Independent Research Paper for Seniors

How to organize your paper.

Remember…

your paper answers your

This answer will have:

• AN INTRODUCTION

• AS MANY BODY PARAGRAPHS AS NECESSARY (min 3)

• A CONCLUSION

How do I know what information to include in the answer?

Read your notes – divide up the information you have into sub-headings or points that

together will answer your question.

Point A Point C Point EPoint DPoint B

Answer to Research Question

+ + + +

=

Here’s an example…

My topic is Chicken Farming.

My research question:

“How practical is the wide-scale production of Low Cholesterol eggs?”

When I look at my notes, I can see several points that answer my research question.

How practical is the wide-scale production of low cholesterol eggs?

Effect on the Health of Hens

The cost of producing LC eggs

Sales problems because of protests

against GM food sales

How and why LC eggsWere first produced

Shelf life of LCEggs

Effect on cholesterol levels

in humans

ANSWER

When you are satisfied with your list of points…

• Put them in a logical order.

• Pull out any background information and save it for the introduction.

How practical is the wide-spread production of low cholesterol eggs?

• Explain how and why LC eggs were first produced

• The cost of producing LC eggs

• The short shelf life of LC Eggs

• Sales problems because of protests against GM food sales

• Effect on cholesterol levels in humans

• Effect on the health of hens

• Each point will become a body paragraph.

• Check which sources you can use for each point.

• Now I have…

Outline for Research PaperHow practical is the wide–spread production of

low cholesterol eggs?

• Introduction: Explain how and why LC eggs were first produced

………………..

• Body Paragraph #1: The cost of producing LC eggs ………………

• Body Paragraph #2: Shelf life of LC Eggs …….

• Body Paragraph #3: Sales problems because of protests against GM food

sales…• Body Paragraph #4: Effect on cholesterol

levels in humans ……..• Body Paragraph #5: Effect on health of hens..

SOURCES

(#10)

(#1,#3)(#5)

(#1, #6)

(# 2, #3, #4)(#7, #8)

OOPS!

Paragraph #3 is a disaster – only one source!

So, either add it into another paragraph or cut it out altogether.

And don’t forget you’ll need a conclusion.

Final Outline for Research PaperHow practical is the wide–spread production of

low cholesterol eggs?

• Intro: How and why LC eggs were first produced ….

• BP#1: The cost of producing LC eggs …………………

• BP#2: Sales problems because of protests against GM food sales

……………………………………..

• BP#3: The effect on cholesterol levels in humans ….

• BP#4: The effect on the health of hens ………………..

• Conclusion: After weighing up the evidence, it is clear that …

SOURCES

(#10)

(#1,#3)

(#1, #6)

(# 2, #3, #4)

(#7, #8)

YOUR TURN

Looking at your notes, brainstorm how you can effectively organize your paper.

Work out which sources you can use in which paragraph.

What next?

1. Draft body paragraph #1 (leave the introduction paragraph until later)

2. Type body paragraph #1 (during class time)

3. Draft body paragraph #2

4. Type body paragraph #2, etc, etc …

So what goes into a body paragraph?

A strong, clear, topic sentence

At least one paraphrased example from your sources

At least one direct quotation from your sources

At least one statistical reference from your sources

Information from at least 2 sources

and your interviewee

At least one example/quotation from your interviewee

Conclusions you can make from the information in this paragraph.

A strong concluding sentence.

And don’t forget you need lots of…

Example: At present there is disagreement amongst scientists about

health problems that LCE producing hens face due to their diet, the conditions they are kept in and the early age at which they begin to lay eggs. (topic sentence) … Recently, research has uncovered problems with the feed given to hens on LC chicken farms. In his book, Go to Work on an Egg John Easter explains the damaging effects of feed that is “low in calcium and vitamin A”. This can lead to poor bone development and thinner egg shells (59). Naturally farmers are concerned about the health of poorly fed hens and the effect this will have on egg production and sales.

And how long should the finished paper be?

As long as necessary…

Probably about 8 -10 pages, typed, double spaced.

Do I have to use all my sources?

• No, but you should use at least 8 different sources throughout your paper as well as your interview.

• The important thing is to give differing opinions … all sides to the story.

TAKE PRIDE IN YOUR WORK

AND DO THE BEST YOU CAN

GOOD LUCK!