RESEARCH PAPER GUIDELINES

Research Paper- A written result of diligent research of a particular subject. the writer uses what others have written and organizes this matter into a new original product. Since it is a factual account, the language in a research paper must be formal in tone.

The paper must be written in a five paragraph style format. The official required length of the paper will vary according to grade and section. Check the grade-specific parameters here. The essay may (and likely will be) more than five paragraphs, but, must prove the validity of a thesis statement through at least three supportable areas of discussion.

Bibliography Cards- A 3X5 card which gives source information to be used when preparing your works cited page.

You need a minimum of 5 (see Parameters for more information).

They should look like:

Doe, John. Title. City:

Any Publisher, 2000.

PMHS lib. 368.25

THE NUMBER IN THE UPPER RIGHT HAND CORNER (1) IS THE SOURCE NUMBER, EACH BIBLIOGRAPHY CARD MUST HAVE ONE. THIS IS THE NUMBER YOU WRITE ON THE NOTECARD TO IDENTIFY THE INFORMATION'S SOURCE. THERE SHOULD BE ONE BIB. CARD FOR EACH SOURCE YOU FIND.

Notecards- Preferable 4X6 index cards which you will take notes.

You need a minimum 20 notecards (variations occur across grade and class levels see Parameters for more information).

The notecard should look like this:

Topic of Information (slug) 2

"Experts predict........"

p. 62

The "slug" identifies what the information is about. The slug should be one of the topics identified in your outline.

The Outline

The outline must not reflect the organization of your paper, but also the outline must abide by strict format rules (see The outline for help).

Don't forget to include:

1. The heading

2. Page #'s (Smith 1) in the upper right hand corner.

3. An alphabetized works cited page.