1. After researching and reading several articles on the topic, students decide which side of the debate they support, thus making a claim and meeting Standard #1.
2. Students work to organize their writing to be clear, coherent, thus meeting Standard #4.
3. As students revise, edit and strengthen their writing they meet Standard #5.
4. Next, if students use technology to publish their writing, they have met Standard #6.
5. Students meet standard #7 as they conduct their research by accessing several sources.
6. And, as students recall information from their several sources they meet Standard #8.
7. Standard #9 is achieved when students draw supporting evidence from the texts.
8. Finally Standard #10 is met because students write to a specific task, purpose, audience.

To create an effective research paper, students should follow this format:

• Develop ideas
• Use evidence from the texts read
• Use evidence from more than one source
• Successfully weave sources together so they show interaction
• Write an organized paper that includes an introduction, body and conclusion
• Use Clear Language
• Use vocabulary appropriate to research, statistics
• Describe research sources clearly
• Avoid ambiguous, difficult to comprehend wording
• Use correct language and conventions

• Avoid errors in grammar, mechanics, usage

• Edit the work   

• Strive to create writing that flows/reads smoothly, effortlessly

The following graphic organizers can be used to record research evidence in a logical format. 

Resources

Graphic Organizers:  Shanahan, Timothy, and Cynthia Shanahan. Teaching Disciplinary Literacy to Adolescents: Rethinking Content-Area Literacy.  Harvard Educational Review 78(1) (2008).   

Writing Matters:  Illinois State Board of Education.  "Illinois Writing Matters."  www.ilwritingmatters.org.  2014.