Writing a Research Paper

A Guide
Brainstorm
Brainstorm topics you want to know more about. Once your list is complete,
eliminate topics until you have found the topic you want to research.

If a topic has already been given to you, think about what perspective on the topic
you would like to take.
Focus
Now that you have a topic, narrow it Example focus questions might begin with:
down to something on which you can Why …
write a complete essay. One way to do Who …
Where …
this is to use three to five focusing
When …
questions. These will become the main How did …
ideas of your essay’s body paragraphs. Why didn’t …
What caused …
What was the importance of ...
Research
Use a variety of sources to find out the answers to your questions. Take notes on
what you find. Make sure you write down where you got your information. You will
need it later on.

One good way to keep up with your research is to use a T-chart. On one side, write
down your source, and on the other write down your information. See the example
on the next slide.
Research

Topic: The Black Owl

Originally published by Prize Comics. First writer

Donald D. Markstein.
was Robert Turner. Art by Pete Riss.
“The Black Owl”
Toonopedia: A Vast Repository of Toonological “The Black Owl was Doug Danville, one of those rich
Knowledge. guys who put on costumes and fight crime so as to
Jan 13, 2022 give meaning to an otherwise pointless existence.”
https://toonopedia.com/blackowl.htm
“His super suit consisted of adding an owl mask to
his usual attire, a tuxedo. But he soon traded that in
for blue skin-tights, which made him fit in better with
the others.”
Research
When writing your source information, you’ll need all the relevant information so
that anyone could go back and check your source.
For websites you’ll need:
1. the author’s full name (note: if no author is given, you will skip this information)
2. the full title of the web page
3. the title of the web site
4. the date you accessed the site
5. the URL (web address)
Learn
Now that you have done your research, you actually need to understand what it is
you’ve found. To do this, follow your ABC’s:

A = Absorb the relevant information.

B = Beat it down into its essential parts.

C = Craft it into your own words.

When you put other people’s knowledge into your own words, it’s called
PARAPHRASING. This is usually better than directly quoting from the source
because it maintains your own voice and avoids awkward disruptions.
Learn
Example of paraphrasing:
Original
“His super suit consisted of adding an owl mask to his usual attire, a tuxedo. But he
soon traded that in for blue skin-tights, which made him fit in better with the
others.”

Paraphrase
The Black Owl originally wore a tuxedo with an owl mask, but he soon changed that
to blue skin-tights to look more like a typical superhero.
Write
Organize your information into essay form. Use your own thoughts and ideas to
bridge together the information you have learned. Remember to have an
introduction, a body, and a conclusion. The last sentence in your introduction should
be your thesis statement.

Be sure to cite your sources. If you do not cite your sources, you are guilty of
plagiarism.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptHIA5bMnio&t=6s&ab_channel=YSJAD
D
Write
There are many methods of citing sources. Many teachers and publications require
you to use a standardized system, like MLA or APA.
One method is the use of endnotes:
1. First, make a special page called References that includes the bibliographic
information for all the sources you paraphrased or referred to in your paper. (Note:
do not include sources that you did not actually paraphrase or refer to.)
2. Number each source.
3. After each sentence where you paraphrased or referred to the source, put the
number. (See next slide for an example)
Excerpt from the essay: Reference page (always at the end):

Every superhero has to have a costume, References

and the Black Owl was no different. The Owl

1. “Black Owl.” Wikipedia: the Free Enclyclopedia.
originally wore a tuxedo with an owl mask, but
Jan 12, 2022.
he soon changed that to blue skin-tights to
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Owl
look more like a typical superhero2. Later on,

his costume would evolve into a red and blue

2. Donald D. Markstein. “The Black Owl.”
pattern, but he always maintained his
Toonopedia: A Vast Repository of Toonological
1
distinctive owl mask . The costume is
Knowledge. Jan 13, 2022.
reminiscent of the original Batman costume, https://toonopedia.com/blackowl.htm

which some believe inspired the Black Owl’s1.

Write
Footnotes are usually written in superscript (printed above the line).

You can create superscript text in Google Doc using the menu system. To do this,
highlight the text that you want to convert to superscript. Select Format from the
menu. Select Text and then select Superscript.

Because you are not an expert in the field, your essay will probably have a lot of
endnotes. Some paragraphs may have an endnote after virtually every sentence.
Publish
Double-space the entire essay.

The heading should include your name, date, and period in the upper left hand corner

Your title should be capitalized and related to your topic, not the assignment (Right:“The
Black Owl: A Daring Crimefighter”; Wrong: “Research Paper”).

Indent all paragraphs; do not skip lines between paragraphs.

Only the title should be centered; everything else should be left justified.

Font should be Times New Roman or Arial, 10-12 point.

Print on one side of the paper only.

What is your topic?
Select a superhero from the list in the classroom. Research this superhero and
compile the information in an essay.
What are the special requirements for this paper?
● Make sure you understand that in a research report, you MUST cite your sources AND list those
sources at the end of your report.

● Make sure you understand the difference between paraphrasing, quoting, and plagiarism. DO NOT
PLAGIARIZE.

● The essay should be at least four paragraphs and between 350 and 500 words. It should follow all
rules for formatting an essay.

● You must use and cite at least two sources.

What are the special requirements for this paper?
● The essay should include the following information, but you may organize it in whatever
logical way you think is best:
The publication history (Where and when did the character first appear? Where has
the character appeared since then? Who created the character or is best known for
drawing/portraying him or her?)
The origin of the superhero. (How did the hero get his powers? What is the
character’s alter ego?)
The hero’s powers and abilities. (What makes this character a superhero?)
Other interesting facts about the hero.
In the conclusion, provide the reader with your personal thoughts about the superhero.
What are the special requirements for this paper?
English 1 students must include
What are the special requirements for this paper?
● You will publish two copies of the paper. One will be graded on your writing and the
other will be delivered as a speech to the class.

● Print or draw a color picture of the superhero to use as a visual aid in your speech.
A note about quotations
A direct quote is the original writer’s exact words; a paraphrase is the writer’s
ideas, but put into your words. Paraphrases are usually better than direct
quotations. Only use direct quotes when the author’s exact words make a stronger
impact on your reader than the ideas by themselves. If you do choose to use direct
quotes, keep in mind the following:

1. You will need a signal phrase to introduce the quote.

2. You will need to punctuate the quote correctly.

See the next slide for an example

A note about quotations
● Original source from William Shakespeare:

“Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind.”1

● Paraphrase:

When you love someone, you don’t see them with your eyes, but with your mind.1

● Direct Quote:

According to William Shakespeare, “Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind.”1

● Plagiarism:

I think love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind.
Modifications for English 1
● Must include at least one direct quotation in the research paper.
● 400-550 word requirement
● 5 paragraph requirement
● Must include an analysis paragraph where you discuss the possible reasons the
character was either successful or unsuccessful. Your analysis should be all your
own thoughts, but may include cited information as supporting evidence for
your analysis.