This document outlines the parts and process for a 6th grade research paper on a historical, mathematical, or scientific event. It includes an introduction, outline, paper, works cited page, and optional presentation. Students are instructed to brainstorm topics, get approval on their top choices, find sources, create an outline and note cards, write a draft, add citations, edit the paper, and optionally include pictures in their presentation. The goal is for students to research and present an important event to the class in 3 to 5 minutes.

1. Name: ___________________________
6th Grade Research Paper
Parts: Materials Needed:
Title Page 4 x 6 index cards
Outline 2-pocket folder (for all Research
Paper materials)
Works Cited Page Flash Drive (if you don’t already
Pictures (Optional) have one)
Presentation Pencils/Editing Pen
Topic: Historical, Mathematical, or Scientific Event
Choosing a Topic
1. Brainstorm
2. Have your parents sign off (or initial) that they approve of your top 3 choices
3. Have Mrs. Weber approve your top 3 choices
4. Verify that you can find 2 sources for your topic: one book and one (reliable) website
(*Note: If you can’t find enough information on one topic, move to your next topic. Some
topics may be too broad and need to be narrowed down.)
5. Choose your final topic—give Mrs. Weber your final choice
Creating an Outline
1. Look through your sources: What is most important about your event? What
information do you need to include to properly explain and present your event?
2. Suggested Details:
Dates
Places
People Involved
What happened?
Why is this event an important?
Start Researching
1. Create Source Cards
2. How Do I Take Notes?
Setting up your note cards
Use your outline!
Use your sources and summarize (bullet points only!)
Turning Your Research into a Paper

2. Name: ___________________________
1. Organize your note cards so they match your outline
2. Writing an Introduction
3. Each new idea should be a separate paragraph
4. Each paragraph needs a topic sentence
5. Think about transitions between sentences and paragraphs
6. Writing a Conclusion
*Note:
Handwritten Draft—Skip Lines & Neat Handwriting 
Typed Draft—Google docs (share with Mrs. Weber: emily.weber86@gmail.com)
Final Draft—Google docs & Download to Microsoft Word
Works Cited Page
1. www.bibme.org
2. Download to Word
Citing Your Sources
ANY idea, opinion, or piece of research that isn’t common knowledge must be cited!
Editing and Revising
Self
Peer
Mrs. Weber
Parent (or adult)
Typing & Formatting Guidelines
Size 12 Font
Times New Roman
Double Spaced (except Title Page, Outline and Works Cited Page)
Pictures (OPTIONAL)
Maps
Pictures
MUST CITE SOURCES!
Presentation
Present your event to the class
3-5 minutes
Choose the most important information about your event to share to the class
(People Involved, Places, Dates, Why is this event important?)
Presentation may take any form (Visual aides are helpful!)