1. Please have out the following…
Sophomore Project assignment sheet, calendar and topic list
Planner
Note card
Topic Select/Thesis Revision Sheet
Yellow sheet
Mexican Rev. Notes (27.1)

2. What questions do we still have about the Sophomore Project?

3. With someone next to you…
Discuss your top 3-5 topic choices and why you are interested in them.

4. Warm Up
What are questions/concerns you have regarding writing a thesis statement and/or Note Cards/Source Cards?

5. Sophomore Research Project
Research Questions

6. Your topic is a noun or phrase
Topic vs. Question
Your topic is a noun or phrase
Marie Antoinette
the 100 Years’ War
Fascism
Your question should be a complete sentence.

7. Focus on one issue within that topic
Too broad a topic means only covering the surface of that person or issue
The Russian Revolution would be too big to manage in a reasonable length paper
Focus on one issue within that topic
How did Tsar Nicholas’ policies contribute to the Russian Revolution?

8. Types of Questions: Reference
Reference questions are typically answered with known facts or statistics.
You will likely have to ask some reference questions in your research.
Ex: "What percentage of drug-related crime in 1999 was committed by dealers, not users?"

9. Types of Questions: Report
Review or report questions are typically answered with what is generally known about a fairly narrow topic.
Ex: “How did the original thirteen colonies become the United States?”

10. Types of Questions: Research
Research questions are open-ended. They require a variety of accumulated information from different sources to develop an answer, and the student is required to draw his or her own conclusions.
Ex: "How does Hawaii's location and climate affect its economy?”

11. Some ways to begin a research question:
Why…
How…
What are the effects of…
What are the consequences of…
Contrast (then & now)
What was the influence of ____ on ____?

12. Trade with someone next to you
On your note card…
Pick one of the topics you are interested and in write a rough research question.
Trade with someone next to you
Provided feedback to the strength of the research question.
Is it a complete sentence?
Is it open ended?
Too broad or too specific… just right?

13. The good, the bad, the ugly
Thesis Statements
The good, the bad, the ugly

14. The Thesis Statement
Narrows your subject to a single, central idea that you want readers to gain from your essay.
Claims something specific and significant about your subject.
Conveys your purpose or reason for writing.
Often concisely previews the arrangement of ideas.

15. Thesis Statements
HOW +
WHAT =
SO WHAT
Form/Style
Content
Significance

16. HOW
SO WHAT
WHAT/TOPIC

17. Thesis-Driven Paper
A thesis-driven paper makes an arguable claim and defends it. Do not confuse a research paper with a report: you need to offer a thesis about your topic and then present evidence and analysis that provides support and explanation.

18. The Bad
Too broad
The Renaissance sparked in European minds the transformation of artists into individual achievers and artwork into a form of expression.
The Black Death was an extremely influential part of Europe’s history which negatively impacted the economic, religious, and personal aspects of Europe and its people.

19. The Bad
Too specific
The public’s demand for the destruction of the Berlin Wall led to the eventual reunification of Germany.
The pentathlon event was one of the original events from the Ancient Olympics and remains as a part of the Modern Olympics representing, as it has changed over time, the change in what society thinks is most important in athletics.

20. The Bad
Too obvious
Leonardo’s masterpieces of art and science contributed heavily to the success of the Renaissance, and as well as becoming the base for modern inventions, his contributions earned him the title of a true Renaissance man.
The French Revolution was an epoch of progression and downfall which is progressively reflected in governmental aspects of France throughout history.

21. The Ugly: Un-provable
The bombing of Pearl Harbor indirectly caused the Cold War because it drew America into WWII, creating two superpowers that split Europe between two new factions.
The modifications made to the Olympics throughout history fostered its purpose by establishing peaceful relations among European nations, which consequently improved their economy.
As the industrial revolution progressed, and with the protection from governments in place recognizing the plight of women, women in the workforce began to feel empowered and their lives became more manageable.

22. The Good Specific and provable
The injustice in Lenin’s life paralleled the conditions in Russia, fueling Lenin to lead the revolution that would change the face of Russian politics.
The Continental System, in combination with events of the Napoleonic Wars, proved to be a key factor that would eventually help Britain to lead the way in the Industrial Revolution.

23. The Good
Dissent and large scale protests on the part of the German people in response to the oppression and injustice they experienced under communist rule, as symbolized by the Berlin Wall, impacted Gorbachev’s policies in a way that ultimately led to the demise of the Soviet Union.
Oliver Cromwell’s religious upbringing and role in the English Civil War led him to become a talented military leader and an innovative yet effective ruler for England during an age of absolute monarchs.

24. Things to avoid: Topics very hard to argue
i.e. people’s attitudes changing, hypotheticals, etc.
If you can plug in another topic into your thesis and it still makes sense, it’s too broad

25. LETS Practice
Pick one of the following questions and write a thesis statement
Your school has some extra money to spend. It could be spent on a computer lab, new sports equipment, a cafeteria, or something of your choice. What would be the most effective way to spend our school’s surplus money?
Some people view celebrities — including professional athletes, actors, and musicians — as role models. Do you think that celebrities are important role models for your generation?
What movie should all teenagers see?
Should cell phones be banned in high schools?