Ninth Grade Argument Essay

  • 1. Find an interest area for your project.  Interest areas can be found by reading newspapers and watching news broadcasts.  You can also find interest areas by browsing through the index of a database or a website to see lists of suggested topics. You will need to narrow your focus to an issue. Human Rights is too big--narrow to race and then to racial profiling by police and the justice system. Make sure that there are multiple arguments/lines of reasoning sufficient sources available on both sides of the issue. 

    Type the term Debate Topics in a a browser search window.  You'll get a list of websites and each website has debate topics.

    Some of the databases on Spokane Public Library's website have lists of topics. Search through these lists of topics. You'll need to use your library card to access these databases.

    These  databases have lists of topics, also called indexes.  Here's a video on how to find the indexes and how to use them. 

    2. Get an overview (background information) of the topic. Background information includes the 5 Ws: Who, What, When, Where and Why/How.  

    • Read through articles in the Gale in Context databases listed above​.
    • Read through the Topic Overview article in Explora Magazines database.
    • Read the sources listed at the end of Wikipedia articles.

    3. Write a research question. 

    What are the negative and positive effects of social media on teenagers?
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    4. A search term organizer will help you identify search terms to use as you search for information. 
    Use your search terms i different combinations and begin searching .  Use  quotation marks around phrases where you want the words searched together and in the same order.

    This video explains how to search for articles in Explora Magazines database.

    5. Record any sources that look promising in a working bibliography. This bibliography will make it easier for you to access these sources again.

    Sample annotated bibliography 

       Open a new Word document.  Follow this process for each source that looks promising: 

    • Copy the MLA source citation.
    • If the source is from a website or database, copy and paste the URL for the article under the citation.
    • Write an annotation (short paragraph).  This should be a minimum of two sentences.   
    •  Sentence 1: Describe the format (website, database article, video, interview, etc.)  and summarize the purpose of the  source.
      Sentence 2:  Explain what this source could contribute to your project.  

     6.  Skim and Scan sources. Use your research questions to evaluate the usefulness of a resource. Let your eyes move quickly. Don't do a slow, careful reading.  Look for articles that will answer your research questions.

     SCAN:

    •  Read through the index at the back of a book and the table of contents at the front of a book.
    • When you find a heading or chapter that looks useful, turn to the page(s) and skim to see if that page or section has the information you need.
    •  In print and non-print sources, read the special text features such as bold text, headings and  
       subheadings.  These indicate large and important sections of information.
    •  Read the captions under illustrations.
    •  Terms or phrases that appear more than once in a source indicate that an idea is important.

    SKIM:

    • Read the first and last paragraph of an article.  Read the first sentence of each supporting paragraph.

    FIND ON THIS PAGE:

    • After opening a digital source, find the Edit menu in your browser (upper left hand corner next to File). Scroll down to Find On This Page.  Enter a term or phrase in the search window.  The term or phrase will be highlighted each time it occurs in the source.

    7. Evaluate sources using the lateral reading technique.   COMING SOON.

    8.  Sort through your sources by reviewing your annotated bibliography.  Remove entries to articles that aren't relevant.

    9. Print, photocopy, or save the sources that will contribute valuable information to your project.

    10. Organize articles from information sources.

    • Most of the articles in Gale databases,  Explora Magazines, and Proquest are in PDF format.  PDFs can be saved into a folder in OneDrive.
    • Some articles are in HTML format.  Copy and paste the text from those articles into a Word document and then save it.
    • Use the OneNote web clipper to save articles and videos from databases.  Click here for a video that explains how to use OneNote web clipper.

    11. Read, highlight and annotate sources.

    • Now you are ready to do a slow, careful reading of your articles.
    • As you read, look for information that answers your research questions.
    • Highlight or underline words and phrases that answer your research questions.  Highlight sparingly.  Too much is almost as bad as none at all
    • Write an annotation next to the highlighted information.  That annotation should include a key word (i.e. cell phones, National Security, technology and privacy) from your research question and a short phrase explaining how it answers the question.

    Here is an example of an article that is highlighted and annotated. It includes a source number.

    12. Record the main arguments for each side of the issue.
    As you read, highlight and annotate sources,  you may find that your understanding of this issue changes or that you have gaps in your research.  If that is the case, you'll need to change your research question or your search terms and repeat at least part of the research process.

    13. Take notes using this organizer.

    15. Write an outline from your notes.
     
    16. Write a rough draft from your notes and outline.
     
    17. Type a final draft of your paper.     Type it (including the annotated works cited list) in MLA format using these resources.