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.
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 myth timed essay is the 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. However, for this paper assignment, we will focus only on
internet
sources.
Once you have a working research question, the next step is to research the internet and complete an annotated bibliography (five sources). As you uncover new information, take note of your experience. Be sure to apply what you have discovered to the question itself, adjusting as necessary. You must be willing to readjust your question and be open to changing your mind.
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. You may argue a position, but
this is not an "argument" paper.
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 and Bnnotated Bibliography
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.
The Annotated Bibliography is placed last, after the Works Cited.
Remember, the A-Bib is a free standing piece of writing as well as the
basis for your paper. As such it is worth five points separate fro the
final paper grade.