centered}
Name
SS Tea. / LA Teacher
Research Paper
Date
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Source Cards – 25 facts, then 35 total facts
Source cards will help you keep your citations and research information organized.
1. Obtain Research/Source Cards from library/homework website.
2. Every time you find a source, write the citation information on the source card.
* Make copies of the pages from the books you used when you first find them*
3. As you read through your research, you will find parts that you will want to use
for your report.
4. As you find these, take notes in bullet form on your source cards
5. This way, all of the information you will want to use will be organized with the
correct source, and you can later organize them better for your outline.
- Your cards will be checked by your teachers, after you complete 25 facts and again
after you complete 35. These cards will be turned in with your final paper as well.
- You should have a card (or more) for each part of your outline.
- Each card should be in bullet format and have citation information on it, including
page numbers.
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Initial Works Cited Page
 CRITERIA

Use three total citations. Include three different types of sources.
 One book, one Website, and one database
 Restrictions
o No general encyclopedias (including World Book database
articles)
o No .com Websites
o Do not use the Social Studies textbook as a source

Organize alphabetically (by first word in each citation)
o HEADING (not a header) – double-spaced
 On the top of the paper, you must have the heading on the top-left portion
of the page
 This needs to be removed when you hand in the final copy
 The heading should have this format:
First and last name of student
Teacher’s name
Assignment title
The date this part of the project is due (Format: 10 September 2009)
o FORMAT OF WORKS CITED PAGE
 One-inch margins on all sides
 Times New Roman, size 12
 Double-spaced
 Organized alphabetically by first word of each citation
 No extra spaces between sources
 Use a “hanging indent” if one source goes to a second line
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MLA Citation Style
Books
Author’s last name, 1st name Middle initial. Title. Place of Publication: Publisher, Date published. Medium of publication.
Smith, John S. History of America. Chicago, Illinois: Random Publication, 1979. Print.
Newspaper and Magazine Articles
Author(s). "Title of Article." Title of Periodical Day Month Year: pages. Medium of publication.
Smith, John S. “Chicago’s History.” America 4 March 2000: 4-8. Print.
Database
Author. “Title of Article.” Name of source. Date written: page numbers (if you have them). Name of
database. Medium of publication. Date of access. <url>.
Smith, John S. “The Importance of America.” America’s History. 4 April 2001: 1-2. EBSCO. Web. 12 February 2014.
<www.ebsco.com/america.importance>.
Website and Articles on the Internet
Author. “Article.” Name of Site. Name of institution/organization affiliated with the site (sponsor or
publisher), date of resource creation/last published. Medium of publication. Date of access.
<url>.
Smith, John. “Chicago.” History of Chicago. Chicago’s City Hall, 5 October 2014. Web. 5 January 2015.
<www.historyofchicago.com/chicago.328109481>.
Work in an Anthology
Author of selection. “Title of Selection.” Title of Anthology. Editor’s name. Place of Publication:
Publisher, date. Page #s. Medium of publication.
Smith, John. “The Great Chicago Fire.” American Tragedies. Jones, James. New York, New York: Random House
Publishers, 2012. 34, 45. Print
Personal Interview
Last Name, First Name. City, State. Day Month Year. Personal Interview.
Smith, John. Randolph, New Jersey. 5 February 2015. Personal Interview.
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More Than One Author
2 Authors
First author’s (whoever is listed first) last name, First author’s first name middle initial and second
author’s first name second author’s last name.
Smith, John S. and Bob Jones.
3 Authors
First author’s (whoever is listed first) last name, First author’s first name middle initial and second author’s first name
second author’s last name, and third author’s first name third author’s last name.
Smith, John S., Bob Jones, and Steve Wilson.
4 or More Authors
First author’s last name, first author’s first name followed by the phrase et. al. in place of the other authors’ names.
Smith, John S. et. al.
Two or More Works by the Same Authors
Every entry after the first one would begin this way followed by the citation as usual, but without the author.
---(Yes, you actually put three hyphens). Insert the rest of the citation here
No Author
If author’s name is not available, use the article’s title as the first part of the citation, and alphabetize it by the first word in
the title.
No Date
Use the abbreviation “n.d.” when the Web page or database does not provide a publication date.
No Page
Use the abbreviation “n. pag.” when an entry requires that you provide a page but no pages are provided in the source.
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Outline
o An outline will help you organize your research and ideas in the order they
will be presented in your paper
o Plan for a 3 - 4 page paper (Honors: 5-6), double-spaced
o This is the format needed for your outline:
FORMAT
EXAMPLE
Title
Thesis Statement:
I. Main idea
A. Supporting detail
B. Supporting detail
1. More information (about “B”)
2. More information (about “B”)
II. Main idea
A. Supporting detail
1. More information
2. More information
B. Supporting detail
Fashion of the Fifties
Thesis Statement:
I. Women’s fashions
A. Poodle skirts
B. Pony tails
C. Footwear
1. Ked sneakers
2. Saddle shoes
II. Men’s fashions
A. Ducktail haircut
B. Cuffed jeans
C. Oxford shoes
Please note!!!
o The first letter, and only the first letter (with the exception of proper nouns), of each line is ALWAYS
capitalized
o The A’s and B’s line up
o The 1’s and 2’s line up
o If you have a I, you need a II, if you have an A, you need a B, etc.
o There should only be one space between the period and the first word of each line
o Double space between each main heading /Roman numerals
o Main heading (I, II, III) are next to the left hand margin
o Subheadings need to begin under the previous heading
o Start with Roman Numerals, then capital letters, then numbers, then lower case letters.
 I. > A. > 1. > a. > (1) > (a)
o When a heading runs over a line, the second line is indented as far as the first word of the preceding
line
o Do not put any punctuation at the end of any line because there should be no complete sentences
o There should be one-inch margins on all four sides
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Rough Draft
Utilize your outline to compose a rough draft of your paper in your own words.
You need to present your rough copy of everything done to this point. All corrections that
were discussed concerning previous steps should have been made.

