The I-Search Paper
Notes based on The I Search Paper (1988) by Ken Macrorie
MLA info: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl
The I-Search Paper directly involves you, the writer, into both process (searching for info) and product (the writing about that search). It challenges the concept that research is the searching again for information already documented. If you have never searched for information on the topic before, there is little re about it. You will connect to the topic in a unique way that cannot be ignored.
The paper will have five written components:
1. My Question (and why I decided to research this question) “I” format
2. My Search Process (the story of the hunt) “I” format
3. What Has Been Learned (connect findings to the original question) NOT “I” format
4. What This Means To Me (how has researching this question changed you) “I” format
5. Works Cited Page (all references in alphabetical order using MLA)
6. Oral Presentation ( speech, skit, poster, video, or some other exhibition of knowledge to be presented to the class) January 2013
Examination of the six components:
1.My Question: You may research a question of interest to you. All topics must be approved by Mrs. Gandt. Some sample topics are: health topics, cultural changes, civil disobedience, migrant workers in California in 1930’s, agriculture in California in the 1930’s, Dust Bowl, book banning in the United States, book burning in history, family and gender roles in the early 1900’s. I suggest you select a topic of personal interest. Explain where your question originated, what you think you know about this topic and what you want to learn. CAVEAT: must have at least one graphic component. “I” (first person) format
2. My Search Process: Keep a journal of your search and this section will be easier to write. You are encouraged to use a variety of resources. Keep note cards on Noodle Tools and they cannot be lost. Some resources that I suggest you consider are:
§ Google Images
§ use database reference tools (VRC)
§ read books magazines, newspapers, or reference texts
§ watch documentaries
§ interview people or conduct surveys
§ go on a personal field trip
Then you will describe the sequence of steps in your research. You may also discuss if your question changed as you researched. “I” format
3. What Has Been Learned: In this section you will focus on three of four major findings or conclusions and support them with examples, stories, or arguments that will help the reader understand how you arrived at these conclusions. You will also connect your findings to the original question. You should include any analysis you did (cause and effect, pro/con, compare and contrast, or sequencing). At least two (2) references to the graphic and three (3) quotations with parenthetical notations must be included. The graphic may be embedded into the text or as an appendix. Typical research paper section. This section is NOT IN “I” FORMAT.
4. What This Means to Me: You will answer the question: what do you now know about searching for information that you didn’t know before? To answer this you must describe the findings that meant the most to you. You may also want to discuss how this new knowledge will affect the way you will act and think in the future. You may also want to write about the skills you developed as a researcher and a writer. “I” format
5. Works Cited: This is an alphabetical listing of all the sources you worked with using the MLA format. The library will instruct you in Noodle Tools. Keep an up-to-date journal of all sources as you use them; they are very difficult to rediscover for vital info. References must include a minimum of three articles from databases and websites, if applicable and credible. Do not list search engines (Google).
6. Oral Presentation: We will discuss this as a class. All ideas do need my seal of approval, but I do endorse creativity.
No PowerPoint. January 2013.
Actual paper:
‚ must be typed (and original saved for portfolio purposes)
‚ 12 point
‚ Times New Roman
‚ black ink for text
‚ illustrations do not count as pages of text
‚ do not plagiarize (automatic grade of zero-see district policy in planner) or just ‘cut and paste’
‚ illustrations and titles may appropriately be in color
‚ must include:
· title page with appropriate title (not I-Search paper), your name, date, period and English 10R, Mrs. Gandt and optional graphic
· My Question pages ( about 1 ½ typed)
· My Search Process pages ( about 1 ½ typed)
· What I Have Learned pages (3-5 typed)
· What This Means To Me pages (about 1 ½ typed)
· Works Cited page listing sources precisely according to MLA Advanced format (use Noodle Tools only)
Grading:
v Rough draft pieces will receive a quiz grade
v The final project will receive 2 writing grades (double weight)
v All pieces are subject to 5 points per day late penalty
v No rough drafts will be accepted after Dec. 12th
v Oral report (Jan. 2013) will be a double project grade
Dates are tentative. Gandt/English 10R
Nov. 12
Veterans Day
|
13
|
14
Library
|
15
Library |
16
Library
|
19
My Question due
|
20
|
Thanksgiving
| ||
Nov. 26
Vocab
|
27 Antigone
My Search Process due
|
28
|
29
Vocab test
|
30
|
Dec 3
Library Work Cited |
4
|
5
What has been Learned Due
|
6
Work Cited Due
|
7
What this means to Me due |
10
Vocab
|
11
|
12
I-Search Due |
13
Vocab test
|
14
|
17
|
18
|
19
Antigone Test
|
20
Antigone Critical Lens
|
21
Antigone Critical Lens |
- Rough drafts of I-Search Paper due on above dates
- Antigone will be read in class, but it is also is available on line at http://classics.mit.edu/Sophocles/antigone.html
- Bring notebook daily for journal entries.
- Antigone: pop quizzes, act tests, final test and critical lens essay
Oral presentations in January 2013!
(Sample) Works Cited
Editor, author, or compiler name (if available). Name of Site. Version number. Name of institution/organization affiliated with the site (sponsor or publisher), date of resource creation (if available). Medium of publication. Date of access.
Lastname, Firstname. Title of Book. Place of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication. Medium of Publication.
