Research Process 2009 Sophomore English Research Paper

Research Goals: Thurs 10/8 – Fri 10/16 Thurs 10/8: Thurs 10/8: –Narrow research topics –Create a working thesis (due Thurs; 10 pts) Thurs 10/8 & Fri 10/9: Thurs 10/8 & Fri 10/9: –Gather a bunch of research that connects a specific part or aspect of history to a specific part or element within your book Thurs 10/15: Thurs 10/15: –Finalized thesis statement due in class. (15 pts) Fri 10/16 Fri 10/16 –Rough draft of introduction due

What is a thesis statement: It is a roadmap for the paper It is a roadmap for the paper Specifically answers the question that’s asked of you! Specifically answers the question that’s asked of you! –A thesis is an interpretation of a question or topic, not the subject itself. Makes a claim that can be argued or debated Makes a claim that can be argued or debated Is usually a single sentence at the end of your first paragraph Is usually a single sentence at the end of your first paragraph –The rest of your paper (the body of your essay) organizes and analyzes research that supports and proves the interpretation you made in your thesis.

How do I “get” a thesis? Formulating a thesis is NOT the first thing you do after reading an essay or assignment. Formulating a thesis is NOT the first thing you do after reading an essay or assignment. BEFORE you develop an argument on any topic, take 3 steps: BEFORE you develop an argument on any topic, take 3 steps: 1. Research! Collect and organize information & evidence 2. Look for a possible relationship between the facts (such as surprising contrasts or similarities) 3. Think about the significance of these relationships Once you do this, you will have a “working thesis”, a basic or main idea that you think you can support with evidence Once you do this, you will have a “working thesis”, a basic or main idea that you think you can support with evidence

What’s the difference between a working thesis and a thesis? A working thesis is just a thesis that isn't sure of itself yet It gives you a focus and starting point for your research, but it might not take a specific angle yet – –Once you gather a variety of research on this topic, you can turn your working thesis into your final thesis – –Try to be as narrow as possible with your working thesis so that you don’t have to re-do research once you finalize your thesis

A working thesis should look something like this: Specific topic + Attitude/Angle/Argument = Thesis Specific topic + Attitude/Angle/Argument = Thesis What you plan to argue + How you plan to argue it = Thesis What you plan to argue + How you plan to argue it = Thesis

Example: Novel: – –Of Mice and Men Research question: – –How was Of Mice and Men influenced by history, the author’s culture or society, or the author’s personal experiences

How could I narrow my topic? History: – –The Great Depression – –Lives of Migrant Workers – –People’s (mis) understanding of mental disability during the 1930’s – –Racial segregation In the novel: –George and Lennie were migrant workers –The setting of the book took place in California on a ranch –No one had money –Loneliness vs. friendship was a big theme in the novel

Example 1? Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck deals with migrant workers during the Great Depression. Example 2? The setting of John Steinbeck’s novel, Of Mice and Men, was influenced by the effects of the Great Depression. Example 3? The unstable and lonely experiences of Depression-Era migrant workers is expressed in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men through the characters’ desire to belong somewhere. What could be my working thesis? Remember it must address the topic and state how/why.

Good working thesis: The unstable and lonely experiences of Depression-Era migrant workers is expressed in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men through the characters’ desires to belong somewhere. Specific aspect of history (Not just ‘The Great Depression’ or ‘migrant workers’ but the loneliness that the migrant workers faced Specific element of the story that will be analyzed in connection to the historical influence (not just “Of Mice and Men) Always include the author & title in the thesis

HW due Thursday: Bring in your typed working thesis statement to class tomorrow and post it to turnitin.com by 8:15 am Thurs 10/8. * no one is there yet! Look at your notes, research, and my examples to help you. 10 points MLA format (heading)

Your research and thesis… 1. Gather research on your poet’s life 2. Read and annotate poetry by your poet 3. Look for connections or similarities between the tone and themes of his poetry and the events in his life 4. Create a working thesis that states a specific claim about how your poet’s life has affected or influenced his work 5. Collect more research that focuses specifically on this claim narrow down your research; create an annotated bibliography narrow down your research; create an annotated bibliography Collect specific quotes from both the poetry and from the research to support your analysis Collect specific quotes from both the poetry and from the research to support your analysis Question: How has (your poet’s) life influence his/her work?