Traditional research papers are a required form of writing in middle school and high school, meeting state and national standards for teaching writing. However, teachers and students often dread this type of assignment, which usually becomes bloated with long quotations, fillers, and bad writing. Students don't like writing research papers and teachers don't like reading them and grading them.
Alternative forms of the research paper often include less writing and multimedia components without diminishing the research and writing process. The I-Search Paper is a popular alternative to the research paper.
The first step in writing an I-Search paper is to choose a topic.
How to Choose a Research Topic
An important key to writing an I-Search Paper is to choose a topic that is important to and relevant to the writer. The writer should choose a topic she feels strongly about and may have some prior knowledge about. A topic should be broad enough that plenty of information can be found on the topic during the research process, but specific enough to narrow the search to the most relevant and interesting sources.
A topic such as "endangered species" is too large, and narrowing it down to "How Fishing Practices Harm Dolphins" will make the research process easier and more rewarding.
The Research Process
Conducting research for the I-Search Paper is very similar to the process used when writing a traditional research paper. Students should gather information from a variety of sources such as books, periodicals, documentaries, interviews, and websites.
The difference between conducting research for an I-Search versus a traditional research paper is that the student will want to keep track of the research process, making notes about what was discovered and learned, and how the project has changed the student as a writer and researcher.
Purpose and Audience in Writing
After choosing a topic, it is important to have a clear purpose for writing about that topic. The more the writer is interested in and passionate about the topic, the stronger the sense of purpose. The writer should make notes about why the topic is important and why she has chosen to research and write about that topic. If writing for a broad or general audience, the writer should be sure to define terms and avoid jargon.
Writing an I-Search Paper
In the paper itself, the writer goes beyond simply reporting and presenting the information, as in a traditional research paper, by also reflecting on the research and writing process. An I-Search should be written in first person and include the following elements:
- Background information on the topic
- A description of the research process
- A description of how the writer or researcher has changed or evolved because of this project
- Presentation of one or two major findings about the topic, supported with examples
- A reflection on what was learned and how the writer has developed as a writer and researcher
- A list of resources and references in the form of a Bibliography or Works Cited
Revising and Editing for Better Writing
One of the most important steps in the writing process is revising and then editing to create a final draft. The revising process should consist of rereading the paper and also having at least one other person read the paper, usually a fellow student or writer.
In addition to revising for clarity and length, and making sure that the paper meets all of the required elements, the writer should also check for accuracy, making sure to double-check facts, statistics, citations, and the spelling of names and important terminology.
Teachers and students will find the I-Search Paper to be a more interesting, informative, and rewarding form of research and will also find it to be an effective alternative to the traditional research paper.
Sandra Raymond - Sandra Raymond is a writer, teacher, and new mom living in Flagstaff, Arizona. She has an MA in Literature and a Doctorate in Education ...
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