<p>Name: ______Period:______</p><p>“Controversial Topics” Research Project </p><p>School Databases: Go to http://galesites.com/menu/j246904</p><p>Step 1: Choose a topic Look at the list of topics. There can only be one person per topic. Do you have an idea for another topic? Get it approved by your teacher Controversial Topic (to research): ______</p><p>Why did you choose this topic? ______</p><p>______</p><p>Step 2: Use MLA Format to cite each source BEFORE you begin taking notes with it.  You must use 3 sources (minimum).  One of your sources must be a news source. (Examples: cnn.com, foxnews.com, msnbc.com, cbsnews.com, abcnews.com, nytimes.com, usatoday.com, news.google.com, news.yahoo.com, OR any other official news source)  Other sources can be from anywhere EXCEPT for Wikipedia.com or any other wiki sources.  Information that needs to be cited: direct quotations from the articles; use quotes, and cite at the end of the sentence with (author’s last name, page # of article).  Information that doesn’t need to be cited: names, dates, information that can be found in any article written about the event </p><p>Resource Type: Book Source #: ______Source #: ______Source #: ______</p><p>Author/Editor:</p><p>Title:</p><p>Place of publication (City,State):</p><p>Publisher (Company Name):</p><p>Date of Publication:</p><p>Format for Bibliography: </p><p>Author’s Last Name, First Name. Title. Place of Publication: Publisher, Date of publication. Resource Type: Online Source #: ______Source #: ______Source #: ______Database</p><p>Author:</p><p>“Title of Article”:</p><p>Book or periodical title:</p><p>Publication information of article:</p><p>Name of Database:</p><p>Publication information of database:</p><p>Library & Date of access:</p><p><Full address/path>:</p><p>Format for Bibliography: </p><p>Author’s Last Name, First name. “Article Title.” Book or magazine title. Publication information. Name of Database. Pub. Info of database. Library & date of access <full address/path>.</p><p>Resource Type: Internet Source #: ______Source #: ______Source #: ______Site</p><p>Author:</p><p>“Title of article”:</p><p>Document date:</p><p>Any publication information:</p><p>Date of access:</p><p><Full address/path>:</p><p>Format for Bibliography:</p><p>Author’s Last name, First name. “Article Title.” Site Title. Document Date. Any publication information. Date of access <full address/path>. Step 3: Take notes on your topic using your sources.</p><p>As you gather information about your focused topic, you may find new information which prompts you to refine, clarify, extend or narrow your focus. Stay flexible and adjust your information search to account for the changes, widening or narrowing your search, or heading down a slightly different path to follow a new lead. (Source: http://www.ipl.org/div/aplus/step4.htm#sec1.3)</p><p>Use these questions as a jumping off point to take notes on your topic. Source Remember to use your own words and put quotation marks around any direct quotes. Number (for EACH note) 1. WHO is involved in this controversial topic? WHO are the people most concerned about this topic?</p><p>2. WHAT is the controversial topic? (Be very specific here!)</p><p>3. WHEN did this topic first appear in society and begin to be controversial?</p><p>4. WHY is this topic so controversial? Give several reasons and examples.</p><p>5. HOW does the general population of the United States/world view this controversial topic?</p><p>6. Notes:</p><p>7. Notes:</p><p>8. Notes:</p><p>Planning:</p><p>You MUST use a QUOTE from THREE different sources:</p><p>1. Source Number: ______</p><p>______</p><p>______</p><p>2. Source Number: ______</p><p>______</p><p>______</p><p>3. Source Number: ______</p><p>______</p><p>______Step 4: Construct a THESIS Statement.</p><p>What is a THESIS STATEMENT? (Source: http://www.ipl.org/div/aplus/step4.htm#sec1.3)</p><p>In summary, a thesis statement is a single sentence, usually in the first paragraph of the paper, which:</p><p> Declares the position you are taking in your paper,</p><p> Sets up the way you will organize your discussion, </p><p> Points to the conclusion you will draw, and  Boils down the main point of your paper to a single statement.</p><p>My thesis statement is: ______</p><p>______</p><p>______</p><p>______</p><p>Rewrite- My thesis statement is: ______</p><p>______</p><p>______</p><p>______</p><p>Step 5: Write your “paper”</p><p>You will be given one class day to write your paper in class. Your work cited and this packet must be completed by that time. You will follow our STAAR Persuasive outline. Date of in class writing: ______Step 6: Type your paper in MLA Format</p><p>Step 7: Construct your MLA Work Cited.