Research Paper

Primary and Secondary Sources

Sources are generally broken down into two types: primary and secondary.

• Primary Sources- need one• Primary sources provide first hand accounts of events by persons who were involved directly

or as witnesses. (i.e. a novel written by the author, a film created by the director)

• The use of at least one primary source is required for this project.

• Secondary Sources- need two• Books or articles that comment or interpret primary sources.

• Usually the fastest and easiest way to gain basic knowledge of the topic.

• Contain bibliographies that can direct you to other primary and secondary materials.

• A research project should never be based on secondary sources alone.

Collecting Sources

• Perhaps the most important aspects of your research paper are collecting source materials and developing your sources page. These sources are used to gain background knowledge about your subject as well as support your thesis statement; this document provides the reader a list of sources utilized in the paper. As you collect materials you must be very careful to keep track of vital information related to each source. To keep track of this information you will create source cards. Follow the following steps to begin your bibliography cards.

Citation Cards

• Prepare one bibliography entry for each source.

• Each source should be identified with its own unique information and tags.

• Sources should be cited in MLA format.

• For help with MLA formatting go to:• Citationmachine.net

• Owl at Purdue

About Source Distinction

• It is really important that you understand the importance of knowing where you are getting information for your project.

• Citing sources is a requirement of any scholarly work, and the penalties for improper citing can be serious.

• Keeping track of your sources and of what you’ve learned from each source is made far easier with citation cards.

Effective Note Taking/Note Cards

• Using note cards to gather information on your topic is the most important step in the research process.

• Because you are required to organize your sources’ ideas and cite all works you refer to in your paper, proper formatting and accurate documentation are a must.

Effective Note Taking• Keep your topic, thesis statement and audience in mind at all times. Do not take

notes on information that does not relate to your topic.

• Write as you read.• This is an interactive process, so record anything you feel is relevant to your topic.

• You will be able to remove notes at a later time as you begin to narrow your focus.

• Put ideas and information into your own words, in the form of summaries. • The best way to accomplish this is to read a passage, close or put the source away, think about

what you have read and summarize it.

• Be accurate. Make sure to copy a direct quotation word for word with capitalization, spelling, and punctuation as precisely as the original. Be sure that every quotation begins and ends with quotation marks.

• Double check references. Make sure when you create a new note card, you’ve selected it from the proper source so it is properly tagged.

• DO NOT REPEAT INFORMATION.

Why do I need to gather quotations or paraphrase information?

• To lend credibility or authority to your writing. Since you are not an expert on your topic, you must consult those who know much more about it than you.

Caution: Don’t do more harm than good by citing poor sources.

Using Citations

If…The information is common knowledge. (George Washington is the first president of the U.S., Independence day is July 4th, 1776)

The words are your own AND the idea is your own.

The words are someone else’s (Direct quote)

The words are your own BUT the idea is someone else’s (Paraphrased)

Statistics are used (Salaries, Death counts in battle)

Then…

You do NOT need a citation

You do NOT need a citation

Place the words in quotation marks AND include a citation

Include a citation OR refer to the author of the idea in the text AND include a citation.

Include a citation.

ParaphrasingA paraphrase is...

• Your own rendition of essential information and ideas expressed by someone else presented in a new form.

• One legitimate way (when accompanied by accurate citation) to borrow from a source.

• A more detailed restatement than a summary, which focuses on a single main idea.

Paraphrasing is a valuable skill because...

• It is better than quoting information from random passages.

• It helps you control the temptation to quote too much.

• The mental process required for successful paraphrasing helps you to grasp the full meaning of the original.

1. Reread the original passage until you understand its full meaning.

2. Set the original aside, and write your paraphrased version on a note card.

3. Jot down a few words below your paraphrase to remind you later how you envision using this material. At the top of the note card, write a key word or phrase to indicate the subject of your paraphrase.

4. Check your version with the original to make sure that yours accurately expresses all the essential information in a new form.

5. Use quotation marks to identify any unique term or phraseology you have borrowed exactly from the source.

6. Record the source (including the page) on your note card so that you can credit it easily if you decide to incorporate the material into your paper.

