Transcript Research and Writing Elements OEU powerpoint

Research and Writing Elements
OEU #4
WHAT IS THE FOCUS OF THE RESEARCH?
 Main Topic
World War I
 Focused Category
Propaganda in the U.S.
 Decade
1910’s
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Main Topic
Aviation
 Focused Category
Charles Lindberg
 Decade
1920’s
 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Main Topic
The Depression
 Focused Category
The Dust Bowl
 Decade
1930’s
Research/Writing Requirements
• *Notes from history book on the main topic and the focused
category
• *Thumbnail research paragraphs – minimum of two from the
decade of your focused category

President

Decisions of the Federal Government

War

Newsworthy event

Person of interest – not a political figure

Science

New technology (including inventions)

Entertainment

Fads and fashion

Sports
WHERE AND HOW TO BEGIN
A journey of a thousand miles begins with the
first step.
1. You should have a preliminary idea about a decade or
main topic that you are interested in. This is where you
will begin.
2. Now, you have to decide two things.
A. How can I narrow down my main topic to a more
focused category?
B. Does my history book give me enough background
information on the main topic, the focused category and
the decade?
How can I narrow down my general
topic to a more focused category
within that general topic?
1. Go to history book and look at the general topic you chose.
2. This topic is too big and you have to narrow it down to a focused
category within the topic.
3. Look at text features: the subheadings, pictures, graphs. This will
help you focus on a category.
Ask yourself these questions:
4. Is there enough background information on the general topic to help
you understand the bigger picture?
5. Is there enough information in the history book to give you a basic
understanding of the focused topic?
6. Is there enough information on the decade to help you get started
with the other two categories you will have to research?
I DO IT!




World War I
Text Features
One entire chapter is about war in Europe, not U. S. history
I will have to use the second chapter on World War I to find
a focused category because this is about the U.S. in World
War I.
 Notice – This process did not take that long! Do not spend
that much time looking for a general topic and focused
category. Either the history book has enough background
information on the general topic, the focused category and
the decade to get started or it doesn’t. Don’t waste time
trying to find a category within a topic that has very little
information.
You have to write and submit a statement stating the
main topic, the focused category and the reason why
you want to study this category. (see worksheet)
I want my main topic to be _______, and I would like my
focused category to be __________. The decade is
__________. I want to study this because
______________________.
I want my main topic to be the involvement of the
United States in World War I, and I would like my
focused category to be propaganda. The decade is
__________. I want to study this because I am interested
in what was happening in the U.S. during this time
period.
WHAT NOW? NOTE TAKING!
Note Taking – You have to take notes from
your history book on the following three
topics. You should have a total of 15- 18 notes
when you are done.
1. Background Information on the General
Topic (5-6)
2. Focused Category (5- 6)
~Remember to focus on important facts
that explain who, when, where, what, why,
how.
NOTE TAKING
 3. Thumbnail research - minimum of two from the decade of
your focused category (5-6)

President

Decisions of the Federal Government

War

Newsworthy event

Person of interest – not a political figure

Science

New technology (including inventions)

Entertainment

Fads and fashion

Sports
Format – In history notebook
Category
~General topic
~Focused Category
~Decade thumbnail
topic
Pg. # Notes
Do not copy! Paraphrase-put in
your own words.
The note has to be a complete
sentence, not just one piece of
information. For example, giving
a date is not enough. Explain why
the date is important.
Format – In history notebook
Sample
Category
Pg.
Note
World War I
682
World War I started in 1914 in
Europe. President Woodrow Wilson
kept the United States neutral for
three years.
Due Date – Wednesday, March 26
 C. Notes are due on Wednesday, March 26. Notes
need to be initialed when they are completed. We are
looking for an understanding of the decade. Once
notes are approved, you will be given permission to
use the COW to search for book titles. If the books are
here, you will be permitted to check them out.
Otherwise, directions will be given on how to request
a book. All books need to be checked out or
requested by the end of the day on Thursday, March
27.