Search a Word
Due 22 April 2002

Researching the Word

Choose one word from the attached list that you think you can live with for a while.

You will research the history of this word, including its etymology and use in literature. Be sure to write down the bibliographic information for each source you use. Use a separate note card for each source. You can put notes on one side and the bibliographic citation on the other side. This procedure allows for easy organization of your sources when you write your paper.

You need to use each of the following sources of information, you may do the first group in any order, but save Galenet for the last step. You will use both print and online sources, links can be found on the Library Home Page at http://edweb.tusd.k12.az.us/pueblo/library under "Search A Word."

• Look up your word in a print unabridged dictionary. Hand copy the etymological information, consult the abbreviation key to decipher the information given. Read through the various definitions and hand copy the one you think is most common today. In some dictionaries this will be first, and in some dictionaries it will be last. Hand copy or photocopy other relevant definitions as you see fit. Note: You must use a print dictionary. There is no adequate unabridged dictionary available for free on the Internet.
• Look up your word in the index to The American Heritage Dictionary of Indo-European Roots, call # R412 Am. Then look up the root in the text and hand copy the complete entry.
• Look up your word in a thesaurus. You may use a print copy or the link to Webster's Collegiate Thesaurus from the class link on the Library Home Page. Hand copy the first group of synonyms and all the boldfaced words. You might need these synonyms as substitutes for your word if you run into difficulty finding your original word in some of the sources.
• Look up your word in The New Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, call # R 220.52 ST (a concordance is a detailed index or study guide). In addtition, the library has two print indices in the Reference section or you can use The Bible Gateway online. If you click on this link and get a message from Websense that says "Access to the desired Web page is restricted at this time", then find the "Continue" button and click on it. Find a verse which contains your word. Hand copy that verse and the verses before and after it. Copy the same three verses from two different translations of the Bible.
• Look up your word in a Shakespeare concordance such as The Standard Book of Shakespeare Quotations by Burton Stevenson, call # R 822.33 Sh or The Oxford Shakespeare Edited by W. J. Craig, available at the Bartleby.com link from the class page. Hand copy the whole speech and the speeches before and after.
• Look up your word in the "Verse" section of Bartleby.com or Granger's Index to Poetry call # R 808.81 GR. Hand copy a poem containing your word.
• Look up your word in a book of quotations or online at Bartleby.com. Hand copy a quotation in which your word appears, including all identifying information.
• Look up your word in the Oxford English Dictionary. Hand copy the first paragraph. If the word is listed more than once, then use the noun entry.

  Last step:
  Use Galenet (password: warriors) and choose Student Edition to find a magazine article which contains your word. Read it and hand write a summary. You may print out a copy of the article that is no more than 3 pages long, but you still need to hand write your summary. Don't forget the bibliographic information.

Writing the Paper

This paper is as much about the process of discovering your word as it is about your word itself. Feel free to use "I" in this paper. Here is one possible method of organization for your paper. However, this is your paper, and I encourage you to choose a method of organization which best "shows off" the information you have gathered and allows you to integrate that information with your interpretation, personal insights, and experience with this search into an effective paper. Remember, it is your voice which will unify the whole paper.

Introduction:

Paragraph 1: Write the most interesting thing you discovered about your word itself.

Paragraph 2: Tell the story of your overall search for information about your word. Be sure to describe any difficulties you encountered in making your search.

Body:
Paragraphs 3-11: Write one or more paragraphs on each source, including your summary of the information, your interpretation of that information, and your personal comment on what you found. In each paragraph, be sure to use parenthetical documentation (I will provide you with guidelines). Remember, you are reporting what you have learned.

Conclusion:

Final paragraph: Write your response to this project. Overall, what did you learn? Did you like the method? Were you frustrated? Did you amaze yourself with your ability to handle reference tools and write such an impressive paper?

Works cited:
This information is online and linked to the Library Home Page.

Submitting the Paper
When you turn in this research package, it should include all of your notes, photocopies, rough drafts, and the final copy of your paper.

I-Search a Word list (please note that these are Nouns):