Organizing Your Research
ORGANIZATION
Please remember that the following is simply one way to organize your paper. You may have a better idea and want to follow your own heart’s desire. This paper is supposed to be a personal account of your search and discovery, and it is your voice I truly want to hear in the paper. You will show that by being honest and forthright in your description of your search. Remember, however, that organization is important, so that whatever you decide, you should have a focus and a plan. A little formality can go a long way to make a good impression.
I. NOODLETOOLS + RESEARCH FOLDER: Your research folder includes all source information for which it is impossible to create an NoodleTools note card – things like handwritten journals and photocopies (see guidelines below)
A. I will regularly provide feedback on and score completion of your progress in NoodleTools.
B. You must keep notes on each source – not simply the source info itself. These notes are your chance to analyze your source information and to see how it connects, compares, or refutes ideas you got from other sources.
C. All work other than the final paper will appear in your folder or in NoodleTools first.
D. Printouts or handwritten records of your interview questions and responses should be kept in your folders.
II. THE FINAL PAPER
A. Introduction
1. Introduce us to your word search journey. You may reveal a metaphor or frame you plan to carry through your paper. You may consider using one of the quotations you found, or a definition, or a synonym or insight that captures the most interesting idea(s) you discovered about your word. Most importantly, state the personal understanding your search has lead you to develop about your word.
2. Talk about your overall search and what it felt like to begin to learn about your
word. Describe frustrations, problems, victories, etc. This will still be fairly general. You might say, “When I began my Word Search paper, I was unaware of the…
B. Body
1. Write one or more paragraphs about each source and step of your research. Include the summary of your material, your personal comments, etc. Don’t forget to cite your sources.
2. You should be trying many writing styles in this part of your paper. You are telling about what you learned, showing textual evidence, and especially giving a personal dimension to what you have experienced in this project. You should be revealing feelings, telling problems, sharing insights, etc. If you simply repeat what we already know, you’re wasting time. Here’s your chance to show that you can pursue something, shape it through your own experience, and learn/teach others something in the process.
C. Conclusion
1. Write your response to the project as a whole. Show how you have evolved in your thinking about your word by reflecting on your initial understanding of the word and what you now believe/know.
2. Try to be philosophical in your summation of your weeks-long relationship with a word and idea.
3. Try to be original and fresh in your thoughts on your paper.
Please remember that the following is simply one way to organize your paper. You may have a better idea and want to follow your own heart’s desire. This paper is supposed to be a personal account of your search and discovery, and it is your voice I truly want to hear in the paper. You will show that by being honest and forthright in your description of your search. Remember, however, that organization is important, so that whatever you decide, you should have a focus and a plan. A little formality can go a long way to make a good impression.
I. NOODLETOOLS + RESEARCH FOLDER: Your research folder includes all source information for which it is impossible to create an NoodleTools note card – things like handwritten journals and photocopies (see guidelines below)
A. I will regularly provide feedback on and score completion of your progress in NoodleTools.
B. You must keep notes on each source – not simply the source info itself. These notes are your chance to analyze your source information and to see how it connects, compares, or refutes ideas you got from other sources.
C. All work other than the final paper will appear in your folder or in NoodleTools first.
D. Printouts or handwritten records of your interview questions and responses should be kept in your folders.
II. THE FINAL PAPER
A. Introduction
1. Introduce us to your word search journey. You may reveal a metaphor or frame you plan to carry through your paper. You may consider using one of the quotations you found, or a definition, or a synonym or insight that captures the most interesting idea(s) you discovered about your word. Most importantly, state the personal understanding your search has lead you to develop about your word.
2. Talk about your overall search and what it felt like to begin to learn about your
word. Describe frustrations, problems, victories, etc. This will still be fairly general. You might say, “When I began my Word Search paper, I was unaware of the…
B. Body
1. Write one or more paragraphs about each source and step of your research. Include the summary of your material, your personal comments, etc. Don’t forget to cite your sources.
2. You should be trying many writing styles in this part of your paper. You are telling about what you learned, showing textual evidence, and especially giving a personal dimension to what you have experienced in this project. You should be revealing feelings, telling problems, sharing insights, etc. If you simply repeat what we already know, you’re wasting time. Here’s your chance to show that you can pursue something, shape it through your own experience, and learn/teach others something in the process.
C. Conclusion
1. Write your response to the project as a whole. Show how you have evolved in your thinking about your word by reflecting on your initial understanding of the word and what you now believe/know.
2. Try to be philosophical in your summation of your weeks-long relationship with a word and idea.
3. Try to be original and fresh in your thoughts on your paper.