8th Grade Research Project

RESEARCH PAPER

Topic & Research Question

Research

Project Overview

Outline

Thesis

Introduction

Works Cited & Plagiarism

Conclusion

Body Paragraphs

Examples, Files & Links

10

Technology Help

Submission Timeline

11

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Project Overview

This is an EXPLANATORY PAPER. An explanatory paper is an essay that uses information from credible sources to explain a topic.Your paper should be:​

• 5 paragraphs long (introduction, 3 body paragraphs, conclusion)​
• Written in 3rd person (“they,” “them,” “her,” “him”)​
• Facts only- no opinions!

This research project will be made up of five parts, all of which will be completed in this document:​

Choosing Your Topic Researching Outlining Writing Citing

Creating a Research Question

Topic:

• general idea of your project
• ex: Otto Frank, A flamingo's habitat, Nintendo Switch

Research Question:

• A specific question that can be answered about the topic
• ex: What was Otto Frank's life like? What does a flamingo eat? How does the Switch work?

Do it for yourself: 1. Choose a topic2. Find something about the topic that you DON'T know3. Ask a question that will lead to an answer for step 24. Spot check multiple sources to ensure you will be able to find an answer5. Celebrate! You have a research question. Now you get to find the answer!

Insert Your Own Topic into One of the Following Research Questions:

How did (a specific person) survive the Holocaust? Investigate the life of a Holocaust survivor from before, during, and after World War II.

Option 1:

What role did the spy (specific name) play in World War II? Choose a spy from WWII and investigate their skills, who they spied on and for, and how their act of rebellion served the country for which they were working.

Option 2:

MORE

Back to Topics

Insert Your Own Topic into One of the Following Research Questions:

Option 3:

How does (my favorite video game) work? Investigate either the game creation or console manufacturing for your favorite way of gaming by looking into the processes, programs and materials used, and expertise needed.

Option 4:

What steps need to be taken to become (my future dream job)? Investigate the schooling, experience, and skills needed to achieve your dreams!

What is the habitat of (my favorite animal)? Investigate the climate, food sources, and survival traits of your favorite animal.

Option 5:

Back to Topics

Research

Performing Research

• Start with PowerLibrary and SORA (Click for directions)

• When using Google, check for the reliability of sources.
• Remain on topic. Don't get distracted!

Storing and Utilizing Research

• Utilize a template to keep your sources and notes together
• Create a separate document and store your sources and notes in one place.
• Set up a bookmark folder to store all of your sources.

Thesis Statement

What and Why?

• A thesis statement is a single sentence that summarizes the main points of a research paper, in order, based on examples and evidence.

• This allows your reader to have an expected structure for what they will read. Remember that research is expository writing, so it needs to flow in a logical sense for the reader to understand.

• The thesis statement is essentially the answer to your research question.

How and Help

• To create your thesis statement, you will first need to identify:
• Topic
• 3 Subtopics
• Your research question

• Still struggling? Try this Thesis Generator

Test your Knowledge

Outlining

Formatting

• Outlining helps to organize your facts and evidence BEFORE you begin writing.
• If you are using Microsoft Word, you can use the outlining feature. You should organize an outline as follows:

Paragraph 1: Subtopic 1Detail/Evidence 1Specific example within detailDetail/Evidence 2Paragraph 2: Subtopic 2

Include enough detail in your outline (from your notes) to be able to write complete sentences and paragraphs in the next phase of your writing. Ex: (Research question: What is the effect of social media on teens?) Paragraph 1: AddictionDetail/Evidence 1: Factors that make teens more susceptible Detail/Evidence 2: ConsequencesParagraph 2: Added Stress

Need more information? Click here:

Outlining Support

Still not sure about outlining? Try this:

1. Open the link.
2. Under "What is the topic..." type in your research question
3. Under "Important points to include..." type your three subtopics
4. Change writing tone to "Simplified"
5. Click "Generate Outline"
6. Does the outline meet your needs? See the graphic on the right.

Great! Copy and paste it.

YES

NO

Does the outline meet your needs?

Try revising your research question.

Can you edit the outline to make it work?

