Research Paper Materials

Whenever I am required to teach students how to write a research paper, I try as much as possible to give the kids choice in what they want to write about. These materials, like my last few posts, are spread across multiple grades and units, so I will add to this post as I uncover them.

Research Paper Outlining & Drafting

• Working Thesis & Preliminary Research Handout

• Preliminary Research Handout

• Research Paper Outline

• Basic outline template

• How to Organize a Research Paper PowerPoint

Research Paper Revision & Editing

• Research Paper Peer Feedback Handout

• Research Paper Editing Checklist

Sources

• Primary vs. Secondary Sources PowerPoint

MLA Formatting/Works Cited Support

• Awesome MLA PowerPoint from Purdue University

• Intro to MLA/Works Cited PowerPoint (Use slides 8-13 for the below note-taking guide)

• MLA/Works Cited Note-taking Guide

• MLA In-Text Citations Note-taking Guide

• MLA Formatting Peer Review Handout

• MLA Formatting Peer Review Handout (a bit improved over the above)

Research Paper Quizzes

• Research Paper Multiple Choice Quiz

Research Paper Rubric

• Research Paper Rubric

AP Research Paper Handouts

• AP Research Paper Assignment Sheet

• Types of Argument PowerPoint (to help kids brainstorm)

• Research Paper Outline

"I-Search" Paper Resources

One variation on letting kids choose their research paper topic is to have them write an "I-Search" paper, which is a bit more personal than a formal research paper. I honestly found explaining the whole I-Search idea confusing to the students, who did not understand why I was taking a paper that is always formal and adding this informal element...so I tried it once or twice and then abandoned it. I still have some materials, though, which I've posted below.

• I-Search Paper Assignment Sheet

• Finding a Research Paper Topic

• I-Search Brainstorm PowerPoint

• I-Search Paper Components

• Organizing the I-Search

• I-Search Outline Partially Filled In

• Sample I-Search Intro

• Sample I-Search Body

If you have any research paper or I-search papers that you would like to share, please feel free to leave them in the comments section below.