SCIENCE RESEARCH PAPER

(Background Information)

The research portion of your project is called the background information. You will be looking for information about your topic. You must have all your references in the proper format. You have received a paper showing you how to cite various types of sources. Remember that you may not copy information from your source. Instead    you are to read through it and summarize it in your own words. Plagiarism is literary theft and is a violation of the Brandon Honor Code.

Be sure to have an outline for your background information. This will help you put your information into a logical order. Your research should have an introductory paragraph, at least five supporting paragraphs, and a closing paragraph. Each paragraph should have a minimum of five sentences.

Your research should have a minimum of five sources. One may be a general encyclopedia, one may be a science/technical encyclopedia, one may be an electronic source (this must be a copyrighted site), and the last two must be a book or a magazine article.

When you turn in your background research you must have the text AND the bibliography. Make sure you do the following:

- do not use abbreviations

- do not use contractions

- do not use slang (standard English is required)

- minimum of three typewritten pages

- one-inch margins

- double spaced

- no personal pronouns

- no personal opinions

- 12 font using Times Roman, Times New Roman, Arial, or Courier (no ornamental typefaces)

- black ink on white paper

 

 

BACKGROUND INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS

LENGTH:          3 typewritten pages of text

SOURCES:        minimum of 5; may include two Internet sources; only ONE general encyclopedia

                        (examples of general encyclopedia: World Book, Britannica, Colliers, Encarta-CD ROM)

NOTECARDS:   must be used

                        use 3x5

                        on lined side put information

                        on unlined side put source

Students may choose from the following areas of science for their topic:

                      Chemistry

                      Earth Science

                      Physics

                      No consumer testing products will be allowed.

 

STEPS TO A GOOD PARAGRAPH:

A paragraph is a group of sentences developing one topic. The first sentence of every paragraph is indented.

1.        Choose only one topic for a paragraph.

2.       State the topic in a topic sentence.

3.       Develop the topic fully using facts, reasons, and examples.

4.       Arrange the sentences in a clear and organized sequence.

5.       Summarize with a good concluding sentence.

6.       Proofread for capitalization, punctuation, spelling, and complete sentences.

 

In summary –

1.        Choose a topic in which you are interested

Focus on a specific topic that can be supported by facts, opinions, and drawings.

2.       Research

Use books, magazines, newspapers, almanacs, encyclopedias, and computer web sites to find information about your topic.

3.       Take notes

Write short, concise phrases that answer who, what, when, where, why, and how. List the facts on separate index cards so you can easily sort the information.

4.       Organize your notes

Sort your note cards into specific categories, and think of a topic sentence for each group of facts. Make an outline listing the order in which the facts will appear

in your report.

5.       Write the first draft

Include three major parts in your report—an introduction explaining the main idea or purpose of the report, a body containing the facts you have collected, and a

conclusion giving your final thoughts on the topic.

6.       Read and revise

Check spelling, sentence structure, and punctuation. Check for repetitions and omissions. Make sure you have kept to the point and only relevant information in included. Read the report aloud to

find out if it makes sense to you. Have an adult read the report to double-check your work.

7.       Write the final draft

Use a computer or word processor to write the final draft. Be sure to include the title page and the bibliography.