Writing Research and I-Search Papers

A+ Research and Writing for High School and College Students
An outstanding step-by-step guide from the Internet Public Library.

Assignment Calculator
A handy page for students who have trouble with organization: students type in the date of the assignment and the date it's due. The page calculates how many days are left and suggests "deadlines" for different steps in the research/writing process. It also provides links to help with each step. Students can print out the page or sign up for e-mail reminders.

Avoiding Plagiarism
Links for teaching students about plagiarism and how to paraphrase, quote, and cite correctly.

Basic Steps in the Research Process
This site helps students through the research process. At each step students can click for additional information.

Big 6: An Information Problem-Solving Process
This approach "integrates information search and use skills along with technology tools in a systematic process to find, use, apply, and evaluate information to specific needs and tasks" (from the site). Be sure to click on "lessons" for practical applications.

Citation
Links to online citation tools.

I-Search Paper from Teachers.net
A teacher's letter to parents explains the process of an I-search project.

The I-Search Unit
This site divides the project into 4 phases, explains each one, and offers examples. This is a good site for beginners and veterans alike.

Investigating Animals: Using Nonfiction for Inquiry-based Research
In this very extensive unit, students explore nonfiction texts to research answers to their questions. This lesson is designed for grades K-2.

The Oprah Show
Students select a global issue, research it, and make a recommendation regarding America's participation in a solution. The topics available are fatal disease, ethnic cleansing, natural disaster, terrorism, civil war, and religious persecution. This WebQuest is designed for sophomores.

The Living Words: Examining the Evolution of Language by Documenting Unique Words in One's Own Culture
"Students share thoughts about the cultural nuances inherent in different languages. They then document words and phrases unique to their own generation, region and culture. Learning is synthesized by updating a 16th century English text into contemporary American-English."

Putting a Face to the Numbers: Revealing First-Hand Accounts of Historical Genocide
From the New York Times: "In this lesson, students learn about how hearing about experiences of genocide can make an impact on students. Then, students create a text on the history of genocide, using first-hand accounts and other primary sources as the focus of the text."

Quoting and Paraphrasing Sources
This resource shows students how to quote and paraphrase without plagiarizing.

A Research Guide for Students
This collection of links offers suggestions for everything from choosing a topic to conducting research, avoiding plagiarism, incorporating quotations, and citing correctly.

So you have to do a Research Project?
Designed for grades 4-8, this site helps students choose topics and evaluate sources. Links at the site offer starting points for online research.

Stories of the Wrights' Flight
Students compare firsthand accounts of the Wright brothers' first flights on December 17, 1903, and then compare these to a secondary source, a newspaper story that appeared the next day. Designed for grades 3-8.

Supporting Students with Learning Disabilities: Integrating Technology into an I-Search Unit
An overview and timeline of the process, a case study, and suggestions for integrating technology. Designed for middle school.

Taking Notes on Slides?
Who needs 3x5 cards when you have a slide presentation application handy? A suggestion for digital note-taking.

Unsolved Mysteries
This WebQuest is designed to introduce students to the research process.

Use PowerPoint for Note-Taking? Oh, yes.
This blog explains how to use any slide presentation tool for note-taking. When students are ready, they use the Slide Sorter feature to organize information into an outline.