Grade 8 · Research and Presentation · Research, Citation and Delivery
Short Research Project and Citation
Turn a topic into a researchable question, gather credible sources, and cite them without plagiarising.
Learning objectives
- Convert a broad topic into a focused question
- Paraphrase without plagiarising
- Produce correct in-text citations and a reference list
Common Core ELA alignment
W.8.7
Conduct short research projects to answer a question, drawing on several sources and generating additional related, focused questions for further investigation. Grade 8 emphasis: analyse subtler techniques such as irony, conflicting evidence and differing interpretations.
W.8.8
Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, assess the credibility of each source, and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism. Grade 8 emphasis: analyse subtler techniques such as irony, conflicting evidence and differing interpretations.
W.8.9
Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection and research. Grade 8 emphasis: analyse subtler techniques such as irony, conflicting evidence and differing interpretations.
MYP criteria
- Criterion B — Organizing
- Criterion C — Producing text
- Criterion D — Using language
ENGAGE
Too big to answer
Topic: pollution. That is not a question, it is a library. Question: How has traffic in our city centre changed nitrogen dioxide levels since the 2019 low-emission zone? Now you can actually research.
Think about it
- What makes the second version researchable?
- What three things did it add?
EXPLAIN
The cycle
| Step | What you do | Output |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Add place, time and measure to the topic | One researchable question |
| Gather | Find three to five credible sources | Source list with notes |
| Note | Record ideas in your own words with page or URL | Notes you can cite |
| Write | Answer the question with cited evidence | Draft |
| Reference | List every source consistently | Reference list |
Paraphrase versus plagiarism
- Copying with two words changed is plagiarism, even with a citation.
- A real paraphrase changes structure and vocabulary and still credits the source.
- Quote directly when the exact wording matters, and keep it short.
Citation pattern
In text: (Author, year). Reference list: Author, A. (year). Title. Publisher or site. URL.
Careful
Adding a source to your bibliography does not license copying its sentences into your body text.
EXPLORE
Paraphrase or plagiarism?
Original: Low-emission zones reduce roadside nitrogen dioxide most sharply in the first two years after introduction.
- Version 1: Low-emission zones cut roadside nitrogen dioxide most sharply in the first two years after they start.
- Version 2: The steepest fall in roadside nitrogen dioxide tends to come early, within about two years of a zone being introduced (Ahmed, 2022).
Think about it
- Which version is an acceptable paraphrase, and why?
- Rewrite the unacceptable one properly.
MYP_PRACTICE
Criterion B, C and D task
Run the full cycle on a question about your own school or town. Produce a focused question, three credible sources with source-test notes, a 300-word answer with at least three in-text citations, and a reference list.
EXIT_TICKET
Check yourself
Think about it
- Write your research question.
- Name one source you rejected and why.
Interactive practice · citation builder
Build the citation
Enter your source details and generate an in-text citation and reference entry.
Record your findings
Outputs
Your answer
This draft stays in this tab only. Copy anything you want to keep into your learning log below.
Key vocabulary
- Research question
- A focused question with a place, time frame and measurable subject.
- Paraphrase
- Restating a source idea in genuinely new wording and structure, with credit.
- Plagiarism
- Presenting someone else words or ideas as your own.
- In-text citation
- A short bracketed credit inside your writing.
Practice questions
0/2 correct
Level 1 · Criterion B
Which is a researchable question?
Level 2 · Criterion D
Version 1 in the Explore section is
MYP criterion tasks
Level 3 · Criterion C
Paraphrase the original sentence acceptably and cite it.
Reflect & track
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