WinstonChurchillHighSchoolMediaCenter

Persuasive Research Paper

The purpose of a pathfinder is to start from the most general resources, for instance Encyclopedia Britannica, and then move onto resources that have more specific information. When you are searching the general sources, jot down key words or key events so that you can use these terms later in other types of reference materials.

Information Literacy Skills

  • Students will demonstrate the ability to locate and use information resources, equipment and other technologies effectively and efficiently.
  • Students will demonstrate the ability to review, evaluate and select media.
  • Students will demonstrate the ability to learn and apply reading, research and critical thinking skills to organize, and synthesize information in order to communicate new understanding.
  • Students will cite the sources they used to gather information for this project.

A / Ask and Clarify Questions

Identify your research problem or question.

Read about the issue.

Analyze the problem and develop questions.

G / Gather Information

Gather keywords bases on questions.

Choose the best source of information (books, internet and periodicals).

Search for the information.

Record notes and bibliographic information.

Books / Encyclopedias / Online Databases / Internet Sites / Plagiarism / Works Cited Page / Information Literacy Skills

Books

The media center staff has selected books for you to use for this research project. They are located on a reserve cart with your teacher’s name. These books may not be checked-out at this time; there are several classes in need of the same books. Use the table of contents and the index in order to find specific information.

The following series titles are designed to present an issue and then give both viewpoints. As you locate these books, they will be placed on the reserve cart in the MediaCenter.

  • Point-CounterPoint. Philadelphia: Chelsea House.
  • Opposing Viewpoints Digests. San Diego:Greenhaven Press.
  • At Issue.San Diego: Greenhaven Press.
  • Taking Sides.Guilford, CT: Dushkin Publishing Group.
  • Pro/Con Issues.Berkeley Heights, NJ: Enslow.
  • Contemporary World Issues. Santa Barbara: ABC CLIO.

Online Encyclopedia Passwords available from the MediaCenter

  • Encyclopedia Britannica (Search on general search terms relating to your topic. Don’t forget to check out the Internet Guide).
  • World Book Encyclopedia (Search on general search terms relating to your topic. Don’t forget to check out the Internet Guide).

SubscriptionDatabases Passwords available from the MediaCenter

  • Opposing Viewpoints Scroll through the list of viewpoints or enter a term in the search box). Remember to look at all of the different types of articles listed– magazines, primary source documents, web sites, statistics etc. Also click “here” to PowerSearch all databases to access current event magazines, journal articles and newspaper articles.
  • SIRS On the right side, look at “Leading Issues,” and click on the “more” tab. Remember to look at all of the different types of articles listed– magazines, web sites, etc.
  • Issues and Controversies.Click on the tab labeled, “Issues and Controversies” and then click on “more” in the issues box on the right.Teen Pregnancy, Public Health Aid to Sub-Saharan Africa, Rainforest Destruction, are addressed here.
  • Proquest—This database contains current events in magazines, journals and newspapers.
  • Global Issues in Context This database offers international viewpoints on a broad spectrum of global issues, topics, and current events.

O / Organize Information and Prepare Conclusions

Summarize your findings.

Draw conclusions and inferences.

Use a graphical organizer or note cards to arrange the information.

P / Prepare Materials to Present

Decide the best medium(s) to use to communicate the information.

Prepare the first draft of a written paper or speech or prepare a script and/or story.

Prepare a Works Cited page.

Resources Available in the MediaCenter

  • Scanner—you may scan images from our print sources and then use the image in your PowerPoint or written presentation.
  • Color Laser Printer—the cost for use is $.25 for plain paper and $1.00 for color transparencies.
  • Photocopier—copies may be made for $.15 per copy.

Works Cited Page

  • The works cited page records the specific location of each source used.
  • Remember that typically, criticisms are published by authors and then those individual criticisms are gathered into a reference book published by an editor. Both the author and the editor will need to be listed in your citation.

MLA citation examples can be found at

  • NoodleBib can assist you in writing your citations. Use the “WorksCited Template” to gather information about your source.
  • The citation given at the end of online database articles are usually general in nature, i.e., you probably need to revise it to fit into the style of MLA.

Plagiarism

In the text, Write for College, the definition of plagiarism is defined; “Plagiarism is the presentation of another writer’s ideas or words as if they were your own, without acknowledging the source” (297).

P / Present and Access Information

Revise your first draft. Revise again if necessary.

Prepare your final product.

Present the product to your audience.

Evaluate your process and product.

For Web 2.0 Ideas to create multimedia presentations, try some of the following tools:

  • PhotoPeach—Free tool. You can upload images and add music and transitions to make your own story. Although you can upload your own music, PhotoPeach has a variety of all genres of music for you to use free.
  • PhotoStory—This is a free download from Microsoft for PCs. It is also found on all MCPS computers under “Windows Accessories.” Upload photos, music, narration to create digital stories. Add transitions to create “movement.” See this tutorial.
  • Animoto- Automatically produces beautifully orchestrated, completely unique video pieces from your photos, video clips and music. Fast, free and shockingly easy.
  • Movie Maker is also a free download from Microsoft for PCs. It is also found on all MCPS computers under “Windows Accessories.”

Where to get Copyright free photos? Use Creative Commons!

  • Flickr's Creative Commons Pool: Browse through the images provided by Flickr users who have chosen to offer their work under a Creative Commons license. A Flickr Advanced Search also allows you to search for these images easily.
  • CompFight

Where to get royalty free music?

  • Jamendo—Free and legal music downloads

How to capture video from your computer? Use Camtasia. They offer a free trial and you can download it to your computer and then play a YouTube video and “record” the portion of the video that you want to export as a MP3 file. You can save this file on your hard drive and then import it into Moviemaker. Camtasia has wonderful tutorial videos.

Camstudio is a free Open Source software similar to Camtasia, but the Media Staff has never used this. You can also capture video with this tool.