Welcome to the 3rd International Weeks!

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Basics about the IWeeks

Essay specifications

An introduction ... to the introduction!

Topics from 2010


Dear pupils of year nine, dear colleagues, dear parents!

In the time from 31 January to 11 February the pupils of year nine are working in three subjects - English, History and Politics - about Europe. The pupils are going to write an English language paper about a topic from a European country.

The paper will be credited as a class test. It is structured like most scientific papers. You can download the basic structure on the right (Template). The word count of the essay must not be above 1000! This paper will be excellent preparation for the Facharbeit in year 11, the extended essay for those who will do the IB and of course for any scientific paper you are going to write at university. On the right you can download two documents that will help you with your references ('see How to quote').

On the right you can also find a list with potential fields of investigation but beware! These are not the topics yet! You must find a decent research question to limit your field and to focus on one particular aspect.

Example: 'Charles Lindbergh' is not a topic but only a field of investigation. But: 'The Stardom of C. Lindbergh' is a topic because the field is narrowed down to the aspect of stardom. An appropriate yet simple RQ (research question) could be: 'Was Charles Lindbergh the first global media star?'

The teachers from all three subjects will help you with finding a topic and forming the RQ.

The pupils will be provided with some introductory material about Europe. We strongly recommend the pupils to bring their own material though! Please go to libraries and borrow books, buy magazines or books yourself. You can, of course, also bring your notebook computer to school. If so it may be useful to install an encyclopedia on your pc to have some initial help. An encyclopedia, however, should not be used as your source - only as the first reading about a certain field!

You can also work in the pc rooms at school but they may not always be available so again - take printed material to school!

The pupils must use their individual checklists to know at every point in time during the IWeeks how far they have got with their work. The teachers must check the pupils' work and sign the last column.

The class list will be put on the wall in the classroom. The pupils have to sign the class checklist after they have finished a step so that we all know how far they have progressed.

In your checklist you can find the deadlines. The paper has to be handed in by 12 o'clock on 14 February 2010.

The thesis / paper will be marked in three parts: form, content and language.

On the right you can also find two other useful documents (essay writing, sentence connectives) which will help you to improve your written English by using phrases needed for a thesis.

Enjoy the research and let's have two hard working, productive weeks!

If there are any questions concerning the IWeeks, do not hesitate to ask your teachers or send a mail!

Ms Bergheim, Mr Grigull, Mrs Neumann-Schillings, Mr Boergen

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An Introduction ... to the Introduction!

Many pupils are asking 'What should I write in the introduction?' First of all it is important that you usually write the introduction after you have finished writing your main part! Only then you will know what you have written. For more information it is best to view these sites:

Guide to Essay Writing

Uni Learning

Essay Lab

Custom Essays

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