Writing Workshop for Mini-Research Paper

What is a completed mini-research paper?


- This assignment ASSUMES you have read AT LEAST the three articles for the topic you have chosen for the paper (research OR commerce OR ethics).


- Topic/ content is directly related ONLY to the nine articles from the New York Times series “The DNA Age.” No other sources are allowable for this paper.


- FIVE TOTAL PAGES (typed, one-inch margins, double-spaced in 12 point, Times Roman font) including cover page, three (3) pages of the written mini-research paper and Works Cited page following correct M.L.A. format.


- Original writing by the student.


- Shows use of in-text citations with relevant information selected from the assigned articles.


Schedule for the Writing Workshop

Monday, January 12 – Writing the first draft


MEET IN ROOM B15


1. What you will do: Write freely for 20 or so minutes using the paper from last Friday’s class on your topic. Then, find places where you can have an opinion and write some more about the topic. Include what you know from reading the three articles on your topic.


2. Why you are doing it: First steps in writing the mini-research paper without thinking about research or trying to include research


3. What you will show: At least 2-3 pages of writing ONLY on your topic (research, commerce or ethics)


4. How you will know you are successful: A review of the writing shows you stayed on topic, included information from recall and tried to have an opinion about the issue(s)


5. Expected product at end of the lesson: Save the document – DO NOT PRINT – File name: Lastname_DNAResearchPaper_E7Gagnon



Tuesday, January 13 – Including in-text citations


MEET IN ROOM B15

1. What you will do: Re-read yesterday’s writing, go to the links at the left side for the articles on your topic. Skim the articles and copy/paste sentences you can add to your paper. Use sentence starters (see below in #3) to integrate the information (this is called the in-text citation). Add additional writing to support what you have copied/pasted into your paper. Explain why you have included this information and how it helps you make your point. Open Bedford Bibliographer and create an account. File name should be DNA Research Paper. Add information for each New York Times article you will use.


2. Why you are doing it: Next steps in writing the mini-research paper: move from my own ideas to include the ideas and information form the research sources (the articles)


3. What you will show: Selective use and inclusion of ideas and information taken directly from the articles and placed in the paper in a meaningful way


4. How you will know you are successful: A review of the writing shows you included relevant information from the sources, properly cited the sources (in-text citations), used quotation marks to show direct quoting and added additional writing


5. Expected product at end of the lesson: Save the document – PRINT ONE COPY with name, date and period on top of the paper and hand in to Mr. Gagnon for tomorrow’s peer review activity



Wednesday, January 14 – Peer editing / review


MEET IN ROOM 115


1. What you will do: Mr. Gagnon will randomly hand out the available papers to students for peer review. You will follow protocol on the board for Warm / Cool feedback


2. Why you are doing it: To pause in the writing process to receive “directional feedback”: what does another student tell me about (1) what I have written so far, (2) what I need to write more about and (3) how I can effectively integrate the sources (in-text citations)


3. What you will show: Inter-dependency: ALL students have TWO jobs! Pay the fullest attention and effort in reading a peer’s paper and writing feedback AND make an effort to get at least THREE students to do the same for you!


4. How you will know you are successful: You can staple to your draft THREE different peer review responses with feedback to help you revise the next draft


5. Expected product at end of the lesson: See #4 above.


Thursday, January 15 – Additional writing and revising


MEET IN ROOM B15


1. What you will do: Open the saved document from Tuesday. Get from Mr. G your paper with stapled feedback from yesterday. Consider how you will add additional writing, make changes, make corrections and consult the articles again to make the changes recommended in the feedback.


2. Why you are doing it: Third steps in the writing process: A closer look at the writing to include feedback from class mates who are writing the same assignment. This is the third draft and fourth step in the writing process after thinking and brainstorming about the topic last week. Each draft should show further effort at organizing your main ideas, supporting an opinion on the topic and “digging deeper” with the kinds of information and writing included in the paper.


3. What you will show: A revised draft from Tuesday.


4. How you will know you are successful: A review of the writing will show substantial changes to TONE, ORGANIZATION, USE OF SOURCES and IN-TEXT CITATIONS.


5. Expected product at end of the lesson: Save the document – DO NOT PRINT!



Friday, January 16 – Final thesis statement and works cited page


MEET IN ROOM B15


1. What you will do: Open the saved document from Thursday. Re-read the entire paper without typing anything. Then, look at the introduction. Use the underscore tool to underline the sentence that states both your topic and your position on the topic. You do not have to prove anything in your paper, you do have to have something to say about the issue. Re-write this sentence until it shows exactly what you have written in the rest of your paper. Make changes as necessary. Copy and paste the Bedford Bibliographer page to your last page of the paper. Typed Works Cited at the top of the last page.


2. Why you are doing it: Fourth steps in the writing process: revising the thesis statement so that it represents the content of the paper.


3. What you will show: A clearly stated thesis statement underscored for emphasis and a completed Works Cited page. Create the Cover Page as shown on the board.


4. How you will know you are successful: See #3 above.


5. Expected product at end of the lesson: Save the document – PRINT ONE COPY and hand in!