We will be working on our population research project in class all week, though we may do a mini-lesson or two along the way.
Purposes of the population research project: 1. Gain in-depth knowledge about the topic you are researching while broadening your understanding of the role of population in human geography; 2. Learn and meet the requirements of college-level academic research and writing; and 3. Prepare to excel on the FRQs (essay questions) on the AP Human Geography test.
Components of the research project:
1. Thesis statement, abstract, and outline.
2. Typed 3-5 page essay making an argument about your topic and presenting evidence to support that topic. Your essay must include an introduction, at least three subsections that help you make your argument, and a conclusion. The essay must be typed in double-spaced, size 12 Times New Roman font with a header and page numbers.
3. A minimum of three maps, graphs, or diagrams that support your argument (these do not count toward the three page minimum).
4. Bibliography with all sources cited in Chicago Manual of Style format.
5. A PowerPoint presentation and handout to share your research and conclusions with the class (this should be the last step - do not start this until I have approved your abstract and outline and until you have written the paper).
As you write, you may want to check out some of the resources linked on this website, which was made by one of my former professors. There are sections with excellent links on "Academic Honesty & Anti-plagiarism Resources" and "Info on Writing Better."
Thursday, 10/7: Bring a draft thesis statement for your paper. The following sites contain useful guidelines on how to write effective thesis statements as well as on other aspects of academic writing. Notice that these are all from university websites - this is an essential skill for college:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/545/01/
http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/thesis.html
http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/thesis_statement.shtml
Friday, 10/8: Europe map quiz
Tuesday, 10/11: Draft abstract and outline due.
How to write an effective abstract:
http://research.berkeley.edu/ucday/abstract.html
http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/abstracts.html
http://www2.winthrop.edu/english/handbook/AbstractTips.pdf
How to write an effective outline:
http://www.albany.edu/eas/170/outline.htm
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/544/01/
http://depts.washington.edu/psywc/handouts/pdf/outline.pdf
Please take some time to look through these links and learn the complicated but rewarding process of academic writing as you work on the project.
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