1. English 3
Ms. Roule

2. Bellringer (Short answer)
Which three categories on your research list are most important to you and why? Be specific!
Key Facts, Admissions, Tuition/Costs, Programs Offered, Location, Scholarships, Sports, Campus Life, Career Connect

3. Agenda Bellringer Thesis Statement (Notes)
Outlining your college research paper

4. Thesis Statements - Notes
Almost all assignments, no matter how complicated, can be reduced to a single question. For example, if your assignment is, “Write a report to the local school board explaining the potential benefits of using computers in a fourth-grade class,” turn the request into a question like, “What are the potential benefits of using computers in a fourth-grade class?”

5. Thesis Statements - Notes
After you’ve chosen the question your essay will answer, compose one or two complete sentences answering that question.
Q: “What are the potential benefits of using computers in a fourth-grade class?”
A: “The potential benefits of using computers in a fourth-grade class are ...” OR
A: “Using computers in a fourth-grade class promises to improve ...”

6. What is our guiding question?
What college, university or post-secondary program is the best fit for you?
What is your answer? (What is your thesis?)

7. A strong thesis statement:
Takes a stand
Justifies discussion
Expresses one main idea
Is specific

8. Which one is stronger? Why?
There are some negative and positive aspects to the Banana Herb Tea Supplement.
Because Banana Herb Tea Supplement promotes rapid weight loss that results in the loss of muscle and lean body mass, it poses a potential danger to customers.

9. Which one is stronger? Why?
My family is an extended family.
While most American families would view consanguineal marriage as a threat to the nuclear family structure, many Iranian families, like my own, believe that these marriages help reinforce kinship ties in an extended family.

10. Which one is stronger? Why?
Companies need to exploit the marketing potential of the Internet, and Web pages can provide both advertising and customer support.
Because the Internet is filled with tremendous marketing potential, companies should exploit this potential by using Web pages that offer both advertising and customer support.

11. The last example is a strong thesis because it shows that the two ideas are related. Hint: a great many clear and engaging thesis statements contain words like because, since, so, although, unless, and however.

12. Which one is stronger? Why?
World hunger has many causes and effects.
Hunger persists in Glandelinia because jobs are scarce and farming in the infertile soil is rarely profitable.

13. Now refine your thesis to make it stronger…
Does it take a stand?
Is it specific?
Does it express one main idea?
Does it justify discussion?

14. Building the outline for your college research paper
Thesis: I. Intro II.Category 1 A. School 1 B. School 2 III. Category 2
Thesis:
I. Intro
II.School 1
A. Category 1
B. Category 2
C. Category 3
III. School 2

15. Outlines Due tomorrow! Write out thesis
Headings (aside from intro and conclusion) must be complete sentences
Sub-heads must include details from your research
You are not limited to 3 categories—but that is the minimum requirement!