NO

Writing an Introduction

3 parts of an introduction:

1. Hook
1. Gain the reader's attention
2. Vital Background information
1. Tell information the reader MUST HAVE before they begin reading your first body paragraph
3. Thesis Statement

Example: Imagine if the color of your food altered the color of your appearance. A carrot turns you orange; a s'more has a calico effect. A specific pink bird known for its pink-hued feathers and quirky way of standing, has a unique set of needs for survival. The flamingo needs warmth, shrimp or other small planktonian-like prey, and adaptations to survive.

Writing Body Paragraphs

Click on highlighted terms for an explanation of expectiations

Utilize Your Outline

• Your body paragraphs should be written using the organizational structure you have already developed.
• For example: your Subtopic #1 and Details/Evidence #1 should be your first body paragraph.
• All new information should come in the body paragraphs. (The introduction is a short overview and the conclusion is a summary.)
• All quoted materials should be placed in the body paragraphs.

Conventions

• Use complete sentences .

• Check your spelling and grammar.
• Use a thesaurus to improve your word choice.
• Paragraphs should be 4-6 sentences long and utilize transitions.
• In-Text Citations

Writing Body Paragraphs: In-Text Citations

Click on highlighted terms for an explanation of expectiations

In-Text Citations

• Use quotation marks and in-text citations when you use the same exact words as a source.
• Use an in-text citation when you use an idea, even if it's reworded (paraphrased), that came from a source
• Any source you cite within the text should be a part of the Works Cite page at the end. This page will provide complete details should someone want to read your source.

Writing a Conclusion

3 Parts to a Conclusion:

1. Reword your thesis as a general summary of your information
2. State the most important "take-aways" or arguments of your paper
3. End with a "mic drop" or something you want your reader to take away from your writing. (Ex: a call to action or reflection)

(Essentially, you will flip your introduction upside down)

Example: The warm, tropical environment in their native habitats, krill and other small organisms that they feed on, and unique adaptations help the flamingo survive in the wild. In some cases, humans will aid them, but in others, the flamingos adapt to changes on their own. Perhaps there are lessons that mankind can learn from these unique birds.

Works Cited

Plagiarism

In general, a Works Cited entry will utilize the following format: Authors Last Name, First Name. “Title of the Article in Quotation Marks.” Title of the Publication or Organization in Italics. Date the article was written. www.website.com/article Accessed on: date you read the .article.You can use MyBib, Scribber, or other MLA citation generators; just be sure to double check the accuracy against the format above.

• MLA: Modern Language Association - used in English and Humanity research and writing
• Using a consistent format is necessary to ensure that your information is presented accurately and in an easy-to-understand way.
• A Works Cited page is a list of the cited (or referenced, even if it's never quoted) sources you use within your work, or writing.

Plagiarism

The internet is a tool for our learning, not a source to copy and paste from.

• Everything that is written online already has an author that is not you. Trying to use another author's work is lying.

When you use an online tool to guide your thinking, writing, or creation of an idea, cite the tool to give credit.

• Press the yellow finger to self-check for plagiarism.

What is plagiarism?

• Plagiarism is the act of intentionally using the work of another person and claiming it as your own.

Why does it matter?

• When you plagiarize, you not only steal from another author, you cheat yourself out of learning.

Back to citations

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Examples, Files, and Links

When you press to view most examples, a document will download. Open the document(s) to view/edit them. You may need to right-click and save PDFs.

Graphic ORganizer

Create an outline

WORD Template

creating a Citation

ORganizer EXAMPLE

Classkick

Clever

Planners and Checklists

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Technology Help

Making Folders

Opening Word

Navigating Edio

Navigating Genially

Saving Documents

MLA Format in Word

Bookmark Websites

Uploading Documents

Tools in Word

Copy and Paste

Using a Template

Citation Help

12

Timeline of Submissions

2.4.9 December 14th

2.5.3 December 20th

2.4.5December 8th

2.4.6 December 11th

Body Paragraphs Due

Conclusion, Works Cited & Final Draft

Introduction Paragraph Due

Topic & Outline

In-text citations are (parenthesis) at the end of the "quote", paraphrase, or reference to a source before the end punctuation of the sentence. Within the parenthesis, write the first word of the citation (author's last name) and the page number, if you have a print source. If you only have web sources, the first word of the citation is sufficient.Example: According to the text "Stud­ies have found a con­nec­tion between social media cyber­bul­ly­ing and depres­sion among young people." (acef.com)

Even when paraphrasing, it's important to note your sources. Example: Teen girls are especially vulnerable to the effects of social media (Lyons).