A. Planning Your Research Project

Now that you have a basic idea of what you are required to do, it's time to make a plan. Plan this research project in terms of days and weeks. You have the time frame of the remainder of this unit to finish, and you will need to work on the project each day. The final paper should be completed by the time you get to the practice test.

Carefully read the following and follow through with all the requirements by writing it in the space provided or on a calendar. When you are finished, inform your teacher and go over what your plan is.

1. Ask your teacher when your final project (the presentation) is due and write that date down.
2. Ask your teacher to give you a due date for the final draft of the research project.
3. Consider any other commitments you may have, such as sports practices and games. Write these dates down. Note any other major assignments and their dates. Develop an overall picture of your projects and commitments and how much time you have to complete them.

When you have recorded all the due dates and commitments, set up your research plan. Record the following:

4. Topic selected and narrowed
5. Sources selected
6. Information gathered (15 note cards) and all sources documented
7. Tentative outline written
8. Thesis statement and final outline written
9. Rough draft completed, including works cited
10. Rough draft revised, proofread, and edited
11. Final draft completed
12. Final research project completed
13. Research presentation due

To keep yourself on track throughout the unit, record ALL 13 items listed above on a calendar or list that you include in the space below. Show your teacher your plan!

B. Selecting a Topic

Once you have developed a plan, the next step in any research project is to decide on your topic. The table below shows suggested topics that contain people, places, events, and things that you have studied in your science and social studies classes. These topics are just starting points; once you select a general topic, you will need to narrow it so that it has a specific focus. Look over the list of topics and choose three that interest you. Write your choice in the space below.

List of Suggested Research Topics

Science:
- Earthquakes
- Hurricanes
- Tsunamis
- A planet in the solar system
- Volcanoes
- Black holes
- Fires
- Dwarf planets
- Floods
- Galileo
- Tornadoes
- Telescopes

Social Studies:
- Jonathan Edwards
- Battle of Bunker Hill
- Benjamin Franklin
- Thomas Paine
- Patrick Henry
- Abigail Adams
- Paul Revere
- Thomas Jefferson
- Boston Tea Party
- Daniel Boone
- William Dawes
- James Madison
- Christopher Columbus
- Eli Whitney
- John Winthrop
- Lewis and Clark
- William Penn
- Sacagawea
- Quakers
- Aaron Burr
- Dolley Madison
- Valley Forge

C. Brainstorming

Brainstorming is listing ideas related to your topic on paper. Writing down your ideas will help you establish a starting point for research. Set your timer for 2 minutes per topic and make a list of everything you know about the three topics you chose. Include that list in the space below or talk with your teacher about completing a word web instead. Consult a teacher or classmate if you experience difficulties.

When you have finished this assignment, look over your lists and see which one would be the best to explore for your research paper. Inform your teacher when you have finished this assignment and chosen the final topic for your paper.