SCORE A:
A Student Research Paper Writing Strategy
Korinek, L., & Bulls, J.A. (1996, Summer). SCORE A: A student research paper
writing strategy. Teaching Exceptional Children, 60-63.
SCORE A is a writing strategy that covers the development of a topical research
paper. It provides a concrete, sequential structure for students to develop and
write papers on selected topics. You need to assess prerequisite skills: outlining,
scanning literature, paraphrasing, and paragraph writing. If necessary, teach these
skills before starting the paper. Allow at least 6-9 weeks to work on the SCORE A
process, to ensure student mastery and provide feedback. Model each step and
have students practice. The student papers serve as a posttest for the SCORE A
strategy.
Select a Subject
• Topic can either be assigned or student selected.
Create Categories
• Students generate possible subtopics or categories under the selected
subject.
• Identify categories to be researched.
• Provide individual copies of an empty graphic organizer (see figure 1).
 The top-down graphic serves as a visual reference for organization of the research paper.
Obtain Sources
• Help students choose relevant resources at the appropriate reading level.
Read and Take Notes
• Students paraphrase information and write it on note cards.
 Cards include: title of source, page number, category title, and one fact
Evenly Organize Information
• Students make heading cards for each category listed on the category
sheet.
• Note cards are placed under the appropriate category heading according to
importance.
Apply the Process Writing Steps
• Process Writing Steps include:
 Planning or prewriting
 Drafting or writing
 Revising or rewriting
• In this final step, students draft, edit, and rewrite their papers with
feedback from peers and the teachers. Students construct paragraphs for
each category of information and write an introduction and a conclusion to
their papers.
Figure 1
Top-Down Graphic Organizer