1. Card Support and Organization Presentation created by Mr. Pisseri

2. What Will The Paper Look like? Cover Sheet Outline (organization of paper) Paper (three-five pages) Introduction Pro/Con toward topic through thesis statement Two reasons Each reason = two paragraphs Optional opposition paragraph Conclusion Appendix (graphs, charts, etc.) Works Cited page Turn in two copies of the paper

3. What’s Next? Organization and Decision-Making It’s time to make a decision….. What’s next regarding your cards and tentative position? It’s up to you and of course your research!

4. Research Drives the Paper Always remember that research drives the paper, not opinion Research is the most important component of your paper!

5. Examining Your Cards… Spread out on the floor or a table Print cards from Noodletools Take note-cards and create three piles: –Pro (for) –Con (against) –Neutral (background information) Decision Time: –Do you have enough information for two reasons? –Do you need to do more research? Count all cards

6. Thesis Statement What is a thesis? Thesis = the most important sentence in your paper It tells the reader the central focus of your paper Every paragraph in your paper exists to support your thesis It is one sentence in length

7. Thesis Statement Where is it found? The last sentence of your introduction What to include? Your two reasons and stance (Pro/Con) What not to include? The words “I” “my” or “opinion”

8. An Example of A Thesis (Note: This example has three reasons – you only need two) Topic: Drilling for Oil in Alaska in A.N.R. Position: Should the U.S. Government open sections of protected land in Alaska for drilling? (Con) Three Reasons: (1). Environmental Effect (a). Untouched Arctic Land (wildlife) (b). Past Example of A Disaster – Exxon Valdez (2). Expense (a). Predicted cost of the job (b). Insurance Costs (3). Time (a). Ten years before oil will emerge (b). Limited Oil Exists And the thesis is…

9. Thesis Thesis = The United States would waste environmental resources, money and time if the government approved drilling in the Arctic National Reserve in Alaska. Remember…The better the support the stronger your paper will be Support includes gathering facts, statistics, examples, quotes, etc. Good luck! Start creating your working thesis today!