7 th Grade Country Research Paper We live in a global society where people of many nationalities and backgrounds come in contact with each other. It is.

7th Grade Country Research Paper

We live in a global society where people of many nationalities and backgrounds come in contact with each other. It is likely that you will interact with those who may be different from you at school, work, or in your neighborhood. Learning about various countries and cultures will help you understand people better and can help to improve your relationships. You can also learn more about yourself and your family by understanding where your own ancestors came from.

Your research paper will need to have a title page. Look at this example to see what should be included. Click on the two different areas for some information.

December 3, 20107th Period

The Country of AustriaBy

Shellie Christensen

Notice that the date is written out and not abbreviated. The period the student has English is included.

The title of the report is in italics and the student’s name is also included. These are both in the center of the paper.

A research paper is made up of paragraphs, and each paragraph contains a major idea. Read the paragraph below. The big idea will be in orange. Click on the star to find out why.

Food is important to people everywhere, and the Austrians are no exception. The people of Austria eat three main meals everyday—breakfast, lunch, and supper. For breakfast, people eat rolls and coffee followed by a bigger breakfast like we would eat here in the United States. Lunch is served around noon and is the largest meal of the day. Soup, meat, and vegetables are served for lunch. People take a break around 3:00 for coffee and pastries, and a light supper is usually served in the evening. If there is one thing the people of Austria appreciate, it is food.

The main idea of the paragraph is food. Although each sentence doesn’t contain the word food, each sentence is about food.

Your paper will begin with an introduction that is used to make someone want to read your research paper, and to let your reader know what your paper will be about. Read the following introduction and click on the words in bold for some instructions (you will click 3 times).

Have you ever wanted to visit a country where you could ride a sled down a grassy hill or ski down an incredible mountain? Then the country of Austria is for you. Not only can you experience fun sports there, but you can also attend festivals, eat great food, and enjoy the art and music of some of the most famous artists in history. Austria has a lot to offer.

The first word in every paragraph is indented.

The main ideas of a paper should be listed in the introduction. This paper will discuss sports, festivals, food, & art/music.

The first sentence should hook the reader into wanting to read your paper.

A research paper should include a final paragraph that summarizes what the paper is about. This final paragraph is called a conclusion. The numbers in this paragraph are only there to identify different parts—you will not use them in your paper. Read the sample conclusion below, then click on the paragraph 4 times for some instruction.

1. Austria is a country with many things to do for fun. 2. People from all over the world go there to ski. 3. There are world famous festivals to attend and enjoy. 4. Delicious food awaits you when you get there. 5. Finally, there is art and music from the past and the present to experience. 6. With so much to see and do, it’s no wonder that Austria is on the top of people’s lists to visit.

The paragraph is indented.

Sentences 2, 3, 4 & 5 remind the reader of the main ideas.

Sentence 1 hooks the reader

by mentioning fun.

Sentence 6 has a

final thought.

The last part of your research paper is the bibliography that gives people credit for their information and ideas that you used in your paper. Click on each of the colored words for some instructions.

Sheehan, Sean. Austria. New York: Marshall Cavendish, 2005. Print.

Bibliography Type this at the top of the page

The author’s last name and then the first name.

The name of the book in italics.

The state where the book was published.

The publishing company. The year the

book was published.

The word print tells that the info came from a book and not the internet.

Title PageThe title page is a cover sheet for your research paper. It should include: the date your paper is due, the period you have English , the title of your paper, and your first and last name. Look at the sample below. Click on each line for some instructions.

September 15, 2010 4th Period

Italy: A Great Place To Visit

By

Jesse Schmidt

Notice that the date is spelled out instead of 9-15-11. There is a single space after the date. The date and the period are on the right hand side of the paper.

The hour goes before the word period.

The title of your paper should include the name of your country, be in italics, and should be in the center of your paper. Then double space to type the word by.

By should not be in italics. After typing the word by, double space.

Type your first and last name. Don’t use italics here either.

Identifying a Correct Title PageThere are 3 title pages below, but only one of them is correct. Click on the correct one.

5-07-11 6th Period

Africa

By

Jim Horrowitz

April 4, 2011 2nd Period

New Zealand

By

Connie Richards

March 5, 2011 4th Period

Germany

By

Brad Wilson

Incorrect. The date should be spelled out.

Correct Incorrect. The title should be in italics.

