Writing from ResearchTen Steps to a Research Paper

http://smith-english.wikispaces.com/file/view/Writing+from+Research.ppt

Research Paper: Ten Steps

1. Propose a topic2. Research3. Note cards4. Concept map5. Thesis statement6. Outline7. First draft8. Revise/edit first draft9. Proofread10.Submit final draft

Step 1: Identifying your topic

•The first step in the research process.•Your topic must be

▫broad enough to allow for an in depth investigation and discussion, yet

▫narrow enough to address in a paper 

Step 2: Researching your topic•Journals and magazines•Books•Newspapers•Databases•Web sites •As you read, you will begin to get a better

understanding of your topic•You will begin formulate your thesis

▫The position that you will take about your topic.

Step 3: Taking notes• Record key ideas and supporting details from your

source material. Keep track of the information, as well as the source of this

information. Write your notes in your own words, paraphrasing your

sources. Record quotes carefully and sparingly.

• Be sure to include all source information for the material you use.

Title, author, publication, date of publication, publisher, and city of publication.

Electronic sources must include the URL address and date of access. 

Step 4: Concept Mapping•Using your notes

▫Identify all key points or main ideas about your topic.

▫Cluster all supporting points around each main point identified.

•Do not edit yourself. ▫This will be done later when you develop

your outline. 

Concept Map

Play with concept maps

•3 possible topics•Consider questions about your topic

▫Topic: Shakespeare and authorship▫Did Shakespeare write the plays?

•Four related questions•Consider further questions•Construct three concept maps about your

topic(s)

Getting some background

•Read one article on your topic from:▫Wikipedia▫The New York Times

Times Topics▫Other recognized news source or

encyclopedia•Copy and paste the URL for each article

into your notes.

For Monday, October 4th

•Your chosen topic.▫You may still change your mind.

•Read background information.•Frame an essential question.•Tuesday: We visit the library

Assignment

•Statement of your topic or question▫Did Shakespeare write the plays?

•Universal Resource Language: URL▫Global address of documents and other

resources on the Internet▫Example

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shakespeare_authorship_question

•Send statement and 3 URLS by e-mail:▫kategjones@verizon.net

Thesis Statement

•Answers a question▫Interprets a question or subject▫Takes a stand

•Provides an organizing principle.•Establishes expectations for your paper.•Is usually the last sentence in your

introduction.

Your Essay’s Central Argument

•A good thesis statement:▫Is concise and well-written. ▫Goes in the introductory paragraph. ▫Is clearly asserted at the beginning of your

paper. ▫Makes an argument. ▫Is the road map to the argument you will

subsequently develop in your paper.

Thesis vs. Opinion•Unlike an opinion, a thesis

▫Conveys to the reader that the claim being offered has been thoroughly explored

▫Is defendable by evidence. ▫Answers the "what" question (what is the

argument?) and ▫Gives the reader a clue as to the "why"

question (why is this argument the most persuasive?).

Is this a good thesis statement?

•"A candidate’s ability to afford television advertising affects the outcome of Congressional elections."

Better

•"The ability to purchase television advertising is essential for any candidate's bid for election to the Senate because television reaches millions of people and thus has the ability to dramatically increase name recognition.“▫A thesis statement is not a statement of

fact.

Is this a good thesis statement?

•"The United Nations was established to promote diplomacy between major powers."

•The organizational structure of the United Nations, namely consensus voting in the security council, makes it incapable of preventing war between major powers."

Thesis statements are not merely opinion statements• Congressional elections are simply the result of who has

the most money." ▫ This statement does make a claim, ▫ but in this format it is too much of an opinion and ▫ not enough of an argument.

• "The United Nations is incapable of preventing war" ▫ is closer to a thesis statement than the factual statement

above because it raises a point that is debatable. ▫ But in this format, it doesn't offer the reader much

information; ▫ it sounds like the author is simply stating a viewpoint that

may or may not be substantiated by evidence.

Your thesis should make clear•What your argument is; •Why your argument is persuasive.

Body of the Paper

•Gathers and organizes evidence that will persuade the reader of the logic of your interpretation.

•Weaves quotations from your sources into your argument.

•Refers back to your thesis.

Conclusion

•Paraphrases your thesis•Summarizes your evidence•Leaves your reader with something to

think about.