How to Write up the Background Research

THE BACKGROUND RESEARCH PAPERby Deborah Bogard for the students of the Advanced Science Program in the Delaware City Schools : 

THE BACKGROUND RESEARCH PAPERby Deborah Bogard for the students of the Advanced Science Program in the Delaware City Schools

How well do YOU communicate? : 

How well do YOU communicate?

What does theBackground Research Paper (BRP)include? : 

What does theBackground Research Paper (BRP)include? Introduction paragraph Body – multiple paragraphs Conclusion paragraph Length: 2 - 5 typed pages

First Paragraph: Introduction : 

SHORT – about 6 sentences Introduces the project Arouses the reader’s interest Orients the reader to topic Puts the Background Research into the proper context First Paragraph: Introduction

Introduction Paragraph should include… : 

An opening “hook” Research question Purpose of the project (i.e. what is hoped to be learned) Hypothesis How hypothesis will be tested (brief, general description of experiment – a sentence or two) Introduction Paragraph should include…

Body: What you’ve learned : 

Explain… The science behind the research topic and experiment Important principles, theories, facts, and formulas Clarify and correctly use specialized terms (vocabulary) throughout the paper Body: What you’ve learned

Concluding Paragraph: Addressing “So What?” : 

Tie your project to the real world How and to whom this area of research might matter and be important Problems that this type of research could possibly address Potential applications for this type of research (including how it’s currently being researched by others) Concluding Paragraph: Addressing “So What?”

Before You Start Writing: : 

Before You Start Writing: Finish research and note taking! Check over your SLLRP questions – did you get all needed info? Develop a general outline Plan separate paragraphs for major sub-topics, concepts, principles, theories

Formatting for the BRP: : 

Formatting for the BRP: Page title: Background Research (bold type, centered) Black ink Size 12 font of a standard type (Times, Ariel, etc.) (when in doubt, ask teacher)

Formatting for the BRP: : 

Double line spacing 1” to 1-1/4” margins all around Paragraph subtitles not necessary but okay to use Formatting for the BRP:

Paragraph Format: : 

Paragraph Format: Indent first line Topic sentence - clear and engaging to the reader Supporting detail (elaborate on facts, explanations, examples, etc.) Paragraphs = generally 3-8 sentences

Technical Writing Style : 

Technical Writing Style Formal and scholarly sounding but be sure you understand what you write! Written in 3rd person avoid referring to yourself or the reader (no I, me, my you, your, we, us, our, etc.)

Writing Your First Draft : 

Writing Your First Draft Purpose: Get your ideas out Flesh out your thoughts Later, shape it into a finished piece of writing

Writing Your First Draft : 

Technique: Explore the ideas as you write Try to get it all out of your head and onto the page Don’t worry overmuch about the order Don't let yourself get stuck! Having a problem with a section? leave it go on with your writing come back to it later Writing Your First Draft

Writing Your First Draft : 

DO NOT spend time fixing things DO NOT bother yet about spelling or grammar. Start editing AFTER 1st draft is finished Writing Your First Draft

Use Your Brain Don’t Plagiarize! : 

Use Your Brain Don’t Plagiarize! Be careful: use your own words and “voice” as you write Some direct quotes are allowable No more than 10% of the entire report Bracket quotes in “ “ and place author’s name at the end of the quote in ( ).

Correct Quotation Formatting : 

Correct Quotation Formatting “There is no such thing as good writing, only good rewriting.” (Ernest Hemingway) “Reading maketh a full man, discussion a ready man, and writing an exact man.” (Francis Bacon) “In science the important thing is to modify and change one's ideas as science advances.” (Herbert Spencer)

Bibliography Rules : 

Bibliography Rules Minimum* of 5 sources Must be alphabetized by the first word(s) of each entry Must be properly capitalized *NOTE: Meeting the minimum requirement does NOT ensure the maximum grade!

Bibliography Rules : 

Bibliography Rules Single line spacing within each entry Double line spacing between entries Each entry starts “Flush Left” (against left margin) – additional lines are indented.

Bibliography Example : 

Bibliography Example Want more formatting details? -MLA handbooks - found online or at libraries Campbell. Neil A., Reece, Jane B., Mitchell, Lawrence G., Biology. 5th ed. Menlo Park, CA: Addison Wesley Longman, Inc., 1999.   “Chapter 2: Classification of Wetlands.” Bogs. Carada’s Aquatic Environments. 1 Nov 2006. <http://www.aquatic.uogelph.ca/wetlands/chapter2/bogs.htm>.   Dahl, Thomas E. “History of the Wetlands in Conterminous United States.” National Water Summary on Wetland Resources. US Fish and Wildlife Service. 7 Nov 2006 <http://fermat.nap.edu/books/ >.    Mitsch, William J. “Wetlands.” Access Science. 27 October, 2006. Access Science. 27 Oct 2006. <http://www.accessscience.com/serverjava/Arlenoid/science/AS/>.   Philip, George. “Wetlands.” Philip’s Millennium Encyclopedia and World Atlas. 1999.   "Soils." Wetlands. 25 July 2006. University of Minnesota. 28 Nov 2006 <http://sci.cfans.umn.edu/StudProj/Wetlands2.html>.

AFTER you finish your first draft: : 

AFTER you finish your first draft: CORRECT YOUR “PUCS” ! Punctuation Usage Capitalization Spelling

For further information… : 

For further information… http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/677/01/