By the end of this lesson, we'll be able to:

• Understand what research writing is

• Research/explain a topic

Objective:

Research Writing

Research writing involves answering a question.

Research writing is the process of sharing the answer to your research question. With research writing, you include:

• evidence on which your answer is based,

• the sources you used, and

• your own reasoning and explanation.

"I can conduct research to answer a question, drawing from many valid and credible sources."

Standard C.4.1

Standard & Vocab

​Vocabulary

• ​credible: able to be believed

• valid: having a sound basis in logic & fact

• relevant: connected or related to the topic

Helpful Steps to Get Started

1. Find a topic (or use the one given to you)

2. Brainstorm (keywords, ideas, questions, etc.)

3. Find Good Sources (relevant, credible, & valid)

   1. Focus on educational websites, like for colleges or universities

   2. Avoid Wikipedia (more on that later)

   3. Make sure your information is up to date

The problem with Wikipedia is that it can be changed too easily by anybody. That makes research difficult.

NEVER USE WIKIPEDIA AS YOUR PRIMARY OR MAIN SOURCE!

That said, Wikipedia can be a good starting point. That means that you can use it to find other sources that are credible.

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About Wikipedia

​The purpose of research writing is to give an answer to a question. You must actually find the answer; they won't be given to you.

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Remember: