AGENDA "It is your attitude at the beginning of a task that determines success or failure.“ ---Corrine Clewlow 12 Mar Bellwork Issue and Argument How to Write a Thesis Reminders Thesis Brainstorming Work Time Approved thesis due by the end of class **Annotated Works Consulted will be graded by the end of the week. Parent s will be sent out Wednesday morning

Bellwork 3/12/12  What is the one “umbrella” research question your paper is going to answer?  For example, “How have green building materials changed the construction business?” “What health benefits can women get from strength training?”

Issue and Argument  Now that you’ve done all this research, you’re qualified to teach the class about your topic!  Take out a piece of notebook paper and title it “Issue and Argument”  Please go into comparable depth as the examples on the following slides. The more time you take to think through your answers, the more helpful it will be for you!

Explain the issue that you’re writing about.  For example:  While researching about methods to save the rainforests, I learned that while the environmental concerns (decreasing oxygen production, etc) are important to address, the real issue is that as the timber companies move in to the landscape, they are displacing (sometimes violently) the native peoples of the land. This forced relocation and stripping of native lands will result in a cultural vacuum in Central and South America, forever changing the future of native peoples in the region.

Explain what you think you’re going to argue.  For example:  I’m going to argue that the side effects of forced relocation of native peoples in the region will result in increased poverty and decreased mental and physical health for them. Also, I’m going to argue that while that moral issue should be enough, deforesting the landscape and removing the cultural influence of native tribes will negatively affect the economy of Central and South America by decreasing tourism and adding an extra burden on the social services provided by the state.

Good thesis? THESIS A:  Business practices in former Soviet Union countries. THESIS B:  Business practices in the countries of the former Soviet Union have changed drastically since the break-up. THESIS C:  Since the break-up of the former Soviet Union, business practices in those countries have changed most in the fields of marketing and customer service, reflecting the changes in government and political philosophy.

Good thesis? THESIS A:  U.S. government policies on health care have changed during the past 20 years; this change in policy has made hospitals currently function as oligopolies. THESIS B:  U.S. government policies on health care differ greatly from those of Asian nations due to the different social and economic structures underlying the government. THESIS C:  U.S. government policies on health care should be changed to reflect citizens' current concerns.

Good thesis? THESIS A:  The whole language approach has been effective in raising the reading skills of elementary school children and in helping the children understand the relevance of reading to all fields of study in school. THESIS B:  The whole language approach has substantially helped elementary school children to read. THESIS C:  More public schools should implement the whole language approach since it has substantially helped elementary school children to read.

What makes a good thesis?  Accurately predicts the content of your paper  Should be all-inclusive of what you’re covering  Narrowed and focused  Should be specific to the content, avoiding general or vague statements  Answers the main research question you’ve developed for your paper (your Bellwork!)  Thesis is essentially the answer to your question

Examples of SRP thesis statements  As people’s lives become busier and their minds are opened, yoga has become an increasingly popular activity to participate in both for the exercise of the body and the mind.  Over the years, improvements in forestry practices have provided hope that our forests will continue to be with us for future generations.  High performance parts have been introduced into the automotive industry both to help reduce car emissions and to enhance the vehicle’s performance.

Your turn!  Brainstorm different thesis options for your paper (on the same page as your Issue and Argument writing)  Apply the reminders about a good thesis.  Accurately predicts the content of your paper  Narrowed and focused  Answers the main research question you’ve developed for your paper  It’s okay to work, and rework, and rework the wording till is sounds just right!  Come up and get it checked with your neon pink sheet when you’re done  Due by the end of class