6 Steps to Effective Paraphrasing

If you do not cite information that is not your original idea or thought,

you are committing plagiarism!

Thesis Statement

The thesis statement is the backbone of the research paper. The thesis is a one sentence statement that presents your conclusions about your topic based on research. The thesis statement takes time and research to develop and cannot be made up without solid support to back it up. You may not discover your final thesis statement until you have completed most of your research and in most cases, your thesis will change several times as you work. It is important to remember that you are NOT writing a report, you are creating an argument about your person’s influence/importance.

What exactly is a Thesis?

A thesis is NOT• A description of your paper

topic.

• A question.

• A statement of fact.

• A statement of opinion.

A thesis• Is developed from research

questions posed during your reading.

• Is an arguable point. (It is your job to provide evidence to support your argument)

• Is the conclusion of all your research.

Which one is the best thesis?Statement Is this an effective

thesis?

“This paper is about the life of Sacajawea”

“Why was Sacajawea so important to the Lewis and Clark Expedition?”

“I think that Sacajawea was important to the Lewis and Clark Expedition.”

“The purpose of the this paper is to discuss the importance of Sacajawea to the Lewis and Clark Expedition.”

“Sacajawea was critical to the success of the Lewis and Clark Expedition because of her knowledge of languages, geography, and natural remedies.”

YES

NO

NO

NO

NO

Use the following formula to help you develop your thesis statement:

THESIS = Topic + Your Position/Argument + 2-3 Main Points (Supporting examples)

• Sacajawea was critical to the success of the Lewis and Clark Expedition because of her knowledge of languages, geography, and natural remedies.

General Writing Guidelines

Write in the third person…• Avoid using the first person (I, me, we, us).

• Instead of writing: I think that Friar Lawrence treats Romeo with great kindness

• Write: Friar Lawrence treats Romeo with great kindness…and then support your statement with evidence.

• Instead of writing: It seems to me that Benvolio is prejudiced.

• Write: Benvolio appears to be prejudiced….followed by evidence to support this statement.

• Avoid using the second person (you).• Instead of writing: Shakespeare expects you to sympathize with

Juliet.

• Write: Shakespeare expects the reader to sympathize with Juliet, or, Shakespeare treats Juliet with sympathy.

B. Make no references to your own essay. • Do not say: This essay is about… or, The next paragraph will

explain… or, The next piece of evidence to support the thesis is… or, In the next quote Miss Hicks tells Homer to respect everyone.

• Instead of telling the reader what you are going to discuss, just go ahead and discuss it.

C. Use Standard English only. Do not use slang. Formal.

D. Avoid contractions. For example, write, has not rather than hasn’t; write is not rather than isn’t.

E. When you write about literature, use the present tense. Do not use the past tense, and avoid the present progressive.

• Past: Homer Macauley learned many valuable lessons.• Present progressive: Homer Macauley is learning

many valuable lessons.• Simple present: Homer Macauley learns many

valuable lessons.

• Past: Saroyan portrayed Homer with compassion.• Present progressive: Saroyan is portraying Homer

with compassion.• Simple present: Saroyan portrays Homer with

compassion.

Organizing the Structure of

Your Paper

A. The Introduction

• The introduction is the first one or two paragraphs of your paper; it provides an overview of the information presented in your paper and contains your thesis.

• Begin your introduction with a hook which captures the reader’s attention and curiosity. Be sure to tie your grabber in to the rest of the introduction.

• Do not use a separate page for your Introduction.

• The main body of the paper will contain paragraphs explaining the key points you wish to make about your subject.

• Make sure everything in a paragraph relates to the same key point (TOPIC SENTENCE).

• All of these paragraphs should relate to your thesis statement.

• All information should re-enforce your argument/thesis.

• Get rid of all information that does not help to explain the subject of the paper.

• Use logical organization; do not jump around. Paragraphs dealing with similar information should be grouped together.

B. Main Body of the Paper

• First, restate the main point or points you have

made.

• State any conclusions you have reached.

• The conclusion should be approximately one

paragraph in length.

C. Conclusion