 |
|
||||||
Process {writing}
Choose one of the following questions to research. Find six or more sources on the issue you choose. You must have at least two book sources and 3 articles from online databases. Your last source may be from any reliable source. (If you use an Internet source, you must evaluate the site using the Quick Check List and hand in the completed Quick Check List sheet with your paper. ) To find the Required Resources, click on the Teacher Pages button above and then click on Resources. After completing your research, write a 2500 word paper persuading others to agree with your viewpoint.
1. Should the death penalty be abolished? 2. Should environmentalist concerns for wildlife outweigh the concern for people’s jobs? 3. Should students wear uniforms? 4. Should stem cell research be advocated? 5. Does the welfare system perpetuate poverty? 6. Are cyber schools a good alternative for students? 7. Should alternative medicine be covered by insurance? 8. Is violence on TV harmful to children or to adults? 9. Should there be more than two main political parties? 10. Should the government continue with plans to log the Sequoia forests? 11. Should the government require all food production to be organic? 12. Should students be allowed to listen to I-pods during the school day?
Planning for the Research A research project involving issues requires much more than gathering facts and collecting data. Since you will be examining both sides of a controversial issue, you must be selective in choosing sources and will need to make decisions about which sources to use. You want to make sure you are unbiased, that you haven’t already made up your mind, and that the sources you choose will present a balanced survey of viewpoints. After the information has been gathered, you will need to analyze your research to make a decision, or come to a conclusion, about which side of the issue you support or that you feel your research shows is most valid. (Schrecengost, 7)
For more information on how to do research, click on this tutorial link for THE HEALEY LIBRARY.
Print this T-Chart or draw one in your notebook. As you read the information, briefly list points for and against the proposition under YES and NO headings. The points need not be in complete sentences. On a separate sheet of paper summarize and evaluate the information you found. Using the OPAC When using the OPAC, sometimes words or phrases will not be recognized by the electronic catalog such as “book banning.” Think of another synonym such as “censorship.” Several titles for books dealing with censorship would come up. When you do your subject search, don’t give up too soon! Be sure to search using the references to related subject headings as well as your main topic subject. When finding a book, video, or CD in the catalog, it will have a call number assigned to it. The call number is like the material’s library address. The top number tells the classification of the book, grouping materials on the same subject together in one place. The number on the bottom tells where to find the book on the shelf. For instance, REF 367 is in the Reference section numerically at 367. The non-fiction books are an exception. Using Databases Go to the Resources page an click on the databases to access them. You may need to use many resources in both the required section and the additional section to properly complete the assignment. Making a Bibliography MLA Style A bibliography or reference page is a collection of all the materials you’ve used for your paper. It not only documents your research, it provides a list of sources for the reader who may want to do additional research on your topic. Because it is a collection of a variety of kinds of sources, there are different ways of recording the bibliographical information for each kind listed. The bibliography or reference page is an important part of your research. It provides evidence that you did do a thorough investigation of your topic, gives credit to the writers who provided you with needed information, and it gives your reader a list of resources if he or she wants to do additional research. (Schrecengost, 32-34) Print out the Source Chart and use it to keep a list of your sources. Click on the MLA link in the Resources section of the WebQuest or on the main Library page for more information.
Your ticket out the door, after you hand in your paper, will be to write a reflection on what you experienced during the research process. Include the part you are most proud of accomplishing and what you could do differently the next time. This activity should take three weeks to complete. 4 days should be spent doing research, 4 days should be spent taking notes, 6 days should be spent writing the paper and 1 day should be used to word process. Ask your librarian for assistance as you do your research. Variations This WebQuest can be done with any topic. It can be done as a single disciplinary, interdisciplinary, or multidisciplinary unit. Students doing Sr. Projects can use parts of the WebQuest for guidance in doing research.
Last Modified on 8/28/2007 11:03:08 AM |
|
|||||||
| Copyright ©2002-2008 Schoolwires, Inc. All rights reserved. | ||