Below you will see a basic list of steps that we have taken during the process of putting together a research paper. Consult this list especially if you are ready to move ahead or if you have dragged behind.

Research Process:

1. examine a research paper – what are its characteristics?
2. reflect on understandings of the research process, past experiences, and possible topics
3. brainstorm together for possible topics
4. introduction to the works cited entry – memorize the basic book entry
   1. practice daily, leading to quiz
5. introduction to note cards – the basic formatting (example on line)
   1. go to library, find a source, practice 3 of them (1 source, 2 notes)
6. Find a non-Internet source and begin the note taking process
7. Declare a topic, construct a working thesis
8. reflection 2 – how’s the process going?
9. evaluating websites – review the Downer's Grove Research Guide
10. introduction to databases – research with them
11. practice at evaluating websites – isolated rehearsal
12. pursue the research process
13. works cited – using the resources that exist
    1. easybib.com
    2. how to format the page
14. reflect on the process – the research is finished (looking behind, looking ahead)
15. organizing the research (note cards and online info laid out)

Writing Process:

16. review the thesis – does it still cover the information found?
17. Outline
    1. define three or four main categories
    2. review the outline shape, protocol
    3. critique headings and their relation to thesis
    4. create the outline (typed), include in it the note card references (the word at the top of the card that defines that card and the #)
18. lesson on citations – what they are and why
    1. plagiarism
    2. author/page formatting (linked back to the inserting quotes from Odysseus and Me)
19. begin the supporting paragraph
    1. review of topic sentences
    2. review of clinchers
    3. hand one in for inspection
20. begin the introduction
    1. no cited info here
    2. link back to essay’s lesson
21. begin the conclusion
    1. no cited info here
    2. link back to essay’s lesson
22. Final Works Cited polishing
23. Peer editing