Lord of the Flies Research Paper

Introduction

LORD OF THE FLIES RESEARCH PAPER

What is a research paper? 

A research paper is a document in which you prove or defend a thesis with options, ideas, facts, and/or statements from reliable, intellectual others. 

What is a thesis? 

A thesis is a statement that can be proved.

Do not confuse this for a fact. For example: The narrator of Charlotte Perkins Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper" goes insane. This is a fact. A thesis might be the following: The narrator of Charlotte Perkins Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper" goes insane because society limits her female individuality and agency. 

Task

Every freshman, according to Buncombe County Schools English Curriculum, must write a three-page research paper. 

Your paper must... 

  1. Be focused with a clear thesis statement or claim.
  2. Demonstrate logical structure and organization that is appropriate for audience and purpose
  3. Demonstrate understanding of the subject
  4. Use transitional words to create cohesion and to present a logical progression of ideas
  5. Be written in a formal style appropriate for intended audience
  6. Accurately use at least three wisely-chosen and credible sources from a variety of source types
  7. Accurately use quotes and paraphrases, synthesizing ideas from multiple sources. 
  8. Identify and attribute sources in text
  9. Accurately use quotes and paraphrases from your multiple sources. 
  10. Have correct MLA in-text documentation and works cited page

Process

HOW DO YOU WRITE A RESEARCH PAPER? 

  1. Select a topic.
  2. Reserach your topic. 
  3. Develop a thesis based on your research. 
  4. Write a very rough draft. 
  5. Reverse outline to organize your paper. 
  6. Revise your paper. 
  7. Organize Works Cited page. 
  8. Type, proofread, and edit. 
  9. Submit. 

Each step of the research process has multiple steps witin it. As we progress through these next few weeks, I will add information to this WebQuest (so as not to overwhelm you). 

Today we will focus on Step One: Selecting a Topic. 

In the beginning of your research, your topic is pretty general. The more you research, the more narrow and specfic your topic becomes. 

Choose a topic that interests you. In choosing a suitable topic, ask yourself the following questions:

  1. Is there enough information on my topic?
  2. Do I have time to gather all the sources I need?
  3. Will I be able to narrow this topic?
  4. Will I be able to develop an interesting thesis from this topic?
  5. Is this interesting enough for me to explore?
  6. Will I be able to cover the topic in the assigned length of paper? 

The beginning of the research process, the topic is usually general. Our "broad topic" is our essential questions. Our "narrowed topics" are the following: 

The Stanford Prison Experiment 

http://www.prisonexp.org/

http://www.simplypsychology.org/zimbardo.html

Cyberbullying 

https://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/what-is-it/

http://cyberbullying.org/

Agression among athletes 

http://believeperform.com/education/aggression-in-sport-2/

http://www.ncaa.org/health-and-safety/sport-science-institute/mind-body…

Aggression and bullying among girls 

http://socialethology.com/tactics-of-female-aggression

http://psychcentral.com/lib/competition-among-women-myth-and-reality/

Aggression as studied in fruit flies 

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/04/science/to-study-aggression-a-fight-c…

https://www.bcm.edu/news/molecular-and-human-genetics/gene-knockdown-ag…

Your task:

For the rest of the class, I want you to lightly research each topic through the resources under each topic. Ask yourself, "What exactly is the Stanford Prison Experiment?" or "What is cyberbullying? Why is is problematic?"

Based on your minor, causal research, decide which on of these topics you would like to explore for your research project. 

Before you leave class write the topic you are choosing to explore on the index card I've given you. Also write your second-choice topic and your third-choice topic. This will be your ticket to leave.