The Research Paper:
An Overview of the
Process
Film and Lit
What is a research paper?
A research paper presents factual
information accurately and effectively.
It is written from the culmination of
knowledge gained in the gathering of data
from a variety of sources.
What skills are needed?
The ability to gather, organize, and report
information.
The knowledge of standard English
conventions in writing.
The knowledge of the differences between
presenting information, documenting a
source, and plagiarism.
Standards of Evaluation
An effective report . . .
begins with an interesting introduction,
including a thesis statement that reveals
the topic and purpose of the report.
develops the topic completely with
appropriate details.
contains accurate, relevant facts.
documents sources correctly.
Standards of Evaluation
continued...
presents ideas in a logical sequence.
uses transitions to show the relationships
among ideas.
uses exact quotations from sources
effectively, but sparingly to support ideas.
Standards of Evaluation
continued...
has a satisfying conclusion that
summarizes the research or restates the
thesis in different words.
includes a correctly formatted Works
Cited list.
Choosing a Topic
After watching an approved documentary
film, you will choose a topic covered in the
film and do further research on it.
Students should choose a topic that will
sustain their interest and can be thoroughly
researched.
Plagiarism
(Using someone else’s ideas as your own.)
Word for word plagiarism - repeating the
exact words of a source.
Paraphrase plagiarism - saying basically the
same thing as an original source with just a
few words changed.
Spot plagiarism - using key words or
phrases of a source.
Avoiding Plagiarism
Give credit to your sources unless the
information is common knowledge. For
example:
The fact that there are 365 days in the
year is common knowledge; the fact that
it rained 210 days in Seattle during 1990
is not.
Collecting Information
Use 3 by 5 and/or 4 by 6 note cards.
You may want to use different colored cards
for the two following different purposes.
You will use the cards for two purposes:
Source cards - these cards will tell you
where you got the information you are
using.
Note cards - these cards will be used to
write down important information you
have found.
Creating Source Cards
Make a Source Card for each article or book
you use for your information.
Record all publication information.
Make a note of where you found each
source.
Number each source in the upper right hand
corner.
Sample Source Card
1
Jones, Sally. Why Children Complain. New
York: Penguin Books, 1999.
Note Cards
As you read your sources, look for
information you can use in your report.
When you find information you may want
to include in your report, take notes using
the following techniques:
Quotation
Paraphrase
Summary
Quotation
Use this method when you think the
author’s own words would best support
your point.
Copy the original text word for word
including all punctuation.
Put quotation marks at the beginning and at
the end of the quotation.
Paraphrase
A paraphrase captures both the main idea
and the specific or supporting detail.
Rewrite the information in your own words.
Simplify the language, use synonyms, and
restructure the sentences.
Summary
Write a summary when you need to record
only the main idea of a passage.
In your own words, record only the main
idea of the passage.
Note Taking Guidelines
Use a separate card for each piece of
information.
In the upper right hand corner of each card,
write the number of the corresponding
source card.
At the end of each note, write the number of
the page on which you found the material in
your source.
continued
At the top of each card, write a brief
heading, to highlight the main idea.
This heading will help you sort your cards
into groups when you are ready to organize
your material and write.
At the bottom of the note card, write the
type of note: quotation, paraphrase,
summary.
Sample Note Card
Nonstop Complaining
1
“Many children use nonstop complaining,
because if they complain long enough, they
know their parents will eventually give in.”
(15)
Quote
Thesis Statement
After you have gathered your information,
identify the main idea you want to develop
in your report.
A thesis statement will help you focus your
writing and keep you on track.
Tips for writing a strong
Thesis Statement
 Remember that the subject is not a thesis.
 Don’t count on your title to state your
thesis.
 A question does not make a good thesis
statement.
 A thesis statement should not be too broad
or general in its scope.
Tips for writing a strong
Thesis Statement
 A thesis statements should not be too narrow
in its scope.
 Strong thesis statements use specific, precise
wording.
 Avoid phrases such as “In my opinion,” “I
feel,” or “I think.”
 Avoid hasty generalizations and absolute
statements that cannot be defended.
Tips for writing a strong
Thesis Statement
 A thesis statements must express the central
idea (topic) of your paper AND your opinion.
 Topic + Opinion = Thesis
 Make sure your thesis is defendable. Can you
prove your thesis?
Making an Outline
Read over your note cards and sort them
into groups.
Arrange your groups of related note cards
so that ideas flow logically from one group
to the next.
Use the main ideas and supporting details to
create the outline.
Write the Introduction
The introduction should do two things:
1. Gain the reader’s attention by saying
something interesting, surprising,
personal, or dramatic about your subject.
2. Identify the specific focus, or thesis,
of your research. You must include your
thesis statement in the first paragraph of
your report.
Possible Introductions
You might do one of these things to gain the
reader’s interest:
Begin with a revealing story or
quotation.
Give important background information.
Offer a series of interesting or surprising
facts.
Provide important definitions.
Ask a question about the topic.
Write the Body
Following your working outline, lay out
your note cards for the first section.
Write a general statement that covers the
main topic of these cards.
Using the note cards, add supporting facts
and details.
Repeat this process until you have dealt
with all the main topics in your outline.
Write the Conclusion
The final section of your report should leave
the reader with a clear understanding of the
importance of your research.
Review the important points and draw a
final conclusion.
The End