Research Paper – Bibliography & Note Cards

Bibliography
As part of the research process, you will keep a working annotated bibliography. This means that for every source that you have evaluated as being possibly good and considering using in your paper needs to be listed in a single document with the correct documentation format and notes about the value of the information in it.

You will likely use a number of sources that may not in fact be cited directly in your paper when the final draft is submitted. However, those uncited sources may have been instrumental for one reason or another during the process. For instance, you may have used some websites or general encyclopedias that were helpful in getting some preliminary background information. You should include it in your bibliography. Or you may have found an article that leads you to some other resources that were even more valuable. Add the original source to your bibliography with notes explaining this.

Here is an example of an Annotated Bibliography.

Note Cards
During the development of your research paper you will produce a number of note cards. Essentially, note cards are the evidence that you are gathering from your various sources that will support your thesis and the ideas put forth in your paper. You will need a variety of note cards from each source, and you should have at least one of each type of note card for every source you think you will use.

Types of Note Cards:

Summary – a brief statement that presents the main points in a concise form
Paraphrase – expressing the same message in different words
Direct Quote – a short note recognizing a source of information

Careful not to confuse summary and paraphrasing, they are not the same. A summary essentially condenses information, trying to capture only the essence of what is said. With paraphrasing you do not condense or cut down the material, you simply are rewording the same information. You have the most experience with direct quotations, so those should be no problem.

Here is a template that you can use with MS Word to generate note cards and print them.

Research Paper – Overview & Schedule

Purpose:
To master basic research skills by investigating the life and works of a fiction writer.

Research question:
What connections are there between the author’s life or experiences and their fiction?

Specifics:
Paper must exceed 1650+ words (5+ pages), not including works cited page.
You must reference at least 5 sources in the paper.
Research should demonstrate a variety of sources, such as:

• book(s)
• periodical(s)
• Galenet source(s)
• SIRS source(s)
• Infotrak source(s)
• Audio/Visual documentary

Deadlines:
Working Annotated Bibliography – 4/3
Note Cards (Set 1 | 25 cards)* – 4/3
Note Cards (Set 2 | 25 Cards)* – 4/9
Preliminary Outline – 4/13
Rough Draft – 4/13
Conferences – 4/23-25
Final Submission – 4/30

* Note card sets must include a variety of card types, including direct quotes, summary, and paraphrase, for each source.

A Separate Peace – Study Guide

As you prepare for the test on A Separate Peace, you should review the story breakdown guide that examines context, plot, character, theme, style. The test will involve all categories, with the exception of plot. It will be a short answer written examination.

Consider the folowing questions:

• How does the environment of the Devon School influence the conflict that develops between Gene and Finny?
• How does World War II affect the lives of the characters in A Separate Peace?
• How is the tree symbolic?
• What are the implications of the title A Separate Peace?
• How do the seasons foreshadow plot points in A Separate Peace?
• Why does Knowles use the flashback technique in the novel?
• Why does Gene jounce the limb? What are the consequences?
• Why does Finny’s say to Gene, “You want to break something else in me! Is that why you are here?” What are the implications?

As you prepare for the test next week, these are the kinds of analytical questions you should be able to answer thoroughly, demonstrating both evidence from the text and thoughtful commentary and analysis.

On a separate day, there will also be a written open response related specifically to the examination of character within the novel. The prompt will be related to your reader’s log and character of focus (Gene/Finny) while reading.