Anatomy of a research paper:

Thesis and paper sketch

Summary: Write a thesis and introductory paragraph for your hypothetical research paper.

Goals:

Practice developing a thesis based on research sources.
Think about how to structure a paper supporting that thesis and what evidence will be required.

Due: Thursday, November 20, in class.

Assignment

There are five smaller parts to this assignment; please read the entire assignment before you begin.

Part A: Thesis

The Research Room (http://www.esc.edu/esconline/across_esc/writerscomplex.nsf/wholeshortlinks2/Research+Room+Menu) includes a one-page tutorial on developing a research thesis. Please work through this tutorial.

Based on your research question and your reading of the sources you have gathered, write a working thesis for your project. How will you answer your research question? What will you argue?

Please talk with me if you are having difficulty developing a thesis or are not sure whether your thesis is appropriate.

Part B: Introductory paragraph

Place your thesis in context by writing an introductory paragraph for a hypothetical 6-10 page paper arguing your thesis. This introductory paragraph will need to set the stage by explaining your topic or briefly describing the ideas you are responding to, as well as stating your thesis. It should take the form "they say/I say" and may even draw upon templates from that book.

Part C: Outline

Briefly outline the remainder of your hypothetical paper, perhaps by writing a sentence to describe each paragraph. What points will you make in support of your thesis? What sources will you use as evidence?

Part D: Title

Develop a working title for your hypothetical paper.

Part E: Reflection

Answer the following questions. For each prompt, write a short paragraph in response. Each paragraph should use standard spelling and grammar and include a topic sentence that rephrases some aspect(s) of the prompt.

Did the Research Room tutorial help you develop your thesis and the corresponding outline? Why or why not?
Were you able to develop an interesting thesis that is well supported by the sources you have already found? If so, how did you do it? If not, what aspects of your thesis need more supporting evidence? What kind of evidence do you need, and how would you try to find it?
Imagine you were going to develop this introductory paragraph and outline into a 6-10 page research paper. What would be your very next step? Why?

What to turn in

You will format your assignment as if it were a very, very rough first draft of the hypothetical research paper. Type a document including the following components:

Your working title should be at the top.
Your introductory paragraph should follow. Highlight your thesis.
Place your outline beneath the introductory paragraph.
Acknowledge any help you've gotten on this project.
List the references you plan to use (from earlier parts of your project).
On a separate page, give your answers to the three reflection questions.

Please use at least 1" margins, 1.5- or double-spacing, and a 10-12 point font. I encourage you to save paper by printing on both sides. Be sure to put your name on the assignment.

Print your document and bring it to class on Thursday, November 20.

Evaluation

I will evaluate your assignment on the clarity, scope, and shape of your thesis; the appropriateness of your introductory paragraph and outline to the thesis; and the clarity and thoughtfulness of your reflections.

Janet Davis (davisjan@cs.grinnell.edu)

Created November 12, 2008
Last revised November 12, 2008