1. Research Paper Central Idea Thesis Statement Outlines Plagiarism Letter

2. Central Idea Central idea: This is a sentence or pair of sentences that tells what you want to accomplish in your paper. Central idea: This is a sentence or pair of sentences that tells what you want to accomplish in your paper. Example: The purpose of this paper is to select a person of interest that would be considered a great “teacher”. Example: The purpose of this paper is to select a person of interest that would be considered a great “teacher”.

3. Thesis Statement After gathering sources and previewing some of the information, you should have a better idea about the focus of your topic. Now it is time to develop that controlling idea (what you want to accomplish in your paper) into a sentence referred to as the THESIS. State your controlling idea, which must include facts and an opinion, in one to two sentences. After gathering sources and previewing some of the information, you should have a better idea about the focus of your topic. Now it is time to develop that controlling idea (what you want to accomplish in your paper) into a sentence referred to as the THESIS. State your controlling idea, which must include facts and an opinion, in one to two sentences.

4. The thesis has three important tasks: 1. A thesis statement states the main point of the1. A thesis statement states the main point of the paper. paper. 2. It suggests the path your paper will follow by 2. It suggests the path your paper will follow by indicating what your 3 main points will be. For indicating what your 3 main points will be. For this paper, your 3 main points will be the reasons you think your “teacher” makes an influence on others. this paper, your 3 main points will be the reasons you think your “teacher” makes an influence on others. 3. A thesis statement should be considered 3. A thesis statement should be considered significant, so that if someone says, “So what?” significant, so that if someone says, “So what?” you can answer the question. you can answer the question.

5. REMINDERS One to two sentences One to two sentences No run-on sentences No run-on sentences No “In this paper, it will be shown…” or “The purpose of this paper is…” No “In this paper, it will be shown…” or “The purpose of this paper is…”

6. Example of a Quality Thesis Statement: Example of a Quality Thesis Statement: _____________________ is an example of an exemplary teacher because he/she ________________, _______________, _____________________ is an example of an exemplary teacher because he/she ________________, _______________, and ________________________ which demonstrates a commitment to their community.

7. Example of a Bad Thesis Statement: Example of a Bad Thesis Statement: -I researched Oprah Winfrey -I researched Oprah Winfrey -She is a good teacher because a lot of people know her. -She is a good teacher because a lot of people know her.

8. What does the thesis statement do for you and your research paper? What does the thesis statement do for you and your research paper? -The thesis statement will help you to keep your topic and purpose in mind as you read and take notes. Also, it will help to focus and organize your paper. -The thesis statement will help you to keep your topic and purpose in mind as you read and take notes. Also, it will help to focus and organize your paper. Where does the thesis statement belong in the paper? Where does the thesis statement belong in the paper? -The thesis statement is the last sentence in your first paragraph. -The thesis statement is the last sentence in your first paragraph.

9. Graphic Organizers and Outlines What do a graphic organizer and an outline do for you and your research paper? What do a graphic organizer and an outline do for you and your research paper? -They provide the structure for your paper. paper. -They allow you to see relationships among main ideas and supporting facts. among main ideas and supporting facts.

10. Graphic Organizer: A graphic organizer is a summary of the main points about your topic and the ideas that support them. While you take notes from sources (note-cards), you will begin to group the note cards into different classifications. As you decide how to classify and organize your notes, you will take the first step in completing the graphic organizer. A graphic organizer is a summary of the main points about your topic and the ideas that support them. While you take notes from sources (note-cards), you will begin to group the note cards into different classifications. As you decide how to classify and organize your notes, you will take the first step in completing the graphic organizer.

11. The following steps will help you complete the graphic organizer that will eventually become the full-sentence outline you will use to prepare the rough draft of your paper. The following steps will help you complete the graphic organizer that will eventually become the full-sentence outline you will use to prepare the rough draft of your paper. 1. Group together note cards on similar topics. (Example: Reason #1 your teacher is exemplary) (Example: Reason #1 your teacher is exemplary) 2. Within each group, place similar note cards together. together.

12. 3. Arrange your 3 main topics to build your thesis. 4. Fill in each box on the graphic organizer. 5. Keep all note cards, even those that do not fit under any heading on the graphic not fit under any heading on the graphic organizer. You may need them later. organizer. You may need them later.

13. Graphic Organizer Make sure you develop the graphic organizer into specific examples and details from your research. Make sure you develop the graphic organizer into specific examples and details from your research. You need to include parenthetical citations. Anytime you use information from your note- cards you need to cite the source!!!! You need to include parenthetical citations. Anytime you use information from your note- cards you need to cite the source!!!!