I-Search Paper

Unit 4
Essay 4: The I-Search Paper

In the last five weeks of the semester, we will be working on an I-Search paper. Similar to a research paper, the I-Search will be conducted out of an initial question you may have. Choosing your topic will be easiest if you let your search answer a need in your life. Perhaps you’d like to choose a major, or decide what career might be best for you. Or maybe you’d like to know more about a certain subject: skydiving, gardening, shopping for a car, planning a wedding, or how to snowboard. These are only suggestions to inform you that for a change you’re being asked to investigate something you’re interested in that will fulfill a need in your life rather than a teacher’s notion of what would be good for you to pursue. It is best to choose a topic you care about (remember you will work steadily on the subject for the rest of the term). There are some requirements and guidelines to follow in writing this paper. You will use all the knowledge you gained throughout the semester to write a clear, concise essay that shows your critical thinking skills.

If you wish, you may divide your paper into four parts, like this:
1. What I knew and didn’t know about my topic when I started out.
2. What I want to know (or why I am writing this paper. Here’s where a real need should show up: the writer demonstrates that the search may make a difference in his/her life).
3. The Search (story of the hunt).
4. What I learned (or didn’t learn. A search that failed can be as exciting and valuable as one that succeeded).

We will be writing this paper in steps, some of it in the classroom. Be prepared to spend some time in the library and online, researching your subject. You will be looking for 3-4 sources. In class, we will be discussing how to evaluate and document sources for your paper. Remember that you may need to review many sources, in order to find the most appropriate ones. You will be required to have one interview as part of your sources. We will also discuss the interviewing process, but you will want to find an expert or authority in your field of study, in order to interview.
If at any time you come to a dead end, please consult with me, so we can determine your next move. The length of the paper will be 4-5 pages, double-spaced, MLA style format. We will learn about MLA documentation in class, so you may become comfortable with its format.