BIG Paper Tips and Strategies for Beginning the Journey

Inspiration You WILL get through this You will be proud of what you have accomplished You will likely refer to this experience in the college application process You will be prepared for college

The most important part… RESEARCH! Learn something! Discover something!

Exploratory Argument Your thesis should develop during the research process You’re looking for insight and depth You want to narrow your thesis appropriately for the page limit Not your typical controversial argument

Finding a Topic Start with broad categories and see what’s out there –Topics related to a future career or field of study? –Topics related to a passion or hobby? –Topics related to a personal experience or relationship?

Mrs. Miedwig’s Ideas Education: Common Core State Standards, standards based grading, nature versus nurture, alternative assessments to standardized testing, best practices in teaching writing, mentoring new teachers, ESL/Bilingual education Passions/ Hobbies: dancing, traveling, reading Experiences/ Relationships: leadership styles, overcoming loss, difficult relationships, small colleges, health issues (Parkinson’s, Tourette’s, Asthma and Allergies)

Research Strategies Take TIME! Get more sources than you need. Get CREDIBLE sources. Explore all aspects of the issue. Write down everything you need for citations (both in-text and works cited page). Take notes in an organized fashion.

Credible COLLEGE Sources Use general web sources ONLY to spark ideas or find other resources Seek academic journals and books Find the original source whenever possible Go beyond our library!

Note-Taking Strategies Note cards Two column notes Annotating/ color coding Your own method…but take notes! For any method- distinguish between information you can paraphrase and direct quotations

Annotated Bibliography The MLA citation followed by a description of what the source says and how it was helpful to you More information to come Due Monday, April 7 th !

Organizing the Paper Five Part Argument Anecdotal Argument Exploratory Organization

Five Part Classical Argument Introduction Narration (Context): Provide relevant background information and set up the stakes Confirmation (Argument): Laying out claims and evidence to support your argument Refutation and Concession: Anticipate and address objections. Summation (Conclusion) IT102/classicalargument.htm

Anecdotal Argument Anecdote 1 Anecdote 2 Anecdote 3 Connection between stories/ thesis Direct argument Refutation Conclusion

Exploratory Organization Context/ questions Explore/ discuss pertinent issues Make relevant concessions Support your position Conclusion with thesis statement