</p><p>1. Review your notes for research lite and MLA documentation. (Look at your sources sheet) 2. All sources must be listed alphabetically. 3. Be sure to indent after the initial line. 4. Need more help? Go to: http://www.georgetownisd.org/Page/11183</p><p>“Controversial Topics” Final Draft: Grading Rubric</p><p>*Zero points will be given for sections not completed!* 20 15 10 5</p><p>Intro/Thesis Clearly stated thesis and at least Thesis of paper is present, Thesis present, but 3 areas Thesis not present, and 3 3 areas of info to be addressed. but 3 areas of info to be of info not stated. Does not areas of info not stated. Original and creative; a clear addressed are not stated. grab reader’s attention. Does not grab reader’s picture is given and grabs Clear picture is not given, Non-related information attention. Reader can still reader’s attention. but grabs reader’s attention. included. Reader can still determine topic of the paper determine topic of paper. through the info included.</p><p>Body Paragraphs Topic sentences are complete Topic sentences are Topic Sentences are not Not all paragraphs have a sentences that connect logically complete sentences, but complete sentences and do topic sentence; random to thesis; Transitions make may not connect to thesis; not connect to thesis; information is included paper flow well. There is at transitions are present and transitions are present, but within the paragraphs and least one paragraph for each paper flows well. do not help with the flow of transitions are not present; area of info addressed. the paper. paper does not flow well.</p><p>Supporting All 4 sources are used; all info Only 3 sources are used; no Only 2 sources are used. Only 1 source is used. More Evidence/Documentation from sources is documented more than 2 pieces of info No more than 4 pieces of than 4 pieces of info used properly using MLA citation. used without proper info used without proper without proper documentation. Format documentation. Format documentation. Format done correctly using MLA done incorrectly (MLA), done incorrectly (MLA), citation. but still present. but still present.</p><p>Commentary At least 2 complete, At least 2 complete, At least 1 complete, Commentary sentences are commentary sentences are commentary sentences are commentary sentence is present in some, but not all written for each paragraph and written for each paragraph, written for each paragraph paragraphs OR commentary support the topic sentence and but both may not support and supports the topic sentences in all paragraphs evidence. the topic sentence and/or sentence and evidence. do not support the topic evidence. sentence and/or evidence.</p><p>Conclusion Summarizes and restates thesis Summarizes and restates Restates the thesis exactly; Introduction paragraph is in complete sentence; transition thesis in complete sentence; may give more info not just repeated; reader is not informing reader that paper is no transition is made; call included in the introduction aware that paper is ending; ending; call to action or final to action or final thought is or body paragraphs; reader call to action or final thought given. not clearly given. is not clear that the paper is thought is confusing or ending; no call to action or disconnected from topic. final thought given.</p><p>Grammar & Usage Punctuation, capitalization, and Errors do not detract from Errors detract from overall Enough errors to confuse spelling are done correctly the overall flow of paper flow of paper (Between 11- the reader (More than 15 (Less than 5 errors). (Between 6-10 errors). 15 errors). errors). English II Writing</p><p>Persuasive Prompt </p><p>Read the information in the box below.</p><p>According to Merriam Webster controversy is a discussion marked especially by the expression of opposing views </p><p>Think about the following quote by Bertrand Russell “The most savage controversies are about matters as to which there is no good evidence either way”</p><p>Write an essay stating your position on your controversial topic .</p><p>Be sure to – </p><p> Clearly state your thesis</p><p> Organize</p><p> Choose your words carefully</p><p> Edit your writing for grammar, mechanics and spelling</p>