YOUR NAME _________________________

Artists and
creativity
8th Grade English: I search paper
This project will be worth 25% of your grade for the fourth
quarter.
Research the life of an artist (dancer, musician, visual artist, actor, director, writer etc.) and
explain what you learned about your artists creative process.
Each student will approach this assignment differently but some possible topics to explore are:
- your artists most famous works
- how your artist found his/her mature voice as an artist
- how your artist influenced his/her field
- what you most admire about your artist and how this influences your own work
UNDERSTANDING THE FORMAT OF AN I SEARCH PAPER
Rather than producing a traditional research paper, you are invited to write an I search paper. An I search
paper is less formal than a traditional paper in it students are expected to formulate their own questions and
reflect on what they have learned in the process. Your final paper will be 6-10 pages in length (double spaced, 12
point font; one page of images may count toward your final page count; cover pages do not count toward the page
count).
The chart below outlines the ways in which an I search paper differs from a traditional research paper.
TRADITIONAL RESEARCH PAPER

I SEARCH PAPER

Research based on books, periodicals (magazines,

newspapers etc.) and websites

Use relevant books, periodicals and websites;

research might also include personal interviews and
conversations.

Topic set by teacher

Topic set by student

(within guidelines set by teacher)
Use the word I your thoughts and actions are at the
center of the assignment
Includes pictures and other artifacts
The paper is written as the student conducts the
search.

Avoid the word I

Text only
The paper is written after research has been done.

- Although less formal than a traditional paper, you will still need to use quotation marks around any words
that you quote from another person.
- I will also you show you to how to create a Works Cited paper (not part of your page count), which is an
essential part of any research paper; this is a rather tricky skill that youll need to master in high school.

Your paper will be divided into three sections, 6-10 pages in total. The exact length of these sections is up to you.
Images can count for up to one page of the page count.
Search Starting Points (20 points)
Explain why learning more about this topic is personally important for you.
Explain what you already knew about the topic before you even started researching.
Give enough background so that someone who has never heard of your artist knows at least the basics.
Let readers know what you want to learn and why. State your main question and other questions that
support it.
Search Results (50 points)
Describe the results of your search for information and understanding of your artist.
How did you learn more about your artist? Your search for greater understanding of your artist might well
include an activity from this list: go to a library and check out books; watch a related movie; go to a concert;
perform some music; download song lyrics; perform a specific kind of dance; go to an art gallery; draw
imitating someone elses style; and so on
Explain what you learned by writing about what you did. Summarize what you did and develop your ideas
using direct quotations and paraphrases. Photographs, illustrations, video clips, audio clips, and other
artifacts could be included in this section.
As you write about what you learned, think of it as a journey. You may report on disappointing avenues of
inquiry (such as a book you couldnt track down and a person who was not willing to be interviewed) as
well as unexpected gold mines.
Keep notes as you research. You will need these notes to create a Works Cited page at the end. Properly cite
all information from sources use quotation marks for words that are not your own.
Search Reflections (20 points)
Discuss what you learned from your research experience. How do you feel about what you have learned?
How has what you have learned changed how you will experience this artists work in the future? How
might what you learned shape your development as a creative person?
Points will also be awarded for: Quality of presentation (5 points) and Works Cited page (5 points)

At the end of the project I will also offer the option of presenting your project (you choose the format) to
the whole class for extra credit points.
IMPORTANT DATES:
- Section one (Search Starting Points) due by Friday, March 27. It will be 1-2 pages in length.
This first part needs to done in Google docs, using the specified formatting for an academic paper,
so that you have practice using that system; please see me if Google docs causes problems for you.
Unfortunately I cannot be 100% sure if we will have laptops in the classroom beyond March 27, so
I will say that Sections 2 and 3 can be either handwritten or typed.
-

The due date for the final project (all three parts) is April 17. This gives you four weeks to
work on it; if you write two pages a week, you will have a very solid 8-page paper by April 17.
However, dont forget to build in time to proofread and revise your work.

MAP testing for 8th grade is penciled in for April 27-29 but there is a possibility that these
dates may move earlier. This project must be wrapped up before we move into that part of the
school year.

WHAT WILL WE BE DOING

IN THE FOURTH QUARTER?
There is no specific book we will read together this quarter. Instead we will read many poems and
short stories, both from the textbook and photocopied handouts.
Heres an outline of what to expect:

A little more practice on MEAL paragraphs

Poetry - April is National Poetry Month (test on key poetry terms)

I-Search paper due April 17

MAP testing penciled in for April 27-29 but may move earlier. We will need to spend some
time preparing for the MAP test, which is a different format compared to previous years.

Review of all the literary terms weve used this year (test on key literary terms)

If time allows, well do also do a review of the proofreading marks we learned at start of the year

Various short stories (with emphasis on discussion skills)

No school on Friday, April 3 (professional development day) or Monday, May 25 (Memorial

Day).

Sun Theater assignment = 5% of grade for the quarter

I Search paper = 25 % of grade for the quarter

I already have an M for MISSING in the Q4 gradebook. What should I do?

-

Complete the work to earn the points! (Obviously)

If you have not done the Melting Pot MEAL paragraph, please ask me for this handout and
complete it by Friday, March 27.

The same goes for the Sun Theater assignment. Dont just write it in Google docs you must send
a link to tim.woodcock@grandcenterartsacademy.org for me to be able to grade it.

I will not grade any more late papers beyond March 27, with an exception for students who have
been seriously ill or suspended.