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30 Writing Research Reports

Page
253
from
Write Ahead

Start-Up Activity

Ask students if they ever had to find something in the dark. Ask what they were trying to find, and have them explain the process they used to find it. Were they successful? Why or why not?

Then tell students that research is just the same process: looking for something in the dark. Whether the researcher is looking for a specific something or for "whatever," the person must shine light in dark places and sort through what's there. Let your students know that the root of research is search, which is the heart of a successful paper.

Think About It

“Research is formalized curiosity. It is poking and prying with a purpose.”

—Zora Neale Hurston

State Standards Covered in This Chapter

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.1

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.2

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.3

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.5

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.2

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.7

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.8

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.9

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.2.A

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.2.B

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.4

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.5

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.6

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.2.C

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.2.D

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.2.E

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.2.F

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.9-10.1

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.9-10.2

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.9-10.3

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.9-10.3.A

LAFS Covered in This Chapter

LAFS.910.RI.1.1

LAFS.910.RI.1.2

LAFS.910.RI.1.3

LAFS.910.RI.2.5

LAFS.910.W.1.2

LAFS.910.W.3.7

LAFS.910.W.3.8

LAFS.910.W.3.9

LAFS.910.W.2.4

LAFS.910.W.2.5

LAFS.910.W.2.6

LAFS.910.L.1.1

LAFS.910.L.1.2

LAFS.910.L.2.3

TEKS Covered in This Chapter

110.36.c.4.F

110.36.c.5.C

110.36.c.7.D

110.36.c.7.E

110.37.c.4.F

110.37.c.5.C

110.37.c.7.D

110.37.c.7.E

110.36.c.5.D

110.36.c.7.D.i

110.36.c.7.E.i

110.36.c.4.G

110.37.c.5.D

110.37.c.7.D.i

110.37.c.7.E.i

110.37.c.4.G

110.36.c.8.B

110.37.c.8.B

110.36.c.9

110.36.c.10.B

110.36.c.11

110.37.c.11

110.36.c.11.E

110.36.c.11.F

110.36.c.11.G

110.37.c.11.E

110.37.c.11.F

110.37.c.11.G

110.36.c.9.B.i

110.37.c.9.B.i

110.37.c.10.B

110.36.c.10.C

110.36.c.9.B.ii

110.37.c.10.C

110.37.c.9.B.ii

110.36.c.9.A

110.37.c.9.A

110.36.c.9.C

110.36.c.9.D

110.37.c.9.C

110.37.c.9.D

110.36.c.9.E

110.37.c.9.E

110.36.c.5.H

110.37.c.5.H

110.36.c.1.C

110.37.c.1.C

TEKS Covered in This Chapter

Page 254 from Write Ahead

Sample Research Report

You can have volunteers read the research report aloud, paragraph by paragraph, as you point out the features indicated in the side notes. However, because of the length and complexity of the report, you can also have students read it silently. Let them know that they will be expected to participate in a class discussion of the report afterward.

Also share with students other free research report examples.

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.910.RI.1.1
TEKS Standard:
110.36.c.4.F, 110.36.c.5.C, 110.36.c.7.D, 110.36.c.7.E, 110.37.c.4.F, 110.37.c.5.C, 110.37.c.7.D, 110.37.c.7.E
NE ELA Standard:
LA 10.1.6.g

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 9Grade 10
Mode:
Research Writing
Form:
Research Report
English Language Arts:
ReadingWriting

Page 255 from Write Ahead

Sample Research Report (Cont.)

Continue to review the sample report.

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.910.RI.1.1
TEKS Standard:
110.36.c.4.F, 110.36.c.5.C, 110.36.c.7.D, 110.36.c.7.E, 110.37.c.4.F, 110.37.c.5.C, 110.37.c.7.D, 110.37.c.7.E
NE ELA Standard:
LA 10.1.6.g

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 9Grade 10
Mode:
Research Writing
Form:
Research Report
English Language Arts:
ReadingWriting

Page 256 from Write Ahead

Sample Research Report (Cont.)

Continue to review the research report.

