Research


From Research to Report
Mt. Saint Helens Example
     
1.	(15 points)  A brilliant opening or introductory paragraph. 
 At least six sentences that tell the reader what you have 
researched and written about.  The introductory paragraph does 
not use a lot of details from the research but speaks of them 
generally (in other words, tell the reader what lies ahead 
without giving it all away).

	In our example about Mt. Saint Helens Lava Domes, the first 
paragraph may discuss lava domes in general without giving away 
any details.  This will give the reader all the information about 
what the report is about while enticing the reader to continue 
reading to learn more.               

2.	(60 points)  Good content.  You need at least three 
paragraphs of details about your  topic - what you found in your 
research!  By the third draft, punctuation, grammar, and spelling 
should be perfect as well.

	Separate your notes into three or more parts about your 
topic.  Each part or idea or theme will be on whole paragraph. 
 For example, in our report on lava domes one paragraph have to 
do all about how a lava dome is formed.  The next paragraph could 
have to do with Mt. Saint HelenŐs lava dome, how big it was, how 
big it is now, how fast it has grown, and whatever else you 
found.  The third paragraph could be about the different types of
 lava domes and what part the lava dome plays in the formation of
 or the life of a volcano.

          
3.	(15 points)  A satisfying conclusion.  Your final paragraph 
needs to conclude what  you wrote about.  Let the reader know 
your thoughts and feelings about what you just researched and 
wrote.

	Wrap up what you wrote by concluding your report.   In the 
conclusion remind the reader briefly about the main points (or 
highlights) of your report.  What does it all mean?  What did you 
learn from it?  What does it mean to you?  The answers to these 
questions should be clear in your conclusion.

4.	(10 points)  A bibliography and you must give credit to all
 the resources you used like, books, encyclopedias, magazines, 
newspapers, radio or television program, video, internet, or the
 WWW.

	In our example, we used the WWW and found three sources.  
Here is an example of what a bibliography needs to include:

Author (last name, first if you can find an author).  "Title of 
the article (or web page)".  Complete URL.   Date you visited 
that web page unless you see a date on the web page (always use 
the web page date in day, month, year).

Here's our first Mt. Saint Helens site:

Lyn Topinka, USGS CVO.  "Pictogram - Size of Mt. Saint 
     Helens Lava Dome."  http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Photo/
     Pictograms/msh_dome_size.html.  14 May 1987.
Possible Grades

100 points = 100% = A+
94 to 99 point = A
90 to 93 points = A-
87 to 89 points = B+
84 to 86 points = B
80 to 83 points = B-
77 to 79 points = C+
74 to 76 points = C
70 to 73 points = C-
67 to 69 points = D+
64 to 66 points = D
60 to 63 points = D-
59 points or less = F