I-Search Paper:

American Cultural Myths

Description
The I-Search paper is designed to teach the writer and the reader something valuable about a chosen topic and the nature of research and discovery. As opposed to the standard research paper in which the writer usually assumes a detached and objective stance, the I-Search paper allows the writer to take an active role in the search, to hunt for facts and truths first hand, and to provide a step - by - step record of the discovery process.

Format

What I Know, Assume, or Imagine:
Before conducting any formal research, write a section in which you explain to the reader what you think you know, what you assume, or what you imagine about your topic. For example, you are in the process of developing this section on what you already know, assume or imagine about your topic. Your in-class timed writing can serve as a beginning of the I-Search process.

The Search
Test Your knowledge, assumptions, or conjectures by researching your topic thoroughly. For a traditional I-Search paper, you would be asked to consult books, articles magazines, newspapers, films, tapes, and other sources of information...and when possible, interview people familiar with your topic.

As you uncover new information, take notes and be sure to write up your experience while it is still fresh. These notes will be vital for writing this section of your paper. Be sure to apply what you have discovered to the question itself, adjusting as necessary.

Discuss your findings in this middle section. Your discussion should include an exploration of your topic using a specific research question as a framework. This section should help a reader more clearly understand not just the material you discovered, but your process of discovery as well.

Cite outside sources carefully in the body of your paper using clear signal phrases and any necessary background information and / or context for each source.

What I Discovered
Compare what you thought you knew, assumed, or imagined with what you actually discovered; offer some personal commentary and draw some conclusions. This section should be a fairly thorough reflection upon your actual learning experience. Therefore, do pay close attention to how your answer to the initial question may or may not have changed.

Works Cited
At the close of this paper, you will provide a Works Cited page, documenting the sources you used in your paper. Since you have been asked to compile an annotated bibliography of online resources for your topic, you will want to use Janice Walker's MLA style sheet for citing those online sources.

Due Dates: Vary by class. Check class schedules.
You may send questions to the class MOO *Lists or email me.

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