Victorian Era Research Project
In preparation of reading Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations (1860-61), we will be independently conducting research on the Victorian Era in England (1837-1901).
The work schedule below is a minimum. You may work ahead of schedule on any part. The due dates are set, so do not waste valuable class time talking or doing work for another class. Diligence and following directions are expected throughout this project and will lead to its successful completion.
Monday, 1/8
/ Tuesday, 1/9 / Wednesday 1/10 / Thursday, 1/11 / Friday,1/12
LIBRARY
In the library, look for 5 sources of research for your topic.
Due by the end of the period: One source card. / LIBRARY
Finish gathering sources and complete your source cards. Read to gather information and begin taking notes.
Due by the end of the period:
The remaining 4 source cards / LIBRARY
Continue reading and taking notes.
Due by the end of the period: Detailed notes from 5 sources / COMPUTER LAB
#104
Type up Works Cited List. PUNCTUATION MUST BE PERFECT.
Due by the end of the period: Completed Works Cited Page / LIBRARY
Organize your notes and begin constructing your outline. No more library time after class today.
Due by the end of the period: Your Thesis Statement
Monday,
1/15 / Tuesday,
1/16 / Wednesday,
1/17 / Thursday,
1/18 / Friday,
1/19
Martin Luther King Holiday / DUE TODAY: Typed Outline that includes your thesis statement
/
EXAMS
/EXAMS
/EXAMS
What I Will Be Collecting:
-5 Source Cards Due: Tuesday, 1/9 25%
-Works Cited Page Due: Thursday ,1/11 25%
-5 pages of notes Due: Friday, 1/12 25%
-Typed up Outline Due: Tuesday, 1/16 25%
Worth A Test Grade 100%
I. RESEARCH TOPICS (Choose one):
2
q Industrial Revolution (England, 1700s) and Factories (England, 1800s)
q Diseases/Health Issues in 1800s
q Working conditions, workforce (Labor/hours)
q Reform acts (1800s)
q Daily life for Victorians
q Victorian Fashions (clothes)
q The life of Charles Dickens and other works of literature he wrote
q Other Victorian Writers of the time period
q Penal System; treatment of Convicts
q Social Status
q Victorian Etiquette
q Social class, tradition, money
q Orphanage/Orphans
q London during the 1800s
q Schools and Education
q Marriage customs
2
II. Finding Sources
You need a minimum of 5 sources, and you must include at least one Encyclopedia, one traditional Book, and one Electronic Source (website or database). The other two sources are your choice. Pay close attention to the Media Specialist as she explains how to find your needed information.
III. Creating Source Cards
Your work will be made much easier if you take care to get complete information as you work. Going back to find missing information later is unnecessary and time-consuming. In addition, if you need to consult a reference work at a later date, a complete bibliography will help you relocate the material as quickly as possible.
INTERNET Book
SOURCE CARD CHECK LIST
q I have used 5 different sources.
q One source is an encyclopedia article.
q I have used one Internet article.
q I have used one book (print) source.
q I have followed the proper format as described above.
q All punctuation is perfect.
q Each source card is numbered in the upper right-hand corner.
q Spelling on the card is exactly as it appeared in the source.
IV. Taking Notes
The information you require from your 5 sources will provide the “meat” for your outline. Therefore, you need to take thorough and detailed notes that paraphrase or summarize what each source says. Do not write verbatim what is on the page; that would be considered plagiarism.
I am requiring a minimum of 5 pages (not front and back) of notes. You need to have notes from EACH SOURCE and you must label your notes accordingly. If you are copying a direct quote, be sure to use quotation marks. For quotes, specific facts, and statistics, you must also obtain page numbers.
Note Taking CHECK LIST
q My notes are labeled to reflect that I have obtained information from each of my five sources.
q My notes are summarizing the information; not directly copying (plagiarism).
q I have provided the page numbers for all statistics, quotations, and facts that I obtained from each source. (Internet sources do not apply here.)
q If I directly quoted something, I was sure to use quotation marks.
V. Works Cited Page
If you prepared your source cards correctly, creating a Works Cited page is a cinch!
1. Sort your cards alphabetically according to the first word on each one.
2. Type your information (keeping in alphabetical order).
3. Double space everything.
4. If the entry is more than one line long, indent the second and all subsequent lines one-half inch (use tab button) from let margin.
5. Underline the titles of books; place quotation marks around the titles of articles.
- Copy internet addresses with great care; they must be accurate!
- DO NOT number your entries.
Sample Works Cited Page
VI. Outline (with Thesis Statement).
The following is an example of an outline structure. Use this same format; but use complete sentences for the topic of each paragraph, and provide ample evidence from all of the notes you took in the media center.
2