It's time now that I remind you of the "big picture" -- that is, the process as a whole and how each small assignment contributes to the final product. This what you've done so far, if you're on track:
PHASE ONE
(1) First, we read and discussed the book together. No shortcuts.
(2) Second, you picked a topic from a long list of choices. Own it. Commit to it.
(3) Third, you skimmmed the book for details related to your topic.
(4) You took notes and cited page numbers, organizing into sub-topics.
(5) You created a formal outline of your paper, including citations.
(6) Finally, you are writing a draft of Paper #1.
Next, this weekend, you will write the final draft to complete Phase One.
Please keep the following in mind:
* A strong THESIS is necessary for a strong paper.
* Introduce the entire paper, not just the first body paragraph.
* Connect your sub-topics to the thesis.
* Keep each paragraph focused on ONE idea. Again, keep your thesis in mind.
* Use specific details from the text to support your ideas.
* Cite all details and examples.
* Introduce all quotes with lead-ins: phrase plus quote, or statement plus colon.
* Use topic/transitional sentences to begin and end your paragraphs.
* The conclusion should bring the paper to a graceful close, not an abrupt stop.
PHASE TWO
(1) We will learn to find secondary sources (including a trip to the library)
(2) We will search for sources in class, at home, and at the library
(3) We will evaluate the sources you find for relevance and reliability
(4) We learn how to read and annotate sources as they apply to your topic.
(5) We will talk about creating citations for your secondary sources.
(6) You will provide an annotated bibliography of all the sources you plan to use.
PHASE THREE ~ I'll elaborate later on...
(1) First, I will return Paper #1 with comments.
(2) You will return to the book and revise Paper #1.
(3) By adding in the secondary sources -- which will have been organized by subtopic -- you will create Paper #2 (the big one).
So, as you can see, what you are doing now is the foundation of your research paper. By starting with the book, we've made sure your idea is original to you (i.e. not from the Internet), and having a clear focus is going to make research a lot easier.
Another analogy:
Think of this as building a house. You've laid the foundation, and with Paper #1 you've put up the frame. But the house isn't finished. You need to put up the plasterboard, to lay the floors, to install the plumbing, to run the wiring, etc. All of this (Paper #2) requires research and hard work. In the final revision, you'll paint and finish all of the fine tuning. It all starts with a solid foundation.
PHASE ONE
(1) First, we read and discussed the book together. No shortcuts.
(2) Second, you picked a topic from a long list of choices. Own it. Commit to it.
(3) Third, you skimmmed the book for details related to your topic.
(4) You took notes and cited page numbers, organizing into sub-topics.
(5) You created a formal outline of your paper, including citations.
(6) Finally, you are writing a draft of Paper #1.
Next, this weekend, you will write the final draft to complete Phase One.
Please keep the following in mind:
* A strong THESIS is necessary for a strong paper.
* Introduce the entire paper, not just the first body paragraph.
* Connect your sub-topics to the thesis.
* Keep each paragraph focused on ONE idea. Again, keep your thesis in mind.
* Use specific details from the text to support your ideas.
* Cite all details and examples.
* Introduce all quotes with lead-ins: phrase plus quote, or statement plus colon.
* Use topic/transitional sentences to begin and end your paragraphs.
* The conclusion should bring the paper to a graceful close, not an abrupt stop.
PHASE TWO
(1) We will learn to find secondary sources (including a trip to the library)
(2) We will search for sources in class, at home, and at the library
(3) We will evaluate the sources you find for relevance and reliability
(4) We learn how to read and annotate sources as they apply to your topic.
(5) We will talk about creating citations for your secondary sources.
(6) You will provide an annotated bibliography of all the sources you plan to use.
PHASE THREE ~ I'll elaborate later on...
(1) First, I will return Paper #1 with comments.
(2) You will return to the book and revise Paper #1.
(3) By adding in the secondary sources -- which will have been organized by subtopic -- you will create Paper #2 (the big one).
So, as you can see, what you are doing now is the foundation of your research paper. By starting with the book, we've made sure your idea is original to you (i.e. not from the Internet), and having a clear focus is going to make research a lot easier.
Another analogy:
Think of this as building a house. You've laid the foundation, and with Paper #1 you've put up the frame. But the house isn't finished. You need to put up the plasterboard, to lay the floors, to install the plumbing, to run the wiring, etc. All of this (Paper #2) requires research and hard work. In the final revision, you'll paint and finish all of the fine tuning. It all starts with a solid foundation.