Writing a Research Report (MLA Style)

Students will meet once a week to prepare and write a research report. Each week we will talk about the next step in their process. Students will research a topic of their choice, take notes, create an outline, and write a report in MLA format. During the last 2 weeks of class, kids will create a presentation and give an oral report on their topic.

Students should be able to read and write English at a 6th grade level or higher to be successful in this class.

Note: the schedule below may be adjusted as we progress through the semester.

Week 1: Choosing a Topic & Preparing
 - Review common research report terms
  - Complete the "Research Proposal" worksheet which includes choosing a topic and writing a thesis statement
 - Start a folder (electronic or paper) and discuss organizing materials
 - Complete the "Author Credibility" worksheet
 - Find 1 source and write the citation

WEek 2: Researching
 - Learn how to cite different kinds of sources
 - Find 4-5 more sources and read then (no note taking yet, just reading to learn)
 - Write the full citation for each source

Week 3: Begin Note Taking
 - Discuss how to take good notes and keep them organized according to source
 - Take 60+ notes

Week 4: Note Taking
 - Take 40+ more notes
 - Kids should have a minimum of 100 notes by next Wednesday, May 7
 - Lesson on how to categorize notes
 - Kids will categorize their notes

Week 5: Outline and Introduction Paragraph
 - Lesson on how to create an outline
 - Lesson on how to write introduction paragraph
 - For this week's homework, kids will complete an outline and their introduction paragraph

Week 6: Main Body Paragraphs with In-Text Citations
 - Lesson on how to write main body paragraphs with in-text citations. Kids will learn how to write a well-formatted paragraph that includes a topic sentence, several sentences with details that support the topic, and a conclusion sentence. Different kinds of conclusion sentences will be emphasized.
 - Lesson on writing in academic tone and voice
 - Homework will be to write 2 1/2+ pages of main body paragraphs

Week 7: Finish Main Body Paragraphs/Adding a Table
 - Lesson on how to add a table to a research report
 - Kids will write 2 1/2+ pages of written paragraphs plus add a table to their report

Week 8: Add a Figure
 - Lesson on how to add a figure (picture, graph, chart, etc.) to a research report
 - Kids will add a figure to their report
 - If any additional pages need to be written, this week allows for some extra time for that

Week 9: Creating a Works Cited page
 - Lesson on how to create the Works Cited page
 - Kids will create their works cited page

Week 10: Extra week for writing, asking questions, getting help on any areas kids might be struggling with

Week 11: Creating a Presentation
 - Kids will make a presentation in PowerPoint, Google Slides, Canva, or some other platform. It will include bullet points, graphics, and other information. They will have a lesson on how to create a good presentation along with an example. The presentations should not be complex, and no additional research is needed. It's just a way for kids to put together a visual document that highlights the main points of their topic. Next week they will have an opportunity to read/show their presentation to the class.

Week 12: Presentations
Kids will show their presentations and read through them. They do not need to have a speech written. They can just explain each slide in their presentation.