Writing a Research Paper

Everything we've been doing this semester has been leading up to your final project, which is a six-page research paper and five-minute presentation. You have written a topic proposal, practiced citing print and electronic sources, used the library to find sources on the shelves and through databases, learned how to evaluate the information you find, put together an annotated bibliography of your sources, gained a little experience gathering primary research, worked collaboratively with your peers to create and present a research project, gained experience in critiquing your classmates' work and accepting their critiques of your own work, and learned how to use in-text citations. In addition you have been maintaining a blog of your progress through this course.

Now you need to focus on synthesizing everything you have learned into this last major writing project for the semester: 1. Developing a concise argument of a particular aspect of your topic, while synthesizing a variety of perspectives as you make that argument. 2. Writing with style so that your reader can not only understand what you are saying, but also maintain interest in what you have to say. 3. Presenting what you have learned to the class in a way that demonstrates your authority to speak on your topic--and holds the attention of your audience.

Here are a couple related links from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill that might help you to create and organize your argument and to write with style. For ideas on creating your presentation, check out The Key Steps to an Effective Presentation.

Anna, Jake, Kassie, and Heather contend that...

...the most popular area at Bracken Library for undergraduates is the first floor. They believe this is due to the easy access, since the entrances are at this level, and also because there are plenty of computers on this floor.

Alisha, Kristen, Megan, and Stephanie are discovering...

...some of the reasons that people ride the campus shuttle, and what they do to occupy themselves while riding the shuttle.

Adam, Angelina, Cody, and Garrett are comparing...

...the ways that male and female undergraduates use the library. For example, they noticed that women seem to go to the library in groups, while men tend to go alone.

Katie, Xin, Pat, and Josh are looking into...

...the reasons that students choose specific food-service stations at LaFollette. They contend that students who are in a hurry will select different options than students who have more time to relax over their meal.

Sara, Q, Brandon, and Chandler are wondering...

...how people behave at the Atrium, one of the campus dining centers. In particular, they wonder how people behave when eating alone versus eating with friends.

Glenda, Valerie, Matt, Daniel investigate...

...how students use Bracken Library and what changes have been made to encourage students to visit. In particular, they look at how students are utilizing the library as a place of social interaction.