Informational Paragraphs-Instructions and Rubric

Informational Paragraphs and Works Cited (i.e. Background Information)

The Pikes Peak Library is a wonderful resource for background information.  All students are encouraged to have their own library card and password.  Students should consider checking out books from PPLD and using the online database for research. 

Information from the internet should be PRINTED off and hole-punched to be placed in the science folder.  By doing this, students can highlight important information instead of taking hand-written notes.  This SAVES a lot of time!!!  The highlighted notes do not have to be written in the journal, but a journal entry should be written to annotate what was done that day.  Pages from other sources such as magazine articles and books could also be copied on a copier and highlighted to save time!  Notes are required to be written in the journal if the information is not printed and highlighted.

Note:  Wikipedia is not allowed as a source.

General Information

• The first draft should be written in the journal.  Skip lines in the journal to allow for self-editing.  Use pen to show editing and revision marks.
• The paragraphs do not include your question, procedure, or any other part of the investigation.  The paragraphs do not answer the question, but give background information which will help strengthen knowledge related to the topic in order to develop a thorough investigation.  Background information is information already known about your general topic.  The report is a FACTUAL report!
• Paragraphs should include general knowledge and definitions. (Definitions are normally written for clarification in a paragraph and NOT a separate paragraph.)  Historical information, scientists who have made an impact in the field, impact of the topic on society, drawings/diagrams, and current theories and explanations could also be included if relevant to topic.

• Plagiarism is presenting someone else’s words or ideas as your own.  It can be deliberate or accidental.  Plagiarism of any kind will result in a 0 on the assignment, and then the report would have to be rewritten honestly.

–         Ask yourself:

§  Are you using someone else’s original ideas or words?

§  Or is the information “common knowledge” (information that anyone could find or know from a number of general sources)?

§  Or is the information your own thinking and expression?

§  If you are quoting, did you quote accurately and include quotation marks around your quoted material?

§  If you are putting someone else’s words or ideas in your own words (paraphrasing), did you use your own words and sentence structures?  Does it sound totally unlike the original writing?

–         You should …

§  Give the complete publishing information about your source in the works cited page at the end of your paper.

How do you know what to research????  THE NOUNS!

• Locate the key words [noun(s)] in the question itself to research.

• The “nouns” are the bulk of what is needed for research. 

• The “verb” can also be defined for clarification. 

–        Example 1:  Does the pH level of a substance have an effect on the normal corroding process of iron? (3 paragraphs minimum)

w  Research pH. (1 paragraph)

w  Research iron and properties of iron. (1 paragraph)

w  Research the substances to be tested. (1 paragraph)

w  Define corrosion. (probably included in the iron paragraph)

–        Example 2:  Which spice makes the tastiest chocolate chip cookie? (3 body paragraphs)

w  Research spices. Which are the most common for baking? Where do they come from? (1 paragraph)

w  Research taste. How do we taste? (1 paragraph)

w  Research baking. (1 paragraph)

w  Define spice. Define tastiest. (possibly)

Journal

• Date journal entry. 
• Title journal entry “Keywords for Background Information.”
• Write the question. 
• Circle/Highlight the nouns/verbs in the question. 

 

Works Cited

• The works cited contains the sources that are ACTUALLY USED in writing the paragraph. 
• Sources include dictionaries, letters, specialized encyclopedias, encyclopedias, interviews, newspapers, magazines, Internet, databases, etc. 
• A minimum of THREE CITIATIONS must be used, with a minimum of TWO different source types. 
• The works cited for levels 1 and 2 are the fill-in-the-blanks colored sheets provided in the library. Level 3 participants will also use theses same sheets for planning, and then they will be required to type their works cited on a separate sheet of paper using the MLA style.  ALL levels could do the MLA works cited page for 5 points extra credit.

Science Fair Rubric Checklist – Paragraphs (Background Info)

Expectations – Paragraphs (Background Info)	Points
§  Typed/ Font 12/Times New Roman/Double-Spaced §  Heading (4 lines) – Left of page o    Title “Science Fair Background Information” §  Five or less spelling/grammatical errors §  No contractions; no pronouns §  Topic sentences do not begin with the words “There” or “It.” §  Topic sentences; Complete sentences §  Research extensive, three or more sources used §  A variety of sources were used – minimum of two types §  Information is relevant to the topic and factual §  Information thorough and complete §  Report written in the student’s words. (Quotations used as needed.) o    NO Plagiarism §  Completed work cited pages stapled to the back §  Rough drafts with revisions in notebooks	25 (Paragraphs) 10 (Works Cited)
SCORE