The I-Search paper is designed to teach the writer and reader something valuable about a chosen topic and about the nature of searching and discovery.

The I-Search paper is designed to teach the writer and reader something valuable about a chosen topic and about the nature of searching and discovery. In contrast to a standard research paper in which the writer usually assumes a detached and objective stance, an I-Search allows you to take an active role in your inquiry and search, to explore facts and truths firsthand, and to provide a step-by-step record of your discovery process. Be sure to draw from everything you learned and experienced in this course, including your EL tutoring and the readings and assignments you have completed (e.g, RPs, etc.)

Student example paper linked here

TOPIC: All 170 students have the same topic question:  What have I learned about bilingual education and the education of English learners by studying the texts, doing the class work, and by applying both to the tutoring of an EL/EB student? Demonstrate in this paper that you know both the theory (“I observed the student’s listening receptive skills were still in the silent preproduction stage…”) and practice of methods for ELs (“the EL student wrote in our OLE Interactive Journal…)

Title Page (this counts as 1 page)

Part 1. What I Know, Assume, or Imagine. Before conducting any formal research, do a quick-write (approximately ½ to 1 page, double-spaced) where you explain to the reader what you think you know, what you assume, or what you imagine about bilingual education and the educating of English learners. [Note: This will be based on the KWL you did at the beginning of this course – type it up in a paragraph format  for your paper.)

Part 2. The Search. Test your knowledge, assumptions, or conjectures by researching your topic thoroughly.  Reference course resources and consult useful books, magazines, newspapers, films, websites and other sources of information. Also access Library resources.  If possible, interview people who are authorities on or who are familiar with your topic. The main events, however, are the study of the assigned texts and your observations of EL students – as recorded in your logs. Also draw from what you wrote in your Response Papers (no need to reinvent the wheel for this section.) The Logs, RPs, etc., are a component of your I-Search research. If you do them well, they will provide a solid basis for your analysis in your I-Search paper. Again, draw from them for this paper.  

• Write your search in narrative form, (about 4-5 pages, double-spaced) recording the steps of the discovery process.
• Address key theories of language acquisition: (e.g. lanugage theories and hypotheses such as affective filter, L1→ L2 language transfer, linguistic supports, etc.) and important issues (e.g. compliance, program, equity, biliteracy, advocacy, parent involvement, etc.).
• Do not feel obligated to tell everything, but highlight the facts you uncovered that were crucial to your search and contributed to your understanding of the topic.
• Document all your sources of information, using APA style:  In the text, name the source in parenthesis, date of publication, and page # (if quote is used), e.g. The classroom I observed reminded me of the dual immersion program described in Garcia & Kleifgen (2018).  A Reference page at the end of your paper should note the full references of what you have cited. If you are citing articles from the textbooks, indicate the actual author – not just course textbooks. (Refer to the current APA guide to ensure you are following the appropriate APA formatting and rules.)

Part 3: What I Discovered.  After conducting your search and completing your logs, write 3-4 double-spaced pages comparing what you thought you knew, assumed, or imagined about EL teaching and bilingual education with what you actually discovered through observing and analyzing what how your ideas/thoughts changed. Offer some personal commentary about this experience and draw some conclusions, such as any attitudinal changes and how you will apply what you learned in your future teaching. 

Reference Page: Add a Reference page with a minimum of 5 references, including articles, websites, etc. (approximately 1 page, doubled-spaced). Must use current APA format style.

I-SEARCH PAPER / RUBRIC (10 pages, double-spaced)                                              (35 points possible)

In this paper, you need to address the topic question in this paper – “What have I learned about bilingual education and the education of English learners by studying the texts, doing the class work, and by applying both to the tutoring of an EL/EB student?”

Title Page 2.5 points

Part I – What I know, assume, or imagine about bilingual education and the educating of English

learners – Did you include the K-W from your KWL (~½ to 1 page); 10 points

Part II – The Search:  Did you thoroughly address the “search”? (~3-4 pages); 10 points

Part III – What I Discovered: Did you thoroughly address “what I discovered”? (~3-4 pages); 10 points

Reference Page: Did you include at least 5 references using APA format style? (~1 page); 2.5 points

To earn the full points per section, please include a clear description of your insights and reflection.  Sections should be clearly bolded with minimal page breaks with empty space between sections.  Remember to refer to the page length guidelines.  You are to use 12 point font with a maximum of 1 inch for all page margins.  

Turnitin will be used to review your assignment for originality and plagiarism.  A score up to 25% is considered acceptable as this may include common phrases, citations, and headings.  Any score above 25% will be subject to further review by the professor.  The assignment may receive a significant grade reduction and in some cases, may not be accepted as original work due to concerns about plagiarism or the use of AI generated content.  The Hornet Honor code will be abided by