Big 6 Information Skills Featured in this Lesson
3. Location and Access
3.1 Locate sources (intellectually and physically)
3.2 Find information within resources
Students will locate academic websites and use online databases
4. Use of Information
4.1 Engage (e.g. read, hear view) the information within a source
4.2 Extract relevant information from a source
Students will review their research and receive instruction in the Noodletools Citation System
Library Resources
Student Resources in Context
Literature Resource Center
Bloom's Literary Reference Online
Twayne's Authors Series
Online Catalog
Academic Integrity
Home Access Passwords are Available in the Information Center
The I-Search PaperNotes based on The I Search Paper (1988) by Ken Macrorie
Q. What is a traditional term paper/ research paper (at its worst)?
A. An exercise in badly done bibliography
B. An introduction into the art of plagiarism
C. Alien to its writer.
D. A triumph in meaninglessness
E. All of the above
The I-Search Paper directly involves you, the writer, into both process (searching for info) and product (the writing about that search). It challenges the concept that research is the searching again for information already documented. If you have never searched for information on the topic before, there is little re about it. You will connect to the topic in a unique way that cannot be ignored.
The paper will have five components:
1. My Question (and why I decided to research this question) “I” format
2. My Search Process (the story of the hunt) “I” format
3. What I Have Learned (connect findings to the original question) NOT “I” format
4. What This Means To Me (how has researching this question changed you) “I” format
5. Works Cited Page (all references in alphabetical order)
6. Oral Presentation ( speech, skit, poster, video, or some other exhibition of knowledge to be presented to the class) January 2009
Examination of the six components:
1.My Question: You may research a question of interest to you. All topics must be approved by Mrs. Gandt. Some sample topics are: Greek drama/tragedy, Greek theaters, civil disobedience, concept of the Greek hero, migrant workers in California in 1930’s, agriculture in California in the 1930’s, Dust Bowl, book banning in the United States, book burning in history, family and gender roles in the early 1900’s. I suggest you select a topic of personal interest. Explain where your question originated, what you think you know about this topic and what you want to learn. CAVEAT: must have at least one graphic component. “I”(first person) format
2. My Search Process: Keep a journal of your search and this section will be easier to write. You are encouraged to use a variety of resources. Keep note cards on Noodle Tools. Some that I suggest you consider are:
o Google Images
read books magazines, newspapers, or reference texts
watch videos or television shows
use database reference tools
interview people or conduct surveys
go on a personal field trip
Then you will describe the sequence of steps in your research. You may also discuss if your question changed as you researched. “I” format
3. What I Have Learned: In this section you will focus on three of four major findings or conclusions and support them with examples, stories, or arguments that will help the reader understand how you arrived at these conclusions. You will also connect your findings to the original question. You should include any analysis you did (cause and effect, pro/con, compare and contrast, or sequencing). At least two (2) references to the graphic and three (3) quotations with parenthetical notations must be included. Typical research paper section. This section is NOT IN “I” FORMAT.
4. What This Means to Me: You will answer the question: what do you now know about searching for information that you didn’t know before? To answer this you must describe the findings that meant the most to you. You may also want to discuss how this new knowledge will affect the way you will act and think in the future. You may also want to write about the skills you developed as a researcher and a writer. “I” format
5. Works Cited: This is an alphabetical listing of all the sources you found, good and bad, using the MLA format. The library will instruct you in Noodle Tools. Keep an up-to-date journal of all sources as you use them; they are very difficult to rediscover for vital info. References must include two databases and websites, if applicable. Do not list search engines (Google).
6. Oral Presentation: We will discuss this as a class. You may choose a speech format, an original skit, original video, original poem or some other exhibition of knowledge to the class. Do not be concerned with this at the start; an idea will come to you. All ideas do need my seal of approval, but I do endorse creativity.
No PowerPoint. January 2011.
Actual paper:
must be typed (and original saved for portfolio purposes)
12 point
Times New Roman
black ink for text
illustrations do not count as pages of text
do not plagiarize or just ‘cut and paste’
illustrations and titles may appropriately be in color
must include:
• title page with appropriate title (not I-Search paper), your name, date, period and English 10R, Mrs. Gandt and optional graphic
• My Question pages ( about 1 ½ typed)
• My Search Process pages ( about 1 ½ typed)
• What I Have Learned pages (3-5 typed)
• What This Means To Me pages (about 1 ½ typed)
• Works Cited page listing sources precisely according to MLA Advanced format (use Noodle Tools only)
Dates are tentative. Gandt/English 10R
Nov. 15 LibraryNov. 16 Guidance Visit
Nov 17 Libraary
Nov 18 video
Nov 19 video
Nov 22 Library; My Question Due
Nov 23 Library
Nov 25 Thanksgiving
Nov. 29 Vocab 5
Nov 30 Antigone-My Search Process Due
Dec 2 Vocab Test
Dec 6 Library W Cite
Dec 7 What I Have Learned Due
Dec 8 Work Cited Due
Dec 9 What This Means To Me Due
Dec 13 I Search Due; Vocab 6
Dec 16 Vovab Test
Dec 17 Antigone Critical Lense
Dec 21 Antigone Test
• Rough drafts of I-Search Paper due on above dates
• Antigone will be read in class, but it is also is available on line at http://www.krucli.com/Antigone%20text.htm
• Bring notebook daily for journal entries.
• Antigone: pop quizzes, act tests, final test and critical lens essay
Oral presentations in January 2011!
Works Cited
"Business Coalition for Climate Action Doubles." Environmental Defense. 8 May 2007. Environmental Defense Organization. 24 May 2007
Clinton, Bill. Interview. New York Times on the Web. May 2007. 25 May 2007
Dean, Cornelia. "Executive on a Mission: Saving the Planet." New York Times on the Web 22 May 2007. 25 May 2007
