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INSPIRATION

You WILL get through this

You will be proud of what you have accomplished

You will likely refer to this experience in the college application process

You will be prepared for college

THE MOST IMPORTANT PART…

RESEARCH!

Learn something! Discover something!

EXPLORATORY ARGUMENT

Your thesis should develop during the research process

You’re looking for insight and depth

You want to narrow your thesis appropriately for the page limit

Not your typical controversial argument

FINDING A TOPIC

Start with broad categories and see what’s out there Topics related to a future career or field of study? Topics related to a passion or hobby? Topics related to a personal experience or relationship?

SOME IDEAS

Education: Difference between AP and Climb students, nature versus nurture, alternative assessments to standardized testing, best practices in teaching writing, mentoring new teachers

Passion/ Hobby: dog training, traveling, charities, political beliefs, etc.

Experiences/ Relationships: managerial styles, overcoming loss, nursing homes, relationship recovery, small colleges

RESEARCH STRATEGIES

Take TIME! Get more sources than you need.

Get CREDIBLE sources.

Explore all aspects of the

issue.

Write down everything you

need for citations (both in-text and

works cited page).

Take notes in an organized fashion.

CREDIBLE COLLEGE SOURCES

Use general web sources ONLY to spark ideas or find other resources

Seek academic journals and books

Find the original source whenever possible

Go beyond our library!

NOTE-TAKING STRATEGIES

Note cards

Two column notes

Annotating/ color coding

Your own method…but take notes!

For any method- distinguish between information you can paraphrase and direct quotations

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

The MLA citation followed by a description of what the source says and how it was helpful to you

More information to come

Due Monday, April 6th!

ORGANIZING THE PAPER

Five Part Argument

Anecdotal Argument

Exploratory

Organization

FIVE PART CLASSICAL ARGUMENT

Introduction

Narration (Context): Provide relevant background information and set up the stakes

Confirmation (Argument): Laying out claims and evidence to support your argument

Refutation and Concession: Anticipate and address objections.

Summation (Conclusion)

http://faculty.winthrop.edu/kosterj/archives/WRIT102/classicalargument.htm

ANECDOTAL ARGUMENT

Anecdote 1

Anecdote 2

Anecdote 3

Connection between stories/ thesis

Direct argument

Refutation

Conclusion

EXPLORATORY ORGANIZATION

Context/ questions

Explore/ discuss pertinent issues

Make relevant concessions

Support your position

Conclusion with thesis statement