Research Paper

Fitting your Research to Your Thesis.

Review of Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is a single sentence that states the claim, or argument of your essay. It is not a fact. It is not a question. It must be specific.

Strong Thesis vs. Weak Thesis A strong thesis is a specific claim that reviews the material in

the paper. Thesis: Although Ben Franklin is well known in American

history as a diplomat, he was also an accomplished scientist and an important philanthropist.

A weak thesis is vague and does not establish a structure for the paper.

Thesis: Ben Franklin was a very important leader in American history.(This gives no specific arguments.)

Outline Reflective of Thesis (the thesis statement sets up the outline)

Thesis: Although Ben Franklin is well known in American history as a diplomat, he was also an accomplished scientist and an important philanthropist.

Outline:I. Diplomat

A. Constitutional Conventions B. American Ambassador

II. Inventor A. Experiments with Electrictiy B. Studies of Ocean Currents and Tides

C. Inventions III. Philanthropist

A. First American Post Master B. First Volunteer Fire Department C. First Hospital

Research—Finding the Right Information If you have a strong thesis and a logical,

well-structured outline, you know exactly the types of information you should be trying to find.

If your thesis is weak, or if you do not have a well-structured outline YOU SHOULD CHANGE YOUR THESIS AND OUTLINE BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING NOTES.

Note Cards—Structure

Author’s Last Name Outline Heading D.Q./

P

“Information goes in middle of the card. Each card should contain one piece of information, directly relating to one of your roman numerals from the outline.”

Page Number

-or- ____ of ____

Use Author’s Last name OR the First Keyword from the title if you don’t have an author.

This heading should be one of the Roman numerals from your outline.

This label states whether your card is a direct quote (written word for word from the text) or a paraphrase (written in your own words).

The page number is very, very important in order to properly cite information. If it is an electronic source, put page numbers as ___ of ___

Example Note Cards

Smith Scientist D.Q.

“In 1743, Franklin founded the American Philosophical Society to help scientific men discuss their discoveries.”

256

Thesis: Although Ben Franklin is well known in American history as a diplomat, he was also an accomplished scientist and an important philanthropist.

This card covers all of the necessary information, directly relates to a roman numeral on the outline, and is correctly labeled as a direct quote. PLEASE NOTE: In addition to the D.Q. label, it also contains quotation marks.

Example Note Cards—No Author

“Becoming” Philanthropist P

Franklin and several of his associates created a library company and opened the first public library in Philadelphia in 1732.

7

of 15

This particular card is from a source with no author entitled “Becoming America: Benjamin Franklin’s Rise to Influence in Colonial America.

This card also covers one of the outline topics, but it has no author, so a keyword is used instead of author. Also, please note that this is a paraphrase card (a card placed in your own words), and because it is an electronic source, pages are listed as __ of __. PLEASE NOTE: DATABASE sources are electronic sources. Although they give original pages, you should put them down as __ of __ because you are using the electronic form.

Steps to Cover Before you Begin your Note Cards

1. Be sure that your thesis is clear, specific, and previews your information.

2. Determine the main topics (three or four) that your thesis covers. These will be the roman numerals on your outline.

3. Begin looking through your information, focusing ONLY on the information that discusses your three or four main topics (roman numerals on your outline).

Introduction Cards and other Information to Remember Introduction Cards—occasionally, you will find information

that you think is interesting but does not fit into one of your roman numeral topics. It is acceptable to write a note card with this type of information to use in an introduction or conclusion. You should not take more than five introduction Note Cards.

Keeping your Information—When you turn in your paper, you will need to also turn in any printed sources that you use for your notes. This would include printed copies of internet materials.

Staying Specific—Be sure that each card specifically relates to part of your outline.

Avoid Cluttering your Card—The purpose of note cards is to be able to easily organize your information. Therefore, each card should be a specific piece of information that you will use in your paper, do not write several different pieces of information on one card.

Note Card Format and Grading You are required to turn in 40 Note Cards for your next

deadline: due on Wednesday, March 11th Cards must contain all of the following information: 1)

Author OR keyword if there is no author 2) Topic Heading that corresponds to Outline 3) D.Q. or P Label 4) Clear information that relates to topic (and quotation marks if it is a D.Q.) 5) Page numbers, list as __ of ___ if it is an electronic source

Use one specific piece of information per card, but be sure it is useful information that will help support your thesis

Grading Criteria will be based upon: 1) Format of Cards (follow the guidelines in this packet) 2) Amount of Cards (minimum of 40 good cards—if you include several extra “fluff” cards, you will lose points) 3) Use of Appropriate Information 4) Use of a variety of sources 5) Covering all 3 major topics.