Now that you have pages and pages of notes from at least five different sources, you will reorganize your bits of information from these sources and then rearrange them into a research paper which answers your four research questions. This may seem like a HUGE task, but it will actually be quite easy if you use the following method which I call the COLOR code method: 

• Go back and review your four research questions, and assign a different color to each question:

1. What is some basic biographical information about your person(s)/event? 

2. What is the historical context in which your person's work was done or in which your event took place?  

3. What would a symbolic memorial to your person(s)/ event look like?

4. Why (for what reasons) is your person(s)/event worthy of a memorial?

           

• Now go back through all your notes from your different sources. Any information that answers research question one should be color coded red; any information that answers question two should be color coded yellow, etc.

• When you are through color coding all your notes by the research questions they answer, you are ready to rearrange the notes by color. For example, all the notes you color coded red, must be reorganized together; all the notes you color coded green, must be reorganized together.

  

You have now reorganized all your notes by research question and are ready to write an outline of your research paper. Your outline should look something like this:

Introduction:

A. Topic sentence.

B. Personal answer.

I.Biographical information general statement:

A-Z. Red notes on biography from all your sources.

II. Historical context general statement:

A-Z. Yellow notes on history from all your sources.

 III. Symbols and images general statement:

A-Z. Blue notes on symbolism from all your sources.

IV.Reasons for this memorial general statement:

A-Z. Yellow notes on worthiness of your person(s)/event.

Conclusion:

A. Restate topic.

B. Last, best thought on topic.

---

 

Once your outline has been reviewed and returned to you, you must rewrite it in paragraphs as a paper. Remember that your final draft must be at least five pages: 3-5 pages in which you answer the four research questions plus a cover page and Works Cited page.

The first page of your paper should be a cover page with a title, your name and a picture or graphic; the last page of your paper will be your Works Cited page.

Your actual 3-5 page research paper should begin with an introduction paragraph, contain several paragraphs answering each of the four research questions, and end with a conclusion paragraph.

The final draft of your memorial research paper will look something like this:

Don't forget to proofread your final draft for grammar, punctuation and spelling!

Memorial Instructions (doc file - 29kb)

Memorial Grading Rubric (doc file - 25kb)

Memorial Ideas (doc file - 31kb)

Topic and 4 Research Questions (doc file - 26kb)

Sample Lucille Ball Outline (mem Outline_sample_PPT file - 168kb)

File Memorial Outline.doc (doc file - 30kb)

"doc file: You need the Microsoft Word program, a free Microsoft Word viewer, or a program that can import Word files in order to view this file. To learn more about the free Microsoft Word Viewer, visit the Microsoft Word website."