Title page (Page 5)

Outline with thesis statement on top (Page 8)

Text (your research in sentence form) with in-text citations in the text
o Typed
o Double-spaced
o Times New Roman
o 12-point font
o 1 inch margins on all four sides
o Header on top, student’s last name and page number in upper-right corner on
each page

Only the report itself and the works cited has a header
o 3-4 pages in length (Honors: 5-6 pages)
o This needs to have peer-edits in it, but should not be corrected

Works cited page (Pages 6-7)

Checklist

Source cards with the hard copies of sources attached (Page 9)

Hard copies of sources with highlighted information used for the 8-10 in-text citations
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Final Draft (2 copies, 1 to SS + 1 to LA)

Final drafts must include the following in this order from top to bottom:
o Title page (Page 5)
o Outline (Page 8)
o Final draft, with in-text citations (Page 12)
 Papers 3-4 pages in length: 8-12 citations
 Papers 5-6 pages in length: 10-20 citations

Typed

Double-spaced

Times New Roman

12-point font

One-inch margins on all four sides

Header on top, author’s last name and page number in upper-right corner on each
page


Only the report itself and the works cited has a header
3-4 pages in length (Honors: 5-6 pages)
o Works cited page (Pages 6-7)
o Your checklist with all required signatures (make a copy for both LA and SS)

It must be stapled together

Clipped together, to be turned in with the final draft should be the following from top to bottom:
o Rough draft of everything (title page, outline with thesis statement, report, works cited
page)
o Source Cards
o Research attached to source cards (including hardcopies of sources with highlighted
information used for the 8-10 in-text citations)
Submit 1 copy to Language Arts Teacher
Submit 1 copy to SS Teacher
Submit to SS for review P-Folder or flash drive with all assignments in order of due dates
Do not forget to make a copy of your checklist for both copies of your research paper
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In-Text Citations
When you want to use the ideas of another person in your essay, you have two options:
1. Quoting the words verbatim
 Since the topic of your paper has been assigned to meet the content areas of the Social
Studies curriculum, you must have one, and only one, direct quote (not including
the introduction paragraph) in this paper.
 Your direct quote must be something that one of the author’s of your sources wrote. It
should not be a quote from a historical figure.
2. Paraphrasing
 Papers 3-4 pages in length: 8-12 citations
 Papers 5-6 pages in length: 10-20 citations

“In-text” or “parenthetical” citations serve two purposes.
1. Gives credit to the author whose information you used
2. Shows the reader where to look on your works cited page for the source of your research
BOOK
(one author)
(Author’s Last Name Page Number)
BOOK
(two authors)
(First Author’s Last Name and Second Author’s Last
Name Page Number)
BOOK
(three authors)
(First Author’s Last Name, Second Author’s Last
Name and Third Author’s Last Name Page Number)
BOOK
(more than three authors)
(First Author’s Last Name et al. Page Number)
MAGAZINE ARTICLE
(Author of Article’s Last Name Page Number)
NEWSPAPER ARTICLE
(Author of Article’s Last Name Page Number)
LIBRARY DATABASE
(Author of Article’s Last Name)
WEBSITE
(Author’s Last Name)
TWO WORKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR
(Author’s last name, First word of the article Page
Number (if needed))
***If there is no author for your work, then alphabetize by the first word of the title of the article***
Paraphrasing is when you rephrase the main idea of the other author’s into your own words. Your
words must not too closely resemble the other person’s words!
Quoting is using another person’s exact words
 When you use another person’s words in your essay, you must surround them by quotes.

