Research Paper – Structuring the Essay

Reget - World Lit. Honors

Exploration

Continue writing what you know about your topic. Do not plan or organize it.– List ideas– Write Phrases and sentences– Be as general or specific as you like– Write what it is about that topic that interests you– Are you fascinated by its background, its effects,

its controversy, its impact, or something else entirely?

Outline

The paper will have 5 distinct parts, all written from your personal perspective, using the pronoun “I”.

Objective

1. Select a topic of interest and depth to investigate

2. Develop an outline for the research paper

3. Write the introduction and thesis statement for the paper

Allow myself to introduce … myself

Section I – Introduce the topic, address the audience, clarify your purpose

1. The IntroductionA. The introduction will relate a brief story,

anecdote or question about your career (FIQQS).

B. The Introduction will contain a thesis statement that tells me what the purpose or overall goal of the paper is

C. The Introduction will also inform the reader on the importance of the topic.

Thesis Statement

The Thesis statement should address what the purpose of your paper is

Focus the topic

Answer the following questions on your topic:

1. What is interesting about your topic?

2. What controversy does your topic cause?

3. What impact does your topic have on the world, a country, a state, or a community?

4. What are the social, moral, or ethical implications of your topic?

Focus the Topic

Reflect on your answers: what element does your topic fit the best?

Thesis Statement

You will write a statement that is direct and reflects the purpose of your argument

Answer the following questions:– Will you try to inform, convince, analyze, or argue

your topic? Why?– What do you want the reader to take out of your

essay?

Sample Statements

Once you know what angle you would like to take on your topic, it is time to develop a statement that reflects the purpose and subject of the essay.

Sample Statements

Topic: Position (pro-, anti-, neutral): Purpose (Convince, explain, argue): Sample Statement:

Sample Statements

Topic: College Entrance Exams Position (pro-, anti-, neutral): Anti-entrance

exam Purpose (Convince, explain, solve):

Convince the audience that college entrance exams and are given far too much weight.

Sample Statement: College entrance exams should be given less weight as a means of balancing out student acceptance.

Sample Statements

Topic: The Greenhouse Effect Position (pro-, anti-, neutral): Neutral Purpose (Convince, explain, argue): Explain

the theory behind greenhouse gasses Sample Statement: The theory of the

Greenhouse Effect states that significant Carbon Dioxide emissