This document provides guidance on completing a research paper and presentation. It outlines 4 steps: 1) Define the task by choosing a subject, topic, subtopic, and essential question; 2) Define sources to use, including 2 books and 3 web references; 3) Locate and access information from sources like the school and public libraries as well as specific databases and websites; 4) Use the information by organizing it, taking relevant notes without copying, and citing sources as work is done. An annotated bibliography is also discussed where citations are followed by brief descriptions and evaluations of sources.

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!!!!!