English IV Research Project I’ve almost finished researching and taking notes, and I’ve created formal citations using my source cards. I’ve got at least four valid sources and some data on note cards. What’s next????

The Writing Process Research Paper Writing: Introductory Paragraph with a Working Thesis Statement and Outlining

Introductory Paragraph: Two Main Components First: You must introduce your paper on a broad scale in the first few sentences. For example, you may use an anecdote or an intriguing statistic to engage your reader. Second: You must transition from your broad anecdote or statistic to a more precise statement that provides a blueprint for your entire research paper— your paper’s working thesis statement! YAY!

Introduction: What is the TONE of this paragraph? Persuasion is a skill you practice regularly in your daily life. You are asked to convince your reader of your point of view using accredited research. This form of persuasion is often called an academic argument. After a brief introduction of your topic, you state your point of view on the topic directly and often in one sentence (sometimes two). This sentence is the thesis statement, and it serves as a summary of the argument you'll make in the rest of your paper.

What is a thesis statement? A thesis statement: is usually a single sentence in your introduction (the final sentence) that presents your argument to the reader. The rest of the paper, the body of the essay, gathers and organizes evidence that will persuade the reader of the reason of your stance. For this inquiry-based research paper, your assignment asks you to take a position or develop a claim about a controversial topic.

Your Introduction: Bring on the Debate! Visual Reference Engage your reader here. Provide a brief anecdote or an interesting statistic from your research that will catch the reader’s attention. Your thesis statement should be the last sentence or last two sentences of your introductory paragraph. This is the “blueprint” for your paper. Smoothly transition between introductory data/anecdote and thesis statement. A question is acceptable here.

Sample Introductory Paragraph #1 Guiding Question: Is affirmative action still necessary in the United States? Every day people go to work to earn money in order to take care of themselves. Every day there are many different kinds of people doing different kinds of work. However, is the work force really diverse? Is there really equal pay among women and men doing the same job? Do individuals of different races and ethnic backgrounds really get fair and equal treatment and opportunity? Perhaps, the laws created to provide that equal treatment and opportunity is discriminating against the majority. Is affirmative action still needed in today’s work force? This issue of affirmative action is a very controversial issue among people of all races and backgrounds. Affirmative action creates debate from many different sides; however, affirmative action in the work force has evidence to support itself. Affirmative action is working in America’s employment system, and it is still necessary in order to provide equal opportunity and employment treatment to American’s diverse minority population.

Sample Introductory Paragraph #2 Guiding Questions: Are tobacco companies to blame for the popularity of tobacco use in the United States? Tobacco is an important part of the American economy (White 4). The tobacco company’s product is one of the many products that cause harm when not used moderately (State 2005). The U.S. Surgeon General formally and publicly announced the health risk of this product in 1964 (McMillen 10). Many attempts have been made since that formal announcement. While it seems as if many efforts have been made to stop tobacco use, it continues to be ignored by society, by the United States government, and especially by the big tobacco companies. The influence of tobacco companies and their advertisements create a fog, which inhibits American citizens from understanding that tobacco is a direct harm to their health. People in general ignore the problems caused by tobacco use, but the problem exists because the big tobacco companies fail to make that harm factor obvious in their ads, which in turn continues to spread the ignorance concerning tobacco use even more in American society. Tobacco companies need to be held more responsible for their advertisement strategies because the tobacco companies continue to advertise tobacco as a good thing.

Sample Thesis Statements Some Good/ Some Bad: You Decide Topic: Alcohol A.Advertising alcohol on television, the radio, and in magazines promotes underage drinking. B.The alcohol industry’s advertisements do not promote underage drinking; the industry has the freedom to promote a product—parents should have more control over their children.

Sample Thesis Statements Topic: American Foreign Policy A.The United States should force democracy on other nations; it is the best and most fair form of government. B.The United States should not force democracy on other nations.

Sample Thesis Statements Topic: Divorce A.Divorce is always detrimental to the lives of the children involved; there is no “good divorce.” B.Divorce can be handled in such a way that the children are not harmed. C.Children should be allowed to divorce their parents.