Monday, November 8, 2010

Day 33: Introduction to Research Papers

1. Warm-up discussion

In groups, discuss these set of questions:
(a)What is a research paper?
(b)What is your general impression on the word “research paper”?
(c)Have you ever read one during this semester? What was it about?
(d)What types of research paper are there?

Remember that the ultimate purpose of writing a research paper is to incorporate the ideas of others to build up your own thoughts. In order to do so, you have to write the paper in a given format. That is why you need to be familiar with conventions to format your paper. Go over PPT SLIDES 2-5 for details.

2. Types of research paper

There are 2 major types of research paper; an analytical paper and an argumentative paper. Bear in mind that your final mini-research paper should be an argumentative paper, which basically is an extended version of their assignment 3. Go over PPT SLIDES 6-7 for detail.

3. General research paper format

Go over PPT SLIDES 8-12 the and example in Hacker book example (p.515-528) to learn more about the general research paper format. Make sure you are familiar with major 4 parts:
(a) Title page
(b) Abstract
(c) Content (introduction, body, conclusion)
(d) Reference list

**You do not need to write an abstract for your final mini-research paper but it is the part of formalized essay you will write in ESL 115.

4. An essay formatting workshop

Pair up and re-organize the ESSAY by undertaking these 6 mini tasks:

1. Create a title page with necessary information
2. Give titles such as abstract, subheadings, reference list, labels for sources
3. Headings and page numbers
4. Indent paragraphs
5. Insert figures (or attach appendixes)
6. Re-arrange reference list

** The original source, unlike ones in Hacker book, does not have subheadings for body paragraphs. Try coming up with subheadings for sub sections.