This document provides instructions for writing an I-Search paper, which involves researching a topic of interest. The paper has three sections: the story of the search process, what was learned, and reflections on the search. Students are guided to keep a search journal documenting their research steps and progress. They are also instructed on how to evaluate sources, take notes on source cards, and create a works cited page in MLA format.

1. I-Search Papers The Story of Your Search

5. Starting a Search Journal Topic: Gang Violence That quick interview was very helpful. The police officer told me about a recent arrest in the area. I managed to ask a police officer at the grocery store a few questions about gangs in the area. April 14 th I should have tried to interview a police officer instead. I may have waited too long though. I wanted to interview the mayor about gang violence in my city, but he was constantly busy or in meetings. April 13 th Once Mr. Osborn helped me with some keywords, finding information became much easier. I checked out a book from the library about gangs, and I found an FBI website with anti-gang initiatives and partnerships. April 11 th Thoughts on Progress Research Results and Progress Date

7. Source Cards 1 Raptopoulos, Kilby. "Gangs." The Eighties in America . Ed. Milton Berman and Tracy Irons-Georges. Vol. 1. Pasadena, CA: Salem Press, 2008. 399-400. Gale Virtual Reference Library . Web. 29 Mar. 2011. Source number

9. Note Cards – Direct Quotation 1 “ Historically, gangs in the United States have been confined to urban areas, especially New York, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and Chicago. However, throughout the 1970's and 1980's, gangs spread to other urban areas and even to smaller cities in nearly all fifty states” (Raptopoulos 399)

10. Note Cards – Summary 1 Gangs are generally groups of young people from large cities who participate in crime and claim stake in a specific area. (Page 399)

11. Note Cards - Paraphrase 1 The Crips, a gang originating from Los Angeles, began to spread across the continental United States as sales from crack cocaine flourished in the 1980’s. (Raptopoulos 399)

13. Works Cited - Sample Works Cited Barbour, Scott, ed. Gangs . Detroit: Gale, 2006. Print. “ Gangs” FBI.gov . Federal Bureau of Investigation, 17 Mar. 2011. Web. 29 Mar. 2011 Raptopoulos, Kilby. "Gangs." The Eighties in America . Ed. Milton Berman and Tracy Irons-Georges. Vol. 1. Pasadena, CA: Salem Press, 2008. 399-400. Gale Virtual Reference Library . Web. 29 Mar. 2011.