I-Search

toc I Search, You Search, We ALL Search During Research!

=__The Parts of the I-Search Paper__= Here is where you write two to three paragraphs, discussing what knowledge, experience, or background you already have about your topic, BEFORE having done any research on it. Here is where you put down two paragraphs' worth of questions about your topic, questions you want desperately, to have answered. These questions will lead you to those sources that will answer your questions. These questions are the passionate, fiery fuel that guide you through the morass of library work, interviews, fumbled subway rides, etc. Here is where you'll read magazine articles, books, and do interviews, which will, eventually, combine to become your actual research reportage. This is, in essence, the body of your paper. Not only do you report on what others have said about your topic, but you also add your opinion of their perspectives. You also get to comment on what an amazing experience you're having along the way. Yes! The "I" in I-Search means that you must write in the first person, and you must be an interactive, reactive participant in the I-Search writing process. Here is where you reflect upon the entire search experience, not only what you got out of it, not only what you've learned, but how this search has changed your perspective. It's two to three paragraphs in length, and summarizes your travel, your journey, your quest for the holy grail of knowledge on a topic with which you were nearly consumed. Some of the steps below may or may not be required by your teacher. You may find them helpful nonetheless...** =__Process and Scoring__= Writing an I-Search - The Whole Process: I-Search Scoring:
 * Part I--What I Already Know About My Topic**
 * Part II--What I Want to Find Out**
 * Part III--The Search**
 * Part IV--What I Learned**
 * Bibliography (Works Cited)**

Format:

Easybib.

