1.1. Define the problem

1.2 Identify the information requirements

Task: you will research a major event in world history and write about it from the point of view of one of its participants

Notes:

What do I need to know?
Who:  what were the civilizations that were in conflict?  Who are the main players (names, titles, etc.)
What:  What literally happened?  What is the time sequence of events? 
Where:  In order to create a character’s setting, what towns were important?  What was the architecture like?  What kind of housing did different social classes have?  What did the town itself look life in terms of layout?  How big was it?  What was the culture like?  Dress?  Food?  Animals?  Religion?
When:  What dates were important?  In a modern conflict, what time of the day did major events happen?  What was the sequence of events?
Why:  the source of the conflict?  Was it religious?  Economic?  Political?  Illness?    How did it start?
How:  How many people died – how did they die?  How is YOUR character personally affected?  What kinds of weapons were used?  What were the medical abilities of the time? 

TOPICS

• Your paper can be in the form of:
  • a story
  • journal
  • formal account (such as a participant might write for a history book) 
• It must include dates, places, and facts taken from your research to ground it in the real event 
• Your point of view can be from anyone who might have taken part in the event:
  • conqueror in a battle
  • peasant affected by a revolution
  • family member affected by a natural disaster 

Due dates:

Topic choice: Monday, December 3 (we will be in the library that day)
Rough draft:  Wednesday, December 19th
Final paper:  Monday, January 7th

2.1 Determine kinds of sources

2.2 Prioritize sources

Books, Internet, databases, newspapers

Books: have older, but more carefully researched, information

Databases: current and reliable information - depending on your topic, may be too limited

Internet: more current information, but need to be careful; look for credentials

3.1 Locate actual resources

3.2 Locate information

Books: 900's; search the Online Catalog with your event or country name

Databases:

Internet: Google, but be careful of credentials - do NOT use travel agency sites!

(Remember that Wikipedia is NEVER academically acceptable.)

4.1 Engage (read, view, interview)

4.2 Extract (make notes)

Take notes electronically, making sure to capture info for citation.

Citation generator

5.1 Organize information

5.2 Present information

The Works Cited page will be handed in separately.

Make sure that your Works Cited page is following MLA formatting: 1" margins, 12 point Times New Roman font, with resources in alphabetical order in hanging format.

Use proper MLA date formatting:

Heading: 21 October 2009

Citation: 21 Oct 2009

PDF example of Works Cited

Technical Help with MS Word 2007

Parenthetical citations and other MLA concerns

MLA Basics for HS Students

6.1 Judge the product

6.2 Judge the process

Did you use credentialed sources? Did you paraphrase correctly, putting ideas and facts in your own words?

What did you learn about research?