1. May 2014
Ms. Brannelly

2. Step 1: Define Your Task
Choose a subject, topic, and subtopic, then create an
essential question that you will answer with your
research paper and presentation.

3. Step 1: Define Your Task
 Example:
 If I chose Viruses as my subject, smallpox as my topic,
and biological weapons as my subtopic, my essential
question could be:
How could smallpox be used as a weapon and how
successful would it be?

4. Step 1: Define Your Task
 Create an essential question:
 Be sure your question is not too broad nor too narrow.
 Remember you will be writing 4-5 pages on this topic
as well as a 3-5 minute presentation.
 Also, make sure you will be able to answer your
question fully in your essay and presentation because
you will be graded based on how well you answer the
question.
 TIP – browse what books are available BEFORE
selecting your topic.

5. Step 2: Define Sources to Use
 2 books
 3 web references

6. Step 3: Locating and Accessing
Information
 Where can I find these sources?
 Benbrook Middle School Library (e-books too!!)
 Benbrook Public Library
 EBSCO – Science Reference Center
 www.benbrookmslib.weebly.com > STUDENTS tab
 http://www.crlsresearchguide.org/
 CREDIBLE Internet sites – when in doubt…ask first

7. Step 4: Use of Information
 View “Organizing Your Research” on Tutorials Page
 Decide how you will organize your information?
 Extract relevant information that answers your
question.
 View “Taking Notes Without Copying” on Tutorials
Page
 Don’t just copy – read and write
 Cite your sources as you go

8. Annotated Bibliography
 www.easybib.com
 View “Citing Your Sources” under the Tutorials tab.
 An annotated bibliography is a list of citations to
books, articles, and documents. Each citation is
followed by a brief descriptive and evaluative
paragraph - the annotation.
 The purpose of the annotation is to inform the reader
of the relevance, accuracy, and quality of the sources
cited.
 TIP – cite as you go…don’t wait!!!!!