=__**Step 1: Brainstorming**__= Complete these handouts. 1. - Getting Started 2. - What do you already know? What do you WANT to know? 3. - Where will you find your information? . . . =__**Step 2: Journal!**__= . =__**Step 3: The Search**__= =__**The Interview**__= Interviewing is an excellent way to gather information that would not otherwise be available in written form. It may be required that you conduct an interview with an expert in a particular field as the main reference for your essay or as a supplement to other books and short texts that you have gathered in your research. Interviewing is not only a resourceful way to add to your knowledge of a subject--be it grasshoppers or politics--it is also a way to learn about possible career choices and even to make valuable contacts for your future. An interview is a meeting between two or more people, in which a prepared interviewer asks questions and records the answers (by tape or through notes) of a specialist. The specialist's responses can include such things as technical information, statistical data, research, personal information, anecdotes, photographic materials, philosophical/political/social reflections, definitions, opinions, and advice. Keep in mind the difference between an expert's oral opinions, which are often given informally in an interview, and his/her carefully considered written opinions, which would appear in a professional journal or book. - Like any other writing assignment, the interview is comprised of several stages: __**Example:**__ Naylor, Gloria. Personal interview. 27 July 1996. - Taken from: [] =__**Step 4: The Writing**__= **Determining your Research Focus:** This article discusses the concept of keeping your research focus broad versus narrowing your focus on your topic. This is a helpful resource for when you are developing your thesis and your outline. Outlines: Narrowing your Research Focus Linked below is a collection of resources that help students with thesis statements including links to thesis builder/ generators. Developing a Thesis Statement **Gathering Information from Quality Sources:** **It is here where you want to be certain to be aware of the subscription databases that are available to you.** These vary by library. Contact your library to learn about access to the specific resources they subscribe to. Linked below are articles which will help you further understand quality research concepts/skills. This article discusses why you should use articles from scholarly journals and how you can successfully use them without becoming overwhelmed. WHY and HOW to use Peer Reviewed resources from Scholarly Journals Statistics are often stumbled upon during the research process. This article discusses how you can actively seek statistics to support your research. Seeking out Statistics which will Enhance your Research . . . =__**Sample Paper **__= . . =__**Format **__= =See The Parts of the I-Search at the Top of the Page = =__**Editing **__= =__**Presentation **__= **Putting your Presentation together:**
 * 1) Use at least __//**five**//__different sources to research your topic.
 * 2) Acceptable sources: books (required), magazine or newspaper articles, reliable websites,database articles (required), interviews (required), movies, encyclopedias and almanacs, pamphlets, or other primary source documents.
 * 3) Include all of the information that you’ve learned from each source in paragraph format. You will probably have more than one paragraph of information for each source. This may be the longest section of your paper.
 * 4) Cite all sources in MLA format. Anything that is not common knowledge must be credited in MLA format.
 * 5) At least **__3__** quotations must be included that support your answer to the topic you have chosen.
 * 1) __**//Deciding on the Purpose of the Interview -//**__You need a clear idea of the purpose for your interview before you can make a choice of whom to contact. Once you've decided on the purpose, write it down in one or two sentences. In addition, you should do your background reading and literature search first; then you'll have specific, concise questions to ask and you'll be able to fit the questions into a coherent whole.
 * 2) __**//Determining the Appropriate Person to Interview -//**__Many times your subject or your objective in writing about the subject logically points to the proper person to interview. For example, if you are writing about Medieval manuscripts, you would most likely interview a professor or writer in that field or an authority from a museum; if your subject is the mating habits of iguanas, you may decide to go to the zoo in your area--if they house them--and find an authority in zoology who could help you. Some sources available to help you determine a suitable person to interview are the city directory in the library; professional societies; the yellow pages in the local telephone directory; or a local firm that is involved with all or some aspects of your subject.
 * 3) __**//Requesting the Interview -//**__After determining the name of the person you want to interview, you must request the interview. You can do this by telephone, fax, or letter. (If you choose to write a letter, make sure you leave yourself enough time as correspondence by mail is slower than the other two alternatives.) Since your interviewee is doing you a favor, try to accommodate yourself to his or her schedule. A 30-60 minute time period is standard, but the decision rests with the person you are interviewing. Learn as much as possible about the person you will be interviewing as well as the company, institution, or agency in which she/he works. When you make contact with your interviewee, explain who you are, why you are contacting him/her, including the reason you chose this person for the interview, the subject of the interview, that you would like to arrange an interview at her convenience, and that you will allow her to review your draft.
 * 4) __**//Preparing for the Interview -//**__Prepare a list of specific questions to ask your interviewee. The more specific you are the better information you will receive. For example, in an interview with a marine biologist, such a broad question as "What are you doing about ocean pollution" will not elicit specific and useful information because it is too general. Such broad questions also show your interviewee that you did not do a sufficient amount of research; however, specific questions immediately verify that you have spent considerable time gathering and reviewing relevant information about the subject or the person. For example, "You wrote in an article several years ago that acid rain is destroying the algae in the ocean. Has anything been done recently to relieve this problem?"
 * 5) __**//Conducting the Interview -//**__You should consider tape recording the interview, but ask permission in advance because some interviewees will not permit it. If you do use a tape recorder, make sure it is battery operated so that you are not dependent on an electrical outlet. Regardless of whether you are taping, you must plan to take notes, which means you need a sufficient supply of paper and pens. Review research and questions before going to the interview. Arrive at your destination a few minutes early. Make your purpose for the interview clear at the outset. Once you've established your purpose, begin with an appropriate question and listen carefully to the answer, writing down key words that will remind you of the points being made. Don't feel bound by the order of your questions; however, do use the questions to keep the interview on track. Some answers may prompt additional questions: ask them. If your interviewee strays from the subject, try to be ready with a specific and direct question to guide her/him back to your overall purpose. Don't be afraid to admit that you don't understand something, and ask for examples and definitions of terms. Sometimes you'll find it useful to read back specific responses to confirm that you have clearly understood what was said. Be objective. Don't offer your opinions on the subject. You are there to get information not to debate it. You will impress the interviewee and receive better information by the type of questions you ask and how carefully you listen and adapt to the demands of the interview. Try to keep up with your interviewee and don't ask her/him to slow down. Therefore, at times, you will be writing more brief, memory-jogging notes that will help you recall the conversation later. If you are using a tape recorder, do not let it lure you into a relaxation of discipline so that you neglect to ask crucial questions.
 * 6) __**//After the Interview -//**__After you finish conducting the interview, use your memory-jogging notes to help you mentally review the interview and record your detailed notes. Try not to postpone this step! If you have taped the interview you will not need to transcribe (put in written form) the entire tape. The tape will be most helpful as a way of filling in your notes. You will, however, have to listen to the entire tape in order to decide on what information is most useful for your essay. When you write up the interview, be sure that you quote accurately. As a courtesy to your source, send a brief thank-you letter along with a copy of the document you write based on the interview. Keep a record of the date and place of the interview as well as the name and title of your source. Include this information in the Works Cited section of your report.
 * 7) __**//Citing Sources: MLA -//**__ When you paraphrase or use a direct quotation from your interview source, you document it in your text the same way you would cite a single author of a book (surname) although you do not use page numbers. If you have included the specialist's name in the essay to introduce the quotation or paraphrased information, you need not put the name in parentheses, at the end of the passage. Also, if the entire essay is dedicated to the one interview and there are no other sources, you need not make citation throughout the essay. Simply record the interview on the Works Cited page. The following format is required for the Works Cited page of your essay. List the interview alphabetically (if you have other sources) by the specialist's surname, state that it is a personal interview, and give the date of the interview.
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