In this course, students will learn how to effectively research topics in order to prepare them for their senior paper and/or college freshman writing courses. They will learn steps needed in order to gather data and how to disaggregate that data into chunks for use in their research report. I will structure the class by using screen shares of slides, showing students how to use external sites, and by discussion and Q & A. We'll also look at sample papers, or parts of papers, to evaluate changes that need to be made.
Session 1: What is a research paper? Do you know how to write an effective thesis statement? 
Session 2: Identifying a topic and its feasibility for research. MLA vs. APA formatting.
Session 3: Narrowing down your topic, determining sources, deciding if you will use human (survey/interview) participants.
Session 4: Gaining permission for collection of human participant data, gathering ideas/note taking from written research.
Session 5: Writing an outline, determining your research timeline, ideas for surveys.
Session 6: Rough draft writing, editing, proofreading, tools to check your grammar and academic writing.
Session 7: Limiting Bias, checking your reference list for clear MLA/APA formatting.
Session 8: Sharing your findings orally and visually. Discussion of how you can use skills learned in this course in your future academic writing.