8^th Grade Writing
Ms. Smith
October, 2008

The eighth graders are currently working on their Invention Convention research papers. So far, the students have chosen their topics, found reliable sources, made bibliography cards, taken notes on their sources, and worked on their outlines. The students will begin writing their papers on October 7^th and it will be due on October 23^rd. Please see below for a complete description of the research paper assignment: 

Research Paper: Grade 8

Students are responsible for writing their papers as explained in their books, Writing a Research Paper: A Step-By-Step Approach. Each student has his/her own book, and should be taking it home to use as a reference during all phases of the research paper writing process. 

Format: Review of Literature

Purpose:

·      To inform: give information about your chosen scientific topic, summarizing factual information from a variety of sources.

·      To analyze: evaluate the research and present your findings. The research you include from other sources in your paper should support your topic. It is important to remember that this is not a paper where you have room to include your own opinions, particularly if they are not based on research. Even if you know something about your topic, you must back it up with the research found in your sources. 

Audience: your peers and teacher.  Even though you are addressing your peers, you must use formal language.  Slang and contractions are NOT allowed.

Point of View: Third person. Do not use any 1^st or 2^nd person pronouns such as I, you, your, yours, me, my, mine, our, ours, we, us.

Length: 3-4 pages (not counting your References page)

Sources: At least 5 reliable sources

·      No more than 1 website (can choose to have none)

·      No more than 1 encyclopedia (can choose to have none)

·      Other options: Books, Newspapers, Magazines, Professional Journals, Almanacs, Interviews with experts, Pamphlets, Brochures

*In the field of science, new discoveries are being made every day. Therefore, the more current your sources are the more reliable your information will be.

*Plagiarism is illegal! All sources used in paper must be cited correctly, as indicated in class. The APA (American Psychological Association) style will be the format used for citations. 

Format:

·      Typed

·      Double spaced (No extra spaces between paragraphs)

·      Indented paragraphs

·      12 point Times New Roman font

·      One inch margins

Contents:

·      Heading: Name and period number in upper left hand corner of first page 

·      Title: Centered in middle of page, below heading. No underlining or bold print. 

·      Introduction: Lets your reader know what your topic is; previews your main points; defines important terms; states your thesis sentence (last sentence of introduction)

·      Body: The body of your paper should contain 3 main SECTIONS.  Each section will most likely be more than one paragraph.  All information in these sections must come from your sources. YOU DECIDE WHAT YOUR 3 MAIN SECTIONS ARE.  

·      Conclusion: Restate thesis statement (first sentence); summarize your main points; wrap up sentence.

·      Parenthetical Citations: All information from your sources must be cited within your paper. Every paragraph must have at least one citation! All quotes must be cited immediately.

·      References page: This is a list of all the sources used in your paper. This is the last page of your paper.  The title for this page is References (No underline or bold).

·        Quotes: Your paper must contain at least 4 direct quotes.

Due Dates: Dates are subject to change depending on the amount of time required for students to understand the material.