8th Grade Research Project

Writing and Presenting My

ELA 8 - Unit 2 Writing Project

Research Paper

Submission Timeline

Project Overview

12

11

10

Tips & Tricks

Examples & Files

Technology Help

Works Cited

Body Paragraphs

Conclusion

Introduction

Thesis

Outline

Research

Choosing a Topic

INDEX

2.7.1 Dec. 1

Body paragraphs

2.5.1 Dec. 1

2.4.2 Nov 30

2.3.5 Nov. 29

2.3.2Nov. 21

Research Question & First 2 Sources

Thesis

2.3.4 Nov. 22

Timeline of Submissions

Final source(s) & Outline

Works Cited & Complete Final Project

Introduction & Conclusion

Choosing Your Topic Researching Outlining Writing Citing

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:​

Project Overview

Choosing a topic

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!

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?

Creating a Research Question

Independent

While I know I will still need support from my teacher, I am confident in my abilities to start this project from scratch in a Word Doc, use resources from my teacher, and write notes and ideas in my own words.

Mostly on My Own

I still plan to attend classes through this project and know that I will need some support with either the research steps, use of resources, or elements of the writing process from my teacher.

Some Support

I will be attending classes and requesting additional meetings with my teacher as needed. I would like to have a list of topics to choose from with extra support in finding reliable sources and crafting the writing presentation.

Project Options: Choose Your Comfort Level

Back to Topics

MORE

Option 2:

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 1:

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.

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 5:

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

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

Option 4:

Back to Topics

Option 3:

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

Performing Research

• PowerLibrary via Clever
• Remain on topic; don't fall down rabbit holes
• Check for reliability of sources. Hints for reliability:

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.

Research

How and Help

• Overview here:
• Thesis Generator

• If you're researching a Holocaust survivor, you may use the following guide: (Survivor's name) showed/was (adjective) in his/her/their life before, during, and after the Holocaust.

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.

Thesis Statement

Test your Knowledge

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 a flamingo's habitat?) Flamingo home climateTropical Warmth needed if in captivitymany Zoos have warm houses for flamingosFlamingo diet

Formatting

• Organize your facts and evidence
• If you are using Microsoft Word, you can use the outlining feature. You should organize an outline as follows:

Paragraph 1 TopicDetail 1Specific example within detailDetail 2Paragraph 2 Topic

Outlining

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.

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

Writing an Introduction

Click on highlighted terms for an explanation of expectiations

• 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.
• Organize the best order of events for the reader to understand the answer you will give to your research question
• Adjust your thesis and body paragraphs to match in order.

Utilize Your Outline

• Organize your information so that the basics are covered first; help your reader by being very clear
• 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
• Use complete sentences and transitions

Writing Body Paragraphs

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.

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)

Writing a Conclusion

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.

Works Cited

Back to citations

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.

Plagiarism

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 Org. 2 - condensed

Graphic ORg. 1 - Detailed

Template Doc

ORganizer Survivor

Paper example

Citation Guide

ORganizer Rebel

Slides example

Classkick

Clever

Tips and Tricks

PDF Guide

10

Examples and Files

Citation Help

Navigating Genially

Navigating Edio

Using a Template

Bookmark Websites

Opening Word

Tools in Word

Copy and Paste

MLA Format in Word

Uploading Documents

Saving Documents

11

Making Folders

Technology Help

Complete Sentences

Homophones

12

Hooks and Writing Support:

• Click through the resources below.

Video Sources:

• Use them! But look for a transcript if possible to ensure accuracy in your reporting
• TikTok is NOT a reliable source. If you know of an expert on TikTok, see if you can find other resources published by them.

Tips and Tricks

Hooks