Research Organizer & Essay Assignment: J.R.R. Tolkien

Research and Write About J.R.R. Tolkien, Author of The Lord of the Rings This 6-page teaching resource provides students the opportunity to research and write a 5-paragraph essay on J.R.R. Tolkien, author of the acclaimed Lord of the Rings series. Through scaffolded worksheets, outlines, checklists and rubrics, students will gather facts, organize research, draft, peer review, revise and submit a final paper on Tolkien's life and works. The step-by-step materials guide students from initial background research through final essay submission. A research and note-taking worksheet assists students in finding facts and quality sources on Tolkien. Next, an essay outline activity structures the information into an introduction, body paragraph topics, and conclusion format. Students then utilize a peer review checklist before revising their paper for a final grade (CCSS-aligned rubric included). This resource can be implemented as a complete research lesson or integrated into parts of a broader unit plan. The materials are designed for secondary ELA grades 6-11, fitting a range of proficiency levels through its scaffolded approach. Skills focused on include research, note-taking, outlining, drafting, revising, and final paper writing.