The Research Essay Created by Mrs. D. Walker

Essay or Report? A research essay expresses the author’s opinion by arguing a thesis. It’s like an editorial in a newspaper. It often answers higher order questions: How? Why? Which? A research report presents factual information on a topic in an organized fashion, with no argumentation. It’s like a news report which answers the questions: Who? What? Where? When?

A Research Essay: Is meant to present research Is a formal essay based on investigation of other people’s ideas Is NOT simply an analysis of your thoughts Includes a thesis based on research Demonstrates that you have accessed, evaluated, and recorded source material Evaluates and synthesizes your findings

Steps in Writing the Research Paper Choose a subject and narrow it into a topic Access Resources: preliminary research Formulate a Thesis Take Notes Prepare a working bibliography Create an outline Write a first draft

Steps in writing continued… Revise and edit your paper. Write the final copy according to the specifications of your teacher (MLA or APA style). Prepare your list of works cited or bibliography.

Choosing a Topic Pick a topic of interest to you. (free write, brainstorm, web or map, 5 W’s) Make sure you understand the requirements of the assignment. What do you already know about your topic? Can you do justice to your topic in the allotted time?

Narrowing a Topic Don’t choose a topic that is overly technical. Don’t choose something that has universal acceptance. (Drugs are bad for you.) Choose a topic for which there is a counter argument. Choose a topic for which you can find adequate information (remember some good topics may be blocked)

Accessing Resources Print Electronic Other (OPAC for books) Databases (InfoTrac, Proquest, etc.) Search Engines On-line enyclopedia Other Television program, movie, etc. People

Evaluating Sources Does the date of the source match the level of currency you need for your paper? How often is the site updated? Is the author credible? It is written by a person? Organization? Is the source relevant to your argument? Try to determine if the source is fact, opinion, or propaganda.

Annotated working bibliography Answer these questions about each source: How would this resource be useful for your topic? What is the author’s main purpose in writing the work? What are the author’s qualifications? Is the info an overview? Specific detail? Statistical? Use “Easy Bib” to keep track of your sources

Formulate a Thesis Your thesis should clearly and concisely state the argument which you develop in your paper. As you research your topic, ask, “So what?” or “Who cares?” to help refine your thesis.

Key Features of a Thesis States the main idea of the essay in a complete sentence, not a question Is usually the last sentence of the introductory paragraph Has an “angle” on the topic Lists subtopics which are developed in the body paragraphs

So…How Do You Write A Thesis Statement? Start off with your TOPIC! Before trying to decide on a thesis, gather all of the information available on your topic! Once you have gathered your information, Ask Yourself a Few Questions: What is the most important thought that I have about my topic? What has my research shown me about my topic? What would my reader want to know about my topic? What will be the POINT of my paper? Use your answers to write a Working Thesis. Turn your Working Thesis into a Final Thesis Statement by comparing it to the requirements for a strong thesis statement: Is it too broad? Is it too narrow? Is it too vague? {Click Mouse to Continue}

Complementary therapies such as reiki, a diet rich in antioxidents, and spiritual practices are useful tools in the fight against cancer.

Setting the Tone- Your Introduction Paragraph Think of your introduction paragraph like a funnel. First, grab you readers attention with a general statement about your topic . Then, give your reader a brief explanation (2-5 sentences) of what you will be explaining about your topic. End your introduction with a strong statement/claim that tells your reader what you intend to prove to them about your topic. Attention Grabbing Opening Today’s Focus-Your THESIS Brief Explanation of topic Thesis {Click Mouse to Continue}

The American Cancer Society reports that 1 The American Cancer Society reports that 1.5 million people developed cancer in 2008 (American). Half a million people died from cancer in the same period (American). It is no wonder that people are trying everything possible to fight this deadly disease including complementary and alternative medicine. Complementary medicine works alongside traditional medicine and includes practices such as mind-body healing, biological therapies such as vitamins and diet, and energy medicine such as tai chi and reiki. In fact, the National Centre for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) reports that 62% of Americans use some form of CAM’s.