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.910.RI.1.1
TEKS Standard:
110.36.c.4.F, 110.36.c.5.C, 110.36.c.7.D, 110.36.c.7.E, 110.37.c.4.F, 110.37.c.5.C, 110.37.c.7.D, 110.37.c.7.E
NE ELA Standard:
LA 10.1.6.g

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 9Grade 10
Mode:
Research Writing
Form:
Research Report
English Language Arts:
ReadingWriting

Page 257 from Write Ahead

Sample Research Report (Cont.)

After students finish reviewing the sample research report, lead a discussion with questions like these:

  • How does the writer get readers' attention at the beginning? (By referring to an interesting historical discovery.)
  • What were the different ways the Confederacy and Union had for creating ironclads? (The Confederacy put metal cladding on existing wooden ships, but the Union created ships of iron.)
  • What detail from the report was most surprising to you?
  • How does the writer wrap up the ideas in the final paragraph? (By referring back to the first paragraph and the discovery of the Monitor's gun emplacement)
State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.910.RI.1.1
TEKS Standard:
110.36.c.4.F, 110.36.c.5.C, 110.36.c.7.D, 110.36.c.7.E, 110.37.c.4.F, 110.37.c.5.C, 110.37.c.7.D, 110.37.c.7.E
NE ELA Standard:
LA 10.1.6.g

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 9Grade 10
Mode:
Research Writing
Form:
Research Report
English Language Arts:
Reading

Page 258 from Write Ahead

Works-Cited Page

Instead of having students read this page, lead them through the side notes, using the entries as examples. Students can find many more examples and deeper information on pages 266–269.

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.910.RI.1.1
TEKS Standard:
110.36.c.4.F, 110.36.c.5.C, 110.36.c.7.D, 110.36.c.7.E, 110.37.c.4.F, 110.37.c.5.C, 110.37.c.7.D, 110.37.c.7.E
NE ELA Standard:
LA 10.1.6.g

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 9Grade 10
Mode:
Research Writing
Form:
Research Report
English Language Arts:
ReadingWriting

Page 259 from Write Ahead

Writing Guidelines

Use this page to help students get started with their research papers. First, students should use the PAST strategy to understand the rhetorical situation of their research reports.

The next task, of course, is to select a topic that will work well for a research paper. Direct students toward topics they are studying in your class or other classes. Often, a research report can both reinforce English/language arts skills and content-area knowledge. Once students find a strong topic, have them narrow it to a specific focus suitable to a research report.

After students have a topic, have them freewrite to discover their prior knowledge about it. Then have them devise research questions like those at the bottom of the page, which relate to the sample report.

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.910.W.1.2
TEKS Standard:
110.36.c.9, 110.36.c.10.B

Related Resource Tags

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Level:
Grade 9Grade 10
Mode:
Research Writing
Form:
Research Report
English Language Arts:
Writing ProcessPrewriting

Page 260 from Write Ahead

Prewriting: Gathering Details

Let your students know what kinds of sources you expect them to use, and how many of each type. Students should keep a list of the sources they find, with the key details for each source. (This list does not yet need to be in Modern Language Association format.)

Students should also take notes from their sources. They can do so any number of ways, including using note-taking software or note cards, as shown on this page. Students can also simply create a computer file that lists a source and provides key notes beneath it. The method for note taking is less important than the process of carefully engaging sources.

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.910.W.1.2
TEKS Standard:
110.36.c.9, 110.36.c.10.B

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 9Grade 10
Mode:
Research Writing
Form:
Research Report
English Language Arts:
Writing ProcessPrewriting

Page 261 from Write Ahead

Forming a Thesis Statement and Organizing Support

Use the approach at the top of the page to help students form effective thesis statements. Then have them use these thesis statements at the start of their outlines.

Help them understand that an outline is a way to not only set details in order, but also layer them. The Roman numerals indicate main points, and the letters indicate supporting details. Students can even make deeper indents and use numbers or hash marks to show even more details. In this way, outlining not only organizes details for drafting but also makes visible the student's thinking.

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.910.W.1.2
TEKS Standard:
110.36.c.9, 110.36.c.10.B

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 9Grade 10
Mode:
Research Writing
Form:
Research Report
English Language Arts:
Writing ProcessPrewriting

Page 262 from Write Ahead

Writing the First Draft

When your students are ready to draft their research reports, lead them through this information about creating a strong beginning. Help them understand that the beginning needs to grab the reader's attention and lead to the thesis statement. Highlight the four strategies for grabbing readers' attention, and note that the sample uses the first strategy.

Then let students create their beginning paragraphs.

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.910.W.1.2
TEKS Standard:
110.36.c.9, 110.36.c.10.B

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 9Grade 10
Mode:
Research Writing
Form:
Research Report
English Language Arts:
Writing ProcessWriting

Page 263 from Write Ahead

Writing the Middle and Closing Paragraphs

When your students are ready to write the rest of their essays, lead them through the material on this page. Point out how the writer layers information: main point, supporting detail, explanation, and quotation. Instead of simply listing ideas, the writer develops them in a deeper structure.

Then lead students through the instruction and example for creating an effective closing paragraph.

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.910.W.1.2
TEKS Standard:
110.36.c.9, 110.36.c.10.B

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 9Grade 10
Mode:
Research Writing
Form:
Research Report
English Language Arts:
Writing ProcessWriting

Page 264 from Write Ahead

Revising

After your students complete their first drafts, present the material on this page to help them create major improvements.

Also, provide them the Revising Checklist to guide their changes and the Response Sheet to facilitate constructive peer-response sessions.

Downloads:
State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.910.W.1.2
TEKS Standard:
110.36.c.9, 110.36.c.10.B

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 9Grade 10
Mode:
Research Writing
Form:
Research Report
English Language Arts:
Writing ProcessRevising

Page 265 from Write Ahead

Editing: Checking for Correctness

Use the "Editing in Action" feature to demonstrate how to mark corrections in revised drafts. Then download and distribute the Research Report Editing Checklist to help students polish their final drafts.

You and your students can assess their final drafts using the Research Rubric.

Downloads:
State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.910.L.1.1
TEKS Standard:
110.36.c.1.C, 110.36.c.9.D, 110.37.c.1.C, 110.37.c.9.D
NE ELA Standard:
LA 10.2.1.d, LA 10.2.1.h

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 9Grade 10
Mode:
Research Writing
Form:
Research Report
English Language Arts:
Writing ProcessEditing

Page 266 from Write Ahead

Using MLA Documentation

During the drafting phase or afterward (since most students will work with computers), teach them the Modern Language Association (MLA) standards for creating  in-text citations. Emphasize that citations do two jobs:

  • Give credit to sources for their ideas
  • Help readers find the sources to explore the topic further

Correct MLA format is important, but mostly to achieve these two purposes.

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.910.W.2.6
TEKS Standard:
110.36.c.9.E, 110.37.c.9.E
NE ELA Standard:
LA 10.2.1.j

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 9Grade 10
Mode:
Research Writing
Form:
Research Report
English Language Arts:
Writing

Page 267 from Write Ahead

Adding an MLA Works-Cited Page

Teach students that the in-text citations point to a works-cited page, which gives complete information for each source. The 8th edition of the Modern Language Association Style Guide has deemphasized the mode of publication (print, Web, and so on) to focus instead on the content quoted. This page and the next give guidelines and examples for the major parts of any citation on the works-cited page. Students will find optional elements on page 269.

Read the explanation for each major element and lead students through the examples.

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.910.W.1.2
TEKS Standard:
110.36.c.9, 110.36.c.10.B

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 9Grade 10
Mode:
Research Writing
Form:
Research Report
English Language Arts:
Writing

Page 268 from Write Ahead

Adding an MLA Works-Cited Page (Cont.)

Continue leading students through the instructions and examples for creating entries for their works-cited pages,

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.910.W.1.2
TEKS Standard:
110.36.c.9, 110.36.c.10.B

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 9Grade 10
Mode:
Research Writing
Form:
Research Report
English Language Arts:
Writing

Page 269 from Write Ahead

Optional Elements

Lead students through the elements on this page. Help them understand that these are just additional pieces of information that may or may not apply to the sources they have found.

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.910.W.1.2
TEKS Standard:
110.36.c.9, 110.36.c.10.B

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 9Grade 10
Mode:
Research Writing
Form:
Research Report
English Language Arts:
Writing