Research Activity for English 8

In preparation for our study of Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry by Mildred Taylor and to help you learn how to write a thesis statement, how to research a topic, and how to write a research paper, you are going to research a topic related to the novel and create a research based PowerPoint that shows a thesis statement, organization, and understanding of how to cite a source.

Directions:
1. First you will to choose a TOPIC (Due end of class Wednesday, March 3)
a. You may choose one of the following topics—
i. Racism
ii. Reconstruction (the period of time after the Civil War)
iii. Integration of Public Schools
iv. Sharecropping
v. Jim Crow Laws
vi. Mob Violence/KKK
2. Then you will come up with THREE QUESTIONS you would like to answer about your topic. (Due end of class Friday, March 5)
3. Next, you will begin ANSWERING your three questions.
4. As you are answering your questions, you will TAKE NOTES on the note sheet provided by Mrs. Denton and CITE your sources. (Notes due Tuesday, March 9)
5. You will then ORGANIZE your notes and CREATE A THESIS STATEMENT. (Organization and thesis statement due at the end of class on Wednesday, March 10)
6. After your notes are organized and you have created a thesis statement, you will prepare an organized POWERPOINT OR KEYNOTE that will share your findings with the class. (Due Tuesday, March 16)
7. You will also create and submit a WORKS CITED PAGE that shows the sources for your pictures as well as the sources for your information. It will be submitted at a Word document. (Due Tuesday, March 16)