Creating Your Own Title Page

Use what you have learned to create your own title page. Print it and put it in the basket for your period.

Paragraphs

Your paper will be made up of different paragraphs. Each paragraph should be indented by pressing the Tab key on your keyboard. Only the first word in a paragraph should be indented.

Example of an indented paragraph:

The United States is made up of different regions.

An incorrect beginning of a paragraph that is not indented (but should be):

The United States is made up of different regions.

Paragraphs

Each paragraph should include one main idea.

Each paragraph should include 4 sentences and each sentence should be about the main idea of the paragraph.

Each paragraph should contain two really important things. Click on each number to find out what those are.

1.

2.

Paragraphs

These next 3 slides contain sample paragraphs. Please read each one and then click on the word “explanation.”

Italy has a population of more than 57.5 million people making it one of the most crowded countries in Europe. It won’t always be like that though because women aren’t having very many children and the older people are dying. The people of Italy look different—depending on where they live. People in the North look like the Germans and French and people living in the South are darker in color and resemble Greeks. No matter which part of the country people live in, they are all typically very friendly.

Notice 2 things about this paragraph: it is indented, and each paragraph talks about the people in Italy. The main idea of the paragraph is people because that’s what each sentence is about.

Explanation:

Paragraphs

People in Italy are very friendly and social so the cities represent the people’s lifestyle. Homes, businesses, cafes, and stores all kind of blend together so there are always people around creating a social atmosphere. Since so many people live in Italy, most of them live in apartment buildings that are several stories high. Some people live in villas that are country houses. Wealthy people may have a villa in the country that they can go to on holiday. The most important part of an Italian’s lifestyle is the family. The family name is very important and each member of the family is encouraged not to do anything to tarnish the family name. Italians spend a lot of time with their families. Some people believe that it ’s the strength of families that has helped Italy remain a strong country even though it has gone through economic problems.

Explanation:

The main idea of this paragraph is lifestyle (where and how people live).

Paragraphs

Throughout Italy’s history, Roman Catholicism has been the main religion of the people of Italy. For much of the time, the church provided a government as well as a religion for people. Today, though Italy has a government separate from the church, many people still rely more on church leaders than political leaders. The Vatican is a separate sovereign state that is the home to the pope and is the center of the Roman Catholic Church. While not all Catholics regularly attend church in Italy, religion is very important to them.

Explanation:

The main idea of this paragraph is religion.

Paragraphs

Here is a paragraph that has something wrong with it. Identify the problem by choosing the letter with what is missing or wrong.

Have you ever wondered why so many people want to visit Italy? It’s because it has a lot to offer. The geography, the people, their culture, and lifestyle all make Italy an interesting country.

A. Not Indented

Incorrect: It is indented.

B. Each sentence talks about the main idea.

Incorrect: Each sentence discusses that Italy is interesting and that people want to visit.

C. There are at least 4 sentences.

Correct: This paragraph contains only 3 sentences.

Paragraphs

Here is a paragraph that has something wrong with it. Identify the problem by choosing the letter with what is missing or wrong.

A. Not Indented

Incorrect: It is indented.

B. Each sentence talks about the main idea.

Correct: Some sentences are about the geography & others are about the climate.

C. There are at least 4 sentences.

Incorrect: This paragraph contains 6 sentences.

Italy is a peninsula and is located off the southern coast of Europe. It also includes some islands and the biggest two are Sicily and Sardinia. Italy has many mountains and the tallest ones are the Alps. Most of Italy has a warm climate, but the higher places can get snow and be really cold. Southern Italy experiences a hot wind called a scirocco that carries fine sand from the Sahara Desert in northern Africa. The weather in Italy has something for everyone.

Paragraphs

Here is a paragraph that has something wrong with it. Identify the problem by choosing the letter with what is missing or wrong.

Italians enjoy many leisure activities. Many people like to take an evening stroll to talk to their neighbors. Some Italians like to meet their friends at a local beach or restaurant to talk or just hang out. Soccer is a huge sport in Italy and people either play it or spend free time watching it on TV. Baseball and basketball are other popular sports people enjoy playing or watching in their leisure time.

A. Not Indented

Correct: It is not indented.

B. Each sentence talks about the main idea.

Incorrect: Each sentence discusses what people like to do in their leisure time.

C. There are at least 4 sentences.

Incorrect: This paragraph contains 5 sentences.