How to punctuate a quote:
 Place quotation marks around the entire sentence you borrow:
 “This is an important part of the research paper” (citation).
 If you do not want the beginning of the sentence:
 “…an important part of the research paper” (citation).
If you do not want the end of the sentence:
 “This is an important part…” rest of your sentence if needed (citation).
o If you do not want words in the middle of the sentence:
 “This is...part of the research paper” (citation).
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th
8 Grade Social Studies Research Paper Technology Component:
Technology Component Checklist:
Building upon knowledge and skills gained in preceding grades, by the end of the 8th Grade Research Paper, the
students will show an understanding of the following:
_______ -Use appropriate technology vocabulary.
_______ -Use common features of an operating system (e.g.,creating and organizing files and folders).
_______ -Create a file containing customized information by merging documents.
_______ -Use basic computer icons.
_______ -Exhibit legal and ethical behaviors when using information and technology, and discuss consequences of misuse.
_______ -Explain the purpose of an Acceptable Use Policy and the consequences of inappropriate use of technology.
_______ -Choose appropriate tools and information resources to support research and solve real world problems, including but
k
not limited to:
 On-line resources and databases
 Search engines and subject directories
_______- Evaluate the accuracy, relevance, and appropriateness of print and non-print electronic information sources.
Research Paper Value total 3 points - upon the final due date, the student will display a proficient use of all 8 skills listed above.
All 8 = 3pts - Highly Proficient
6/7 of 8 = 2pts - Proficient
4/5 of 8 = 1pts - Partially Proficient
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SOURCE CARDS FOR BOOKS
Name: _______________________________________________________ Source No.:________
Author(s) (Last Name, First Name): ______________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Book Title (italicized): _________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
City of Publication: _________________________________ Publisher: ________________________
Date of Publication___________________
Medium (Print or Web) ___________________
Format:
Author’s last name, 1st name Middle initial. Title. Place of Publication: Publisher, Date published. Medium of
publication.
RESEARCH/INFORMATION
Quote: ______________

Paraphrase: _____________
Research: ____________
Pg.___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
 Pg.___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
 Pg.___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

Pg.___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
 Pg.___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
 Pg.___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
 Pg.___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
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SOURCE CARDS FOR INTERNET ARTICLES
Name: _________________________________________
Source:______________
Author(s) (Last Name, First Name): _________________, ___________________________________
“Title of Article”: ____________________________________________________________________
Title of Website:______________________________________________________________________
Date of Posting: ___________________ Date of Access: ____________________________________
URL: _____________________________________________
Format:
Author. “Article.” Name of Site. Name of institution/organization affiliated with the site (sponsor or publisher),
date of resource creation/last published. Medium of publication. Date of access. <url>.
RESEARCH/INFORMATION
Quote: ______________

Paraphrase: _____________
Research: ____________
Pg.___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
 Pg.___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
 Pg.___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

Pg.___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
 Pg.___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
 Pg.___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
 Pg.___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
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SOURCE CARDS FOR DATA BASE
Name:__________________________________________________Source No.:___________
Author(s) (Last Name, First Name): _____________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
“Title of Article”: ____________________________________________________________________
Book Title or Journal Title:_____________________________________________________________
Volume (if any): Day Month Year: Page No.: ________
Name of Data Base. __________________________________________________________________
Date of Access: ______________________ URL: __________________________________________
Format:
Author. “Title of Article.” Name of source. Date written: page numbers (if you have them). Name of database.
Medium of publication. Date of access. <url>.
RESEARCH/INFORMATION
Quote: ______________

Paraphrase: _____________
Research: ____________
Pg.___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
 Pg.___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
 Pg.___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

Pg.___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
 Pg.___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
 Pg.___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
 Pg.___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
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SOURCE CARDS FOR NEWSPAPER OR MAGAZINE
Name: ______________________________________________Source No.:______________
Author(s) (Last Name, First Name): __________________, ____________________________
“Title of Article”: ______________________________________________________________
Name of Newspaper or Magazine (italicized):_________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Issue Date: __________________ Page Nos.: _______________________
Format:
Author(s). "Title of Article." Title of Periodical Day Month Year: pages. Medium of publication.
RESEARCH/INFORMATION
Quote: ______________

Paraphrase: _____________
Research: ____________
Pg.___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
 Pg.___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
 Pg.___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

Pg.___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
 Pg.___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
 Pg.___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
 Pg.___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
SOURCE CARD FOR PERSONAL INTERVIEW
Name: _______________________________
Source No: ______________
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Interviewee’s Name (Last, First): _____________________,___________________________
Where interview was held (City, State): _____________________________________________
Date of Interview (Day Month Year): ____________________________________
Format: Last Name, First Name. City, State. Day Month Year. Personal Interview.
RESEARCH/INFORMATION
Quote: ______________
Paraphrase: _____________

Pg.___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
 Pg.___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
 Pg.___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

Pg.___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
 Pg.___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
 Pg.___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
 Pg.___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________