Middle Ages Research Paper Activity
Kathryne C. Delcarpio
Pearl River High
English/Gifted DepartmentsThese research papers have been done successfully with ninth grade students upon completion of the Arthurian Legend Unit. Our school has a policy of having students complete research papers at every grade level as a requirement. For many students this is their first experience with the process. At first it seems daunting but because the topics are from Arthurian Legend/Medieval studies, in which they are already interested, and students are free to choose their topics from a list, they are usually very excited. Upon completion of the paper, the students feel a real sense of accomplishment. This activity could also be used for a social studies World History course.
Pearl River High School English department requires that students in 9th and 10th grades adhere to MLA style for their papers. The students are given instruction on each phase of the research process. One great resource that 9th graders purchase is from Amsco Publishing. It is a wonderful handbook that they can keep to use the next year and later. It is a small paperback--condensed, and reasonably priced (around $5).
Each part of the process must be finished and acceptedbefore students are allowed to turn in the next part.
A. Bibliography Cards. I require a minimum of 5 different sources for the paper (They usually do more). They must use a variety of types. Book, magazine, Internet resource, encyclopedia (one each) are required. I review how to use the library, Reader’s Guides, CD ROM Databases, other Indices, and the Internet, and also how find information in these sources.
B. Notecards. From there students will then write notecards following the rules and formats in the handbook. I required a minimum of 50 cards. Of those there must be at least one which will be a long direct quote, and one that will be a short direct quote. The rest are usually a combination of paraphrasing and facts. Each notecard must include a header, a brief phrase that describes what the card is about.
C. Outline. I don’t require a working outline. I feel that ninth graders usually don’t know where to begin but after reading and finding information, can see patterns from the headings to write their outline.
D. Thesis Statement.
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Students usually use 4 x 6 notecards for theses first four steps. I have them use the notecards that are connected by a spiral wire (like notebooks). This method keeps students from losing the cards, if they should drop them (or lose them in the “black hole” of the book bags).
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E. Rough Draft. Papers must be a minimum of 5-7 typed pages. This does not include a cover page, outline, and sources cited pages. Each paper also adheres to MLA style guidelines and includes a running head, parenthetical documentation, and a long and a short direct quote. Most of my students have access to computers and do their rough drafts using word processors.F. Final Paper. Students have one week from the time they receive their graded rough drafts to revise their papers and turn in their final paper.
At the beginning of the project, all requirements and dates are put in writing and given to students. They know that assignments are due on the required dates. They are docked a letter grade per day for late work. My students are also taught the seriousness of plagiarism and know that if they are caught, they will receive no credit for their work. Though it is a concern, so far I haven’t found any papers that I suspected were “lifted” from the Internet.
Copyright 2000. Kathryne C. Delcarpio. All Rights Reserved. Contact me (kdelcarpio@yahoo.com) for permission to publish.
*Topics from Medieval Times
King Arthur Saints Knight of the Round Table Festivals and Holidays Historical Arthur Viking/Viking Culture and Mythology Heraldry/Coats of Arms Invasions Knights/Knighthood Islamic Culture Armor Byzantine Culture Swords/Weaponry Embroidery Horses/Horsemanship Crowns/Jewels Falconry Drama-Miracle/Mystery Plays Music and Musical Instruments Dance Chivalry/manners/etiquette Monasteries Crusades Effect of Crusades on Europe Guilds Towns Castles Cathedrals Illuminated manuscripts Calligraphy Alcemy Bestiaries/Strange Beasts Clothing Food Manners Black Death Herbalism/Gardening Tapestries Pilgrimage/Travel Trade Stained Glass
Other Legendary Heroes
Roland Siegfried Ogier El Cid Robin Hood Beowulf
Historical Figures
Richard the Lionhearted Marco Polo Salah-al-din (Saladin) Frederick Barbarossa Charlemagne Eleanor of Aquitaine Henry II William the Conqueror
Literary Works/Styles
Chaucer's Canterbury Tales Dante's Divine Comedy Decameron Songs of Troubadors Chanson de gests Romances Allegory Lays Copyright Demo, Inc. 1994.