I-Search Report Map

Cover Page:  The first page of your report will be a cover page with a good visual aid.  It must have an engaging title in a large font, and must have a heading in the lower right hand corner which includes your name, the date, the class, and your teacher's name. 

Table of Contents:  This should be the second page of your report, but you should create it last because you won't know what pages the different parts of your report are on until the report is completed. 

Introduction:  This should begin on the third page of your report.  Your introduction is the most important part of your report because it should get the attention of your reader.  No one wants to read a boring research report (including YOU!), so try to engage your reader right away.  Your introduction should:

• Get your reader's attention--ask a question, start with a description, do anything to make them want to keep reading
• Tell your reader what your topic is
• Explain why you chose your topic
• Let your reader know what to expect next--transition the reader into the rest of the paper

Body Paragraphs:  The body of your report should contain your IQs (interesting questions) as headings, with paragraphs following them that answer those questions.  The best way to see how this looks is to click on the Best I-Searches link on the right navigation bar.  Each paragraph needs to have a strong focus (with a topic sentence) and contain substantial information.  If it's too short, you probably need more information, or your reader will be bored. 

Conclusion:  The last paragraph of your report should conclude your information for the reader. Your conclusion can do many things--explain why your topic is important, why the reader should pay attention to what they've read, or what the information means for the future. It can also sum up why a person or event has importance or meaning for you or the reader. If your report is about an event, the conclusion can point out how the event changed history or people's lives. You basically have to find some way to tie the information together and relate the content to the reader.  

Bibliography:  Your bibliography needs to include every source you found, print sources and internet sources, in alphabetical order.  Follow the APA format--you can find this on the sheet I gave you from the Berkeley Library.  You can also click here to get to the Berkeley Library page with the same information.