Research ProcessResearch Process20092009

Sophomore English Research Sophomore English Research PaperPaper

Research Goals: Research Goals: Thurs 10/8 – Fri Thurs 10/8 – Fri 10/1610/16

Thurs 10/8Thurs 10/8: : – Narrow research topicsNarrow research topics– Create a working thesis Create a working thesis (due Thurs; 10 pts)(due Thurs; 10 pts)

Thurs 10/8 & Fri 10/9Thurs 10/8 & Fri 10/9: : – Gather a bunch of research that connects a Gather a bunch of research that connects a

specific part or aspect of history to a specific specific part or aspect of history to a specific part or element within your bookpart or element within your book

Thurs 10/15:Thurs 10/15: – Finalized thesis statement due in class. Finalized thesis statement due in class. (15 pts)(15 pts)

Fri 10/16Fri 10/16– Rough draft of introduction dueRough draft of introduction due

What is a thesis statement:What is a thesis statement: It is a roadmap for the paperIt is a roadmap for the paper

Specifically answersSpecifically answers the question that’s asked the question that’s asked of you!of you!– A thesis is an interpretation of a question or topic, not A thesis is an interpretation of a question or topic, not

the subject itself.the subject itself.

Makes a claim that can be argued or debatedMakes a claim that can be argued or debated

Is usually a single sentence at the end of your Is usually a single sentence at the end of your first paragraphfirst paragraph– The rest of your paper (the body of your essay) The rest of your paper (the body of your essay)

organizes and analyzes research that supports and organizes and analyzes research that supports and proves the interpretation you made in your thesis.proves the interpretation you made in your thesis.

How do I “get” a thesis?How do I “get” a thesis? Formulating a thesis is NOT the first thing you do Formulating a thesis is NOT the first thing you do

after reading an essay or assignment.after reading an essay or assignment.

BEFORE you develop an argument on any topic, BEFORE you develop an argument on any topic, take 3 steps:take 3 steps:

1.1. Research! Collect and organize information & Research! Collect and organize information & evidenceevidence

2.2. Look for a possible relationship between the facts Look for a possible relationship between the facts (such as surprising contrasts or similarities)(such as surprising contrasts or similarities)

3.3. Think about the significance of these relationshipsThink about the significance of these relationships

Once you do this, you will have a “working thesis”, Once you do this, you will have a “working thesis”, a basic or main idea that you think you can a basic or main idea that you think you can support with evidencesupport with evidence

What’s the difference between a working thesis and a thesis?

A working thesis is just a thesis that isn't sure of itself yet

It gives you a focus and starting point for your research, but it might not take a specific angle yet

– Once you gather a variety of research on this topic, you can turn your working thesis into your final thesis

– Try to be as narrow as possible with your working thesis so that you don’t have to re-do research once you finalize your thesis

A working thesis should look A working thesis should look something like this:something like this:

Specific topicSpecific topic + + Attitude/Angle/Argument Attitude/Angle/Argument = = ThesisThesis

What you plan to argueWhat you plan to argue + + How How you plan to argue ityou plan to argue it = = ThesisThesis

Example: Novel:

– Of Mice and Men

Research question: – How was Of Mice and Men

influenced by history, the author’s culture or society, or the author’s personal experiences

How could I narrow my topic?

History: – The Great

Depression– Lives of Migrant

Workers– People’s (mis)

understanding of mental disability during the 1930’s

– Racial segregation

In the novel:– George and Lennie

were migrant workers

– The setting of the book took place in California on a ranch

– No one had money– Loneliness vs.

friendship was a big theme in the novel

Example 1? Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck deals with migrant workers during the Great Depression.

Example 2? The setting of John Steinbeck’s novel, Of Mice and Men, was influenced by the effects of the Great Depression.

Example 3? The unstable and lonely experiences of Depression-Era migrant workers is expressed in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men through the characters’ desire to belong somewhere.

What could be my working thesis? Remember it must Remember it must address the topicaddress the topic and and state state how/why.how/why.

Good working thesis:

The unstable and lonely experiences of Depression-Era migrant workers is expressed in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men through the characters’ desires to belong somewhere.

Specific aspect of history (Not just ‘The Great Depression’ or ‘migrant workers’ but the loneliness that the migrant workers faced

Specific element of the story that will be analyzed in connection to the historical influence (not just “Of Mice and Men)

Always include the author & title in the thesis

HW due Thursday:

Bring in your typed working thesis statement to class tomorrow and post it to turnitin.com by 8:15 am Thurs 10/8.

* no one is there yet! Look at your notes, research, and my examples to help you.

10 points

MLA format (heading)

Your research and thesis…Your research and thesis…

1.1. Gather research on your poet’s lifeGather research on your poet’s life2.2. Read and annotate poetry by your poetRead and annotate poetry by your poet3.3. Look for connections or similarities between the tone and Look for connections or similarities between the tone and

themes of his poetry and the events in his lifethemes of his poetry and the events in his life4.4. Create a working thesis that states a specific claim about Create a working thesis that states a specific claim about

how how your poet’s life has affected or influenced his workyour poet’s life has affected or influenced his work5.5. Collect more research that focuses specifically on this Collect more research that focuses specifically on this

claimclaim narrow down your research; create an annotated narrow down your research; create an annotated

bibliographybibliography Collect specific quotes from both the poetry and from Collect specific quotes from both the poetry and from

the research to support your analysisthe research to support your analysis

Question: How has (your poet’s) life influence his/her work?