I-SEARCH PRESENTATION
The Search Question
◦ In this section you will describe what you already
knew about this question when you began your
search and why you cared about or were interested
in this question.
The Search Question
Requirements
◦ Reflect upon the topic of your
I-Search
◦ Explain what you already know
or wonder about the topic
◦ Explain why you chose the
topic
◦ Explain your search question
(thesis statement)
Example
◦ Becoming a professional
musician has always been a
dream of mine.
◦ I realize that making it in music
business is difficult.
◦ Yet, music has played a great
role in my life and I wonder if I
can make it a career.
◦ How do I become a recording
artist?
The Search Process
◦ In this section, you will describe the sequence of steps in
the search. For example you will describe what sources
you began with, and how these led to further sources.
You will also describe problems or breakthroughs in your
search and tell when they really got interesting. You
can also tell how your question changed or expanded
as a result of the search process, and you should
acknowledge the help you received from others in
obtaining valuable sources.
Search Process (Initial Steps)
◦ Topic Statement: At first, my
research went poorly, then I
◦ Statement about the value of
the websites you went to and/or refined my search question.
◦ Example: Typed “Becoming a
other sources you used,
recording artist” into Google
including your interview
◦ Example about the information◦ Example: Found site titled “Career
Connection”
you found (and the value of
other links or references)
◦ Explanation: Site helped me very
little with its basic bullet point
◦ Explanation about the
usefulness the information was information.
(did it support your search
◦ Example: Site “Richard Niles”
question?)
◦ Explanation: This was somewhat
helpful. Provided some helpful hints
but mostly things I already knew
such as...
Search Process (Subsequent Steps)
◦ Topic Statement: I decided to reword my
search question to “Where can I find
◦ Statement about the value of
information about becoming a musician?”
the web sites you went to
◦ Example: Nothing helpful was found on
and/or other sources you
the following sites…
used, including your interview ◦ Explanation: This shows that I need to think
◦ Example about the
of another question to better fit what I
information you found (and
want to do.
the value of other links or
◦ Example: New question. Webpage at
references)
www.epinions.com
◦ Explanation about the
◦ Explanation: This site provided clarification
usefulness the information was of terminology, but I already knew most of
(did it support your search
what it had to say in terms of advice.
question?)
◦ Example: Webpage on www.ask.com
◦ Explanation: This search resulted in me
finding more pages of random interviews
as opposed to factually based web sites.
What I have learned
◦ Here you will focus on three or four major findings or
conclusions and support them with examples, stories, or
arguments that will help the reader understand how
they arrived at those conclusions. You will try to connect
your findings with your original question. You might also
suggest further questions to explore in the future. You
should include any analyses you did/cause and effect,
pro/con, compare and contrast, or sequencing.
Search Process: What I Learned
◦
◦
◦ Statement about what
you learned
◦ Example directly citing
information from which
◦
you learned
◦ Explanation about the
example clearly showing◦
what you learned
◦
Statement: Learned that there are actually other
career options that I find to be interesting.
Example: “From the fundamentals of sound and
audio acoustics, to analog consoles and tape
machines, to microphones, to MIDI, to music theory,
to the newest digital workstations and consoles in the
audio industry today, you will be able to operate in
any environment with any piece of gear you come
across” (Scanlon 1).
Explanation: This informed me about what the
college does. This helped to further clarify what is
taught at Expression College.
Example: “We teach, and grant Bachelor's degrees
in 3 programs: Sound Arts; Digital Visual Media
(including animation, 3D modeling and special
effects); and Digital Graphic Design” (“What is it?” 1).
Explanation: This informed me of what different
degrees can be obtained from the school.
Search Process: What I Learned
◦ Statement: In my interview, Jeff Oakley
offered me very helpful advice on
◦ Statement about what you
how to get on the right path with a
learned
career in music.
◦ Example directly citing
◦ Example: “Don't walk into a studio
information from which you
clueless, even if you have a trusted
learned
producer/engineer. Don't walk into a
◦ Explanation about the
contract negotiation clueless, even if
you have a trusted lawyer. Knowledge
example clearly showing
will empower and protect you. More
what you learned
importantly, you'll probably find
yourself not getting anywhere if you're
relying on others to do things for you”
(Oakley).
◦ Explanation: Very insightful and
practical advice for when I make an
attempt at a career in music.
What this means to me
This section will give you a chance to describe how you
have developed as a researcher. You will answer the
question, "What do you now know about searching for
information that you didn't know before?" To answer this
question, you will describe those findings that meant the
most to you. You might also discuss how your newly
found knowledge will affect the way you act or think in
the future.
What this means to me
◦ Statement about what you now know about searching
for information that you didn’t know before. (Do not write
about the topic)
◦ Reflect on how this knowledge will affect the way you
think or act in the future about researching a topic.
◦ Explain what kind of skills you have developed as a
researcher and writer.
◦ Explain what you learned about the thinking process
involved in doing research, and how it felt once you
made this realization.
Works Cited
◦ Internet Source
◦ Last Name, First Name. “Title of Webpage/Article.” Publisher, Day
Month Year Published/Updated. Web. Accessed Day Month Year.
◦ Full Book Citation
◦ Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Publisher, Year of Publication.
◦ Article in a Newspaper, Magazine, or Scholarly Journal
◦ Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article.” Title of Periodical, Day
Month Year, pages.
For other source types, check Purdue Online Writing Lab – MLA
Formatting and Style Guide
(https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/1/)