If you must choose someone from a specific time period, search for historical figures from that era and read about them until you find one that interests you. You could also choose someone based on a topic. For instance, if you’re interested in electricity, you could pick Nikola Tesla, Michael Faraday, or James Prescott Joule.
For most reports, this preliminary search won’t give you sources that you want to cite in your paper. Instead, it’ll give you the basic information you’ll need to do a more in-depth search for credible sources. [1] X Research source Try not to cite sources in your paper that are created by non-experts or are sources that can be edited by anyone. However, these can be great jumping off points for further research.
When researching the subject, be careful to evaluate the credibility of your sources. If possible, use a variety of reliable sources to get the best information about the subject. [2] X Research source As a general rule, you want information that has been created by experts on the person you are researching. [3] X Research source
Write the name of the source, then list the pertinent information as you come across it. Be sure to note the page number(s) too. There are different ways to take notes, so you’ll have to find one that suits you. Some people like to take notes on paper and some people like to type them in a computer. Do whichever you prefer.
For example, if you’re researching Eleanor Roosevelt, you’ll want to know when she was born, who her parents and her husband were, and why she’s famous. However, you’ll also want to focus on one aspect of her life, such as her work for women’s rights. Alternatively, pick the aspect that you relate to most. For example, if you’re drawn to Elvis Presley because of his in the military, write your report about his time in the military.
Ask your teacher if they want citations and how they’d like you to include them. There are different citation styles, so it’s important to understand what your teacher expects. Your teacher may also want a bibliography. This is a specifically formatted list of all of the books or websites you used. It is sometimes called “Works Cited” or “Sources Cited. " Make a list of all of your sources as you do your research. It will make the bibliography easier to write at the end.
For example, if your main point about The Beatles is that they were the most popular band in the 1960s, say that in the introduction. The point of every following paragraph will support that assertion. The outline can be created in any form you like. Some people like to start listing the points they want to make, while others prefer to create a structured outline that lays out the organization of the paper in detail. You can also list an outline for the conclusion but the conclusion usually just reiterates the main point brought up in the introduction.
You also need to introduce your main point. This should be a topic sentence that goes toward the end of the introduction. Include when and where this person was born in the introduction. Consider waiting until the end of your report to discuss when they died. Don’t address the person by their first name. It sounds very unprofessional. You can call them by their full name in your introduction, but after that, use their last name.
For example, if the point of one paragraph is that The Beatles sold more albums than other artists in the 1960s, state that as the topic sentence. Don’t mince words about your point. State it clearly and strongly. Each paragraph needs to have a topic sentence. If you think your paragraph doesn’t have one, then you need to do some editing. [5] X Research source
Each example you give to prove the topic sentence should be in a separate sentence. This means that your paragraphs should be around 4 to 5 sentences long. Giving specific examples will help you prove the paragraph’s point. Instead of giving your opinion, back up your points with facts. How many paragraphs you need for your report will vary. In most cases, 5 paragraphs will be ideal: 1 for the introduction, 3 for the body, and 1 for the conclusion. [7] X Research source If your teacher gives you a set word count or page count that you need to meet, you may have to increase or decrease the number of body paragraphs.
Begin the concluding paragraph by rephrasing the main point and examples. For instance, in an essay on The Beatles’ popularity, you could state, “Clearly, The Beatles staggering record sales, huge fan base, and enduring legacy illustrate the bands lasting importance. " In some cases, the conclusion may remind the reader of your attention grabbing sentence used in the intro. Don’t introduce new information in your conclusion. If you are tempted to, find a place to include it in the body of the essay instead.
If you think you need to explain your subject more, take the time to do it. You’ve spent a lot of time on your report already, so it’s worth a little more time to make it the best it can be. After you’re done writing your paper, read it out loud to catch mistakes. This will help you to catch areas of your writing that are awkward or confusing. [9] X Research source
For example, did you use the right version of the word “there” in your paper? A spell check program may not catch it if you used the wrong version of a word with multiple spellings.
Don’t take it personally if you get a lot of feedback. They’re only trying to help make your report the best it can be. Consider having a parent or a classmate read over your report. If you have a classmate do it, offer to read over their paper in exchange for them reading over yours.
