In 6th grade, students are expected to compose an informational writing piece about a topic that requires research from multiple sources. This writing piece must demonstrate the student's ability to produce an organized, evidence-filled essay that uses both direct quotes and paraphrased sentences. Also required are citations after each body paragraph, transitional phrases to create cohesion, and a bibliography to list all the sources used in this research process.
Before beginning your research, I'd like you to watch this important video.
When asked to "provide evidence from the text," this just means that you have look for lines in the text that you can use to support your thoughts/writing. When you do this, you may choose to either quote the line(s) word-for-word, or paraphrase. Regardless, it is effective to use the key phrases like those below to lead in to your evidence:
- According to ______, ______.
- In the article ______ it says that _____.
- Based on _____'s article _____, ____.
Example:
According to the "World Wildlife" website, polar bears are "considered marine mammals because they spend most of their lives on the sea ice of the Arctic Ocean" ("World Wildlife").
For specific rules on quoting lines of text, please refer to this website and/or watch this quick video.
Paraphrasing - putting research into your own words.
Strategies:
- use synonyms
- take out words
- add words
- change sentence structure
- flip/flop beginning and ending
- join two thoughts together
- break up into two sentences
Remember, just using one of these strategies is NOT enough of a change. Use multiple strategies for one sentence.
Check out this PARAPHRASING site for an explanation and lots of practice!
Use CITATIONS to show the reader the source from which you gathered your information. Citations provide the source of information within parentheses. (see the illustration below)
Before beginning your research, I'd like you to watch this important video.
When asked to "provide evidence from the text," this just means that you have look for lines in the text that you can use to support your thoughts/writing. When you do this, you may choose to either quote the line(s) word-for-word, or paraphrase. Regardless, it is effective to use the key phrases like those below to lead in to your evidence:
- According to ______, ______.
- In the article ______ it says that _____.
- Based on _____'s article _____, ____.
Example:
According to the "World Wildlife" website, polar bears are "considered marine mammals because they spend most of their lives on the sea ice of the Arctic Ocean" ("World Wildlife").
For specific rules on quoting lines of text, please refer to this website and/or watch this quick video.
Paraphrasing - putting research into your own words.
Strategies:
- use synonyms
- take out words
- add words
- change sentence structure
- flip/flop beginning and ending
- join two thoughts together
- break up into two sentences
Remember, just using one of these strategies is NOT enough of a change. Use multiple strategies for one sentence.
Check out this PARAPHRASING site for an explanation and lots of practice!
Use CITATIONS to show the reader the source from which you gathered your information. Citations provide the source of information within parentheses. (see the illustration below)
General citation rules:
Depending on your source, the information within your citation will differ. In general, you will have to refer to your bibliography page and use the first portion of that particular source. For example, if the author's name is provided, you will use this within your citation. However, if it's not provided, you will use the title of the article/site/book/presentation. Also, if the page number is provided, this should be recorded within each parentheses.
For specific rules on using citations, please refer to the this website.
Depending on your source, the information within your citation will differ. In general, you will have to refer to your bibliography page and use the first portion of that particular source. For example, if the author's name is provided, you will use this within your citation. However, if it's not provided, you will use the title of the article/site/book/presentation. Also, if the page number is provided, this should be recorded within each parentheses.
For specific rules on using citations, please refer to the this website.
Transitions
Transitions are words or phrases that help make connections between thoughts. Depending on the situation, there are many ways you can do this. Please refer to the sites below for some examples of transitions.
Transition website #1
Transition website #2
These transitions can be placed within a paragraph, or at the beginning of a paragraph, depending on the situation.
Download the following worksheets to practice transitions:
connecting_ideas_with_transitions.pdf | |
File Size: | 182 kb |
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correct_the_transition_mistakes.pdf | |
File Size: | 274 kb |
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using_transition_words.pdf | |
File Size: | 215 kb |
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Using an objective style and formal tone
When writing a research paper, your tone and style of writing is much different than that of a narrative piece. In general, here are a few rules of thumb to follow:
- do not use personal pronouns (my/our/we/I/ me/your/you/us)
- do not use slang (frenemy, busted, my bad)
- do not use abbreviations (b/c, info., U.S.)
- do not use text language (l8r, 2night)
- do not show bias (no opinions)
When writing a research paper, your tone and style of writing is much different than that of a narrative piece. In general, here are a few rules of thumb to follow:
- do not use personal pronouns (my/our/we/I/ me/your/you/us)
- do not use slang (frenemy, busted, my bad)
- do not use abbreviations (b/c, info., U.S.)
- do not use text language (l8r, 2night)
- do not show bias (no opinions)
Writing an introduction and conclusion
In addition to using the general outline provided in the visual above, you may use these helpful sites to guide you in this part of the writing process.
Website #1
Website #2
practice_writing_a_conclusion.pdf | |
File Size: | 266 kb |
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practice_writing_conclusion_2.pdf | |
File Size: | 175 kb |
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