English+11+H+--+Research+Paper

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__ What do you know about Britain/England? __
English 11 Honors is an English class centered on British Literature. Continuing with the focus on Britain all topics researched in this unit will center on Britain. Students will be able to select any topic they want to learn more about that follow these four simple guidelines:
 * 1) The topic must relate to Britain/England
 * 2) The topic cannot be related to the revolutionary war between England and the United States (This topic and research was already covered in their history class)
 * 3) They have to be able to find academic and valid sources of information (Pop Culture magazines, web pages, blogs, etc. do not count as such)
 * 4) This research paper is not a biography or a simple facts only paper, it is a research paper on a topic that a stance can be taken on

During this unit __NO LATE WORK__ will be accepted
__(unless due to an excused absence) __

(We wish to avoid the high stress moments for everyone - no research papers written the night before.)

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February 2, 2010
Today we began talking about our research unit and considering topics. We played a word association game in class (words being: theater, royal, music). After reviewing the words that evolved from the game, we recognized that many of them would make interesting research topics. For the rest of the class, we went to the computer lab and began to search for more information about the desired topics of study.

Homework
 * 1) Write down two main topics that you would like to research
 * 2) Come up with four sub-topics for each main topic

Example: Main topic -- Princes Diana Subtopics -- Princes Diana's humanitarian efforts, Prices Diana: The princes that captured the people's heart, Princes Diana's Rags to Riches, Princes Diana and Turmoil Within the Royal Family

= February 4, 2010 =

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Today we reviewed the Macbeth papers and the difference between Analysis and Summary. Most of the Macbeth papers ended up being summary, we do not want this for our research papers and need to know how to use some summary but much much much more analysis in our writing. (Remember your research paper is not just a rehash of the information, you will be taking a stance on it! You will be analyzing it!)

Macbeth papers were handed back along with the rubric and the score for your group presentation. (If you have any questions about grades remember I am always in the classroom before or after school and during lunch. DO NOT ASK ME ABOUT YOUR GRADE DURING CLASS!) [|PowerSchool]

Homework


 * 1) Highlight in one color the summary in your Macbeth paper, with another color highlight the analysis
 * 2) Continue to research possible topics and subtopics for your research paper

February 9, 2010
Today was a very important day! If you were absent be sure to print out the files and come see me as soon as possible. Homework:
 * 1) Signed memorandum
 * 2) Plan Sheet 1 and 2
 * 3) Review Calendar for Research Paper

February 11,2010
Today the memorandum was turned in and Plan Sheets 1 and 2 were checked off. Students shared new focus questions with one another, and we worked with a few on the board, before having them approved. There was a quick and basic review on MLA citation (we will talk about this more in-depth later) and how to take research notes. The majority of class was spent in the Media Lab where the bulk of research began.


 * planed discussion on Annotated Bibliography has been changed to February 16, 2010

Homework
 * 1) Plan Sheet 3 will be finished next class
 * 2) Plan Sheet 4 will be checked at the end of next class, be sure to have 4 good sources and not to forget you will need 7 for your Annotated Bibliography
 * 3) Plan Sheet 7 will not be due next class (they will be due Feb. 22) but as you find more sources you should continue to take more notes! Do this at the same time as your research, do not do your research and a few days later make up your notes - that is not the purpose!

February 16, 2010
Today we spent the class in the Media Lab finding more sources, working on our research notes and annotated bibliography. All that will be due next class is the Annotated Bibliography.

Homework
 * 1) Plan Sheet 6: Annotated Bibliography will be due next class. Do not forget that means 7 sources with 2 paragraphs written about each. Look at the sheets in your packet, or the files under February 11, 2010 if you need more help. This will take time, make sure you leave yourself with plenty of it.

February 18, 2010
Today we review the Annotated Bibliography and started to work on our thesis. Below are a few of the questions used to help guide us to the thesis:
 * What did you learn from your research?
 * What did you learn that you had not expected?
 * From your research are you able to answer your focus question?
 * Answer your focus question in 3-4 sent.
 * Use the handouts about how to write a thesis to create your thesis from the above answer.

We also evaluated four student's thesis statements asking what is the main topic, what will need to be defined in the paper, what will need to be explained, what will need to be answered?

Homework
 * 1) Correct your Annotated Bibliographies so they can be turned in next class
 * 2) Finish your research notes following the format taught in class
 * 3) Work on your thesis statement and bring two copies to class next time -- One copy with your name and a bullet list answering the questions above just like we did in class, another copy with only your thesis statement (no name or anything else).

February 22, 2010
Today we reviewed everyone's thesis in class to improve them and make them easier to work with. We also evaluated if there is enough research to support the thesis, or if one of two things need to happen -- do you need to do more research or do you need to change your thesis even more?

Homework
 * 1) Continue working on your thesis
 * 2) Review your research and make sure that you have what you need to guide me to your answer/thesis

February 24, 2010
After we finished reviewing the thesis statements that we had not got to, we introduced the required form for outlining. We also handed back the annotated bibliographies and talked about changes that still need to be made in order to receive full credit on the final copy. (If you need notes about for this, ask another student next time you are in class.) After that, we talked about how to do an outline.

Homework
 * 1) If you want a better score on you Annotated Bibliography fix it, and return it next class
 * 2) Continue to work on your thesis
 * 3) Work on and finish your outline

February 26, 2010
Today I was out sick, Ms. Gardner reviewed the ideas that make a good introduction and took the class to the computer lab where you were able to start working on your paper using your outline, research notes, and thesis.

Homework
 * 1) Write your paper, be sure to have your intro done by next class

March 2, 2010
Today was another entire day used in the computer lab to finish writing your introductions and to start on your body paragraphs. Before going to the writing lab we talked about transitions (If you need help do not forget about this site!) and the important of ending your paragraphs by connecting them back to your thesis.

Homework
 * 1) Continue working on your paper

March 4, 2010
Before we went to the writing lab for the last time as a class we talked about you conclusion paragraphs and the need to not only wrap your paper up, and to restate your thesis, but also the need to synthesize your connector sentences.

Homework
 * 1) Finish your paper
 * 2) Bring three copies next class to use in the peer review

March 9, 2010
Today in class we divided into groups of three for the peer editing/review. During the review the focus was on:
 * ID the claim in the thesis
 * ID the connection with the thesis at the end of each paragraph
 * ID the transition sentences at the start of each paragraph
 * Check for wordy sections
 * Check for redundant info, words, etc.

Homework
 * 1) Your final paper and packet (look at the list below for what this means)
 * 2) Study your vocabulary [[file:Vocab Quiz List 6.doc]]

You need a copy of you final paper stapled to your works cited (title pages can be included but are not required.) In a __big envelope__ you need to have the three copies used for the peer review, your annotated bibliography, outline, research notes, gold and yellow packet. Do not forget to put your name on the envelope.

March 11, 2010
You have now turned in your research paper!!! You made it through the last few weeks, congrats. Today in class we shared the topics researched in small groups and enjoyed a party.

Homework
 * 1) Enjoy not having to work on your research paper! Have a fun weekend.