A research paper with citations

Ages 13 to 17 Read alone · about 45 minutes

Read together

A research paper asks a question, gathers evidence from reliable sources, and states a conclusion that the evidence supports.

Every borrowed idea or quote is credited in a citation, so readers can check it.

Do it

1. Choose a question you can research: for example, how did printing change reading?
2. Find at least three reliable sources: books, scholarly articles, official data. Prefer original sources; treat encyclopedias as a place to find leads, not as proof.
3. Take notes in your own words and record author, title and year for each.
4. Write a one-page paper with a thesis and a list of sources.

Talk about it

• What question are you answering?
• Which source is strongest, and why?

For the grown-up

Research teaches honesty and judgement. Check that your teen credits all sources and does not copy. If they use an AI tool, they must verify every claim in a real source, because AI text can contain invented facts and citations.

Mark as done

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Where this comes from

• National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and Council of Chief State School Officers, Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts (2010), standard W.9-10.7 and W.9-10.8 (research and credible sources)
• Booth, W. C., Colomb, G. G., and Williams, J. M., The Craft of Research (University of Chicago Press, 4th edition, 2016)

Written with AI assistance and checked against the sources listed. Please read it before sharing it with a child.