Research Essay

What topic will you choose? • Donor-conceived families • Stepfamilies • Queer/same-sex families • Adoption • Living apart together relationships • Transnational families • Family violence • Extended families • Post-separation families

WRITE A NUTSHELL Is a useful way to focus your thoughts before you write To nutshell you: Pose a question: ‘what do I want to say in this essay (or in this paragraph, or in my conclusion)?’ Write a fast answer to this question in an easy style for a limited period of time (5-10 minutes) Write without worrying about grammar, spelling etcetera. Just write to keep up with your thoughts. Then review what you have written for its key and valuable ideas. Drawing on the valuable ideas within your nutshell draft a statement that outlines the purpose and scope of your proposed piece of work. You can turn this statement into a question and phrase it as a thesis statement.

Share your ideas for your research essay Groups of 3 or 4

A research question & a thesis statement On the basis of your nutshell Draft a research question Write a thesis statement What’s a thesis statement? A line of argument that answers the question you’ve set for yourself

What makes for a good thesis statement? If a thesis statement is a line of argument what makes a good line of argument? It needs to be strong and clear Should be a point of debate; ie it should make a contentious claim that aligns you in a broader debate Be something that matters Be specific Be doable within specified the word limit

Peer review Your thesis statements To do this: Take turns One person is to read out their thesis statement Then go round the group, with each member suggesting how the thesis statement could be improved Having done this take a minute to revise your thesis statement Could you explain your argument to a friend or family member in a couple of sentences ?

CREAT A Mind-Map for your essay On the basis of your revised thesis statement produce a mind-map Key words that can guide your search for sources Theoretical concepts that you will draw on in your essay Relevant personal experiences; other people’s experiences – empirically based literature, media; relevant events WHAT IDEAS AND EVIDENCE DO YOU NEED TO INCLUDE IN YOUR ESSAY TO MAKE A PERSUASIVE ARGUMENT?

Essay writing skills What

resources http://www.anu.edu.au/students/learning-development/writing-assessment/essay- writing