Background Research

How to Google
When you’re looking for background information, only type
your topic into the search bar (for example, “charging
juveniles as adults” or “raising the minimum wage” or “free
healthcare”).

Do not type your whole position or your 3 reasons or your

whole thesis statement into the search bar.
Credible Sources

- websites that end in .edu, .gov, .org

- big news outlets (New York Times, Boston Globe, LA Times,
etc.)
- blogs are not credible!
Big News Outlets
Pro Tip:

Go straight to a big news outlet’s website (for example,

https://www.nytimes.com/) and type your topic into the
search bar on that website.
TODAY’S GOAL
Assume the teacher who grades your paper knows nothing about
your topic.

You have to teach him/her about your topic.

This background research will become the second paragraph in

your paper (after your hook) and it will teach the grader
about the topic before you convince him/her of your position
on the topic.
TODAY’S DIRECTIONS
1. If you haven’t finished your Thesis Statement, do that
first. If you submitted it and it has been returned to
you, make the changes.
2. Open the Background Research assignment on Google
Classroom.
3. Open a separate tab to Google background information,
using what you learned today.
4. When you find background information that you want to use
in your paper, add it to the Background Research
assignment.
5. Background Research is due by the end of class on Monday
2/11.