Kick-starting your research

The Research Process Inquire Advanced Knowledge Supporting your argument

Define your research question The exact question your research will try to answer Sharper questions

Develop a working thesis Could be called a hypothesis Your overall claim

Devise your plan Research question Working thesis Results from literature review Description of problem Plan/solutions for problem Limitations/challenges Bibliography

Help your friends Get into groups of two Read your friend’s proposal and write down, in your own words: – What is the author’s topic? – What’s the paper’s thesis? – What’s the author’s plan for the research?

Source’s credibility How do you know if it is reliable? A little background check on the authors Are you biased? Is it up to date?

Here’s the bonus for you Start with your bibliography / reference / works cited FIRST

Detour / Roadblock What happens when you don’t find what you need/desire?

Research Paper

Joining the Conversation Where to start? – Look into your proposal – Set your mind right

Joining the Conversation Where to start? – Look into your proposal – Set your mind right What’s your voice? – Expository Research Paper – Argumentative Research Paper Figure 13.1 on page 313

How a research paper looks like? Introduction – Identify your topic – State your purpose – State your thesis statement – Offer background information – Importance of your paper

Your paper Body – Issues (chronological or argumentative) – Subsections / divisions / headings – Direct quotations – Paraphrasing or summarizing – In-text citations

Your paper Conclusion – Transition to conclusion – Restate your main points / thesis statement – Stress the importance again – Call to action – Optional: limitations of this paper / research methods