PART I Planning the Research

STEP 1:SELECT A SUBJECT Research: is the process of gathering facts and evidence about a topic. Once you have gathered your information, you write a formal presentation, called a research paper.

STEP 1:SELECT A SUBJECT Paper presents the results of your investigation. Research paper makes a point and then supports that point with evidence.

SKILLS NEEDED Reading Writing Organizing Planning Note-taking Thinking clearly

STEP 1: SELECT A SUBJECT Can be assigned a general topic area Can be an idea of your own REMEMBER! SELECT A SUBJECT THAT INTERESTS YOU!

STEP 1: SELECT A SUBJECT UNDERSTAND THE LIMITS OF YOUR ASSIGNMENT Length of the paper Time allotted to do it Subject: Is it content specific?

STEP 1: SELECT A SUBJECT UNDERSTAND THE LIMITS OF YOUR RESOURCES Too technical or complex Enough info?

STEP 1: SELECT A SUBJECT RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT You are to research a 21 st century topic and  explain the negative or positive impact or the importance of it; or  discuss the advantages or disadvantages of a single use of a 21 st century technology; or  persuade the need for a change in a particular subject such as a policy or educational aspect; or  other based on your own creation that needs to be approved by your English teacher *** KEEP IN MIND THAT YOU ARE ONLY WRITING A SMALL RESEARCH PAPER OF 2 1/2 FULLTO 4 PAGES SO YOUR TOPIC MUST BE NARROWED AND NOT TOO VAST TO TACKLE

STEP 2:NARROW THE SUBJECT INTO THE TOPIC Read background information Far East Japan City Life Puppet Religion Sports Baseball Sumo Wrestling Rituals

STEP 3: STATE THE OBJECTIVE Thesis-statement of your objective -point you want to prove -main idea of the entire research paper Easy thesis would be your point plus your 3 reasons in one formal sentence

STEP 3: STATE THE OBJECTIVE Not an indisputable fact Examples: The Bororo men of the Amazon think that knocking out their front teeth makes them beautiful. George Washington was the first president of the United States

SAMPLE THESIS STATEMENTS The new universal healthcare plan will negatively impact the United States citizens by reason #1, reason #2, and reason #3. For your research paper, you would use your own ideas and research to develop the following paper: You would provide 1-3 paragraphs of background information briefly outlining the new plan. You would then use your 3 reasons in a structured format to discuss how each reason proves the negative impact the healthcare plan will cause. You will close your research paper with an effective 1-2 paragraph conclusion.

STEP 3: STATE THE OBJECTIVE Not a personal opinion Example: Tattooing hurts too much to be worth it. I think pierced ears are disgusting.

STEP 3: STATE THE OBJECTIVE Opinions can NEVER be supported with facts! Only evidence would be your own opinions!

STEP 3: STATE THE OBJECTIVE Topic: Beauty Excellent Thesis: People all over the world are willing to suffer for what they think is beautiful by reason #1, reason #2, and reason #3. Not an indisputable fact Not an insupportable opinion

STEP 3: STATE THE OBJECTIVE People all over the world are willing to suffer for what they think is beautiful by reason #1, reason #2, and reason #3. Underline section is your main purpose or point. Your 3 reasons will be used to further support, explain, or prove your main point or angle Must gather evidence to support Thesis presents argument or “angle” to defend with evidence!

STEP 3: STATE THE OBJECTIVE (YOUR MAIN POINT) Thesis: The Sioux Indians are being treated more unfairly today than they were in the 1890’s. (This is a broad thesis. To narrow it more you can add your 3 reasons to your thesis or only discuss your 3 reasons in the body of your paper to prove this thesis). Words “treated more unfairly” must be defined and then proven in the research paper.

STEP 3: STATE THE OBJECTIVE Ask questions: Who? What ? Where? When? Why?

SAMPLE THESIS STATEMENTS The lyrics in Beatles’ songs reflect where and how the members of the group were raised by reason #1, reason #2, and reason #3. (You can omit 3 reasons and discuss your paper or you can be more specific by including your 3 reasons in this statement) World War II radically changed American eating habits due to reason #1, reason #2, and reason #3.