The Research Essay Created by Mrs. D. Walker

Essay or Report? A research essay expresses the author’s opinion by arguing a thesis. It’s like an editorial in a newspaper. It often answers higher order questions: How? Why? Which? A research report presents factual information on a topic in an organized fashion, with no argumentation. It’s like a news report which answers the questions: Who? What? Where? When?

A Research Essay: Is meant to present research Is a formal essay based on investigation of other people’s ideas Is NOT simply an analysis of your thoughts Includes a thesis based on research Demonstrates that you have accessed, evaluated, and recorded source material Evaluates and synthesizes your findings

Steps in Writing the Research Paper Choose a subject and narrow it into a topic Access Resources: preliminary research Formulate a Thesis Take Notes Prepare a working bibliography Create an outline Write a first draft

Steps in writing continued… Revise and edit your paper. Write the final copy according to the specifications of your teacher (MLA or APA style). Prepare your list of works cited or bibliography.

Choosing a Topic Pick a topic of interest to you. (free write, brainstorm, web or map, 5 W’s) Make sure you understand the requirements of the assignment. What do you already know about your topic? Can you do justice to your topic in the allotted time?

Narrowing a Topic Don’t choose a topic that is overly technical. Don’t choose something that has universal acceptance. (Drugs are bad for you.) Choose a topic for which there is a counter argument. Choose a topic for which you can find adequate information (remember some good topics may be blocked)

Accessing Resources Print Electronic Other (OPAC for books) Databases (InfoTrac, Proquest, etc.) Search Engines On-line enyclopedia Other Television program, movie, etc. People

Evaluating Sources Does the date of the source match the level of currency you need for your paper? How often is the site updated? Is the author credible? It is written by a person? Organization? Is the source relevant to your argument? Try to determine if the source is fact, opinion, or propaganda.

Annotated working bibliography Answer these questions about each source: How would this resource be useful for your topic? What is the author’s main purpose in writing the work? What are the author’s qualifications? Is the info an overview? Specific detail? Statistical? Use “Easy Bib” to keep track of your sources

Formulate a Thesis Your thesis should clearly and concisely state the argument which you develop in your paper. As you research your topic, ask, “So what?” or “Who cares?” to help refine your thesis.

Key Features of a Thesis States the main idea of the essay in a complete sentence, not a question Is usually the last sentence of the introductory paragraph Has an “angle” on the topic Lists subtopics which are developed in the body paragraphs

So…How Do You Write A Thesis Statement? Start off with your TOPIC! Before trying to decide on a thesis, gather all of the information available on your topic! Once you have gathered your information, Ask Yourself a Few Questions: What is the most important thought that I have about my topic? What has my research shown me about my topic? What would my reader want to know about my topic? What will be the POINT of my paper? Use your answers to write a Working Thesis. Turn your Working Thesis into a Final Thesis Statement by comparing it to the requirements for a strong thesis statement: Is it too broad? Is it too narrow? Is it too vague? {Click Mouse to Continue}

Complementary therapies such as reiki, a diet rich in antioxidents, and spiritual practices are useful tools in the fight against cancer.

Setting the Tone- Your Introduction Paragraph Think of your introduction paragraph like a funnel. First, grab you readers attention with a general statement about your topic . Then, give your reader a brief explanation (2-5 sentences) of what you will be explaining about your topic. End your introduction with a strong statement/claim that tells your reader what you intend to prove to them about your topic. Attention Grabbing Opening Today’s Focus-Your THESIS Brief Explanation of topic Thesis {Click Mouse to Continue}

The American Cancer Society reports that 1 The American Cancer Society reports that 1.5 million people developed cancer in 2008 (American). Half a million people died from cancer in the same period (American). It is no wonder that people are trying everything possible to fight this deadly disease including complementary and alternative medicine. Complementary medicine works alongside traditional medicine and includes practices such as mind-body healing, biological therapies such as vitamins and diet, and energy medicine such as tai chi and reiki. In fact, the National Centre for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) reports that 62% of Americans use some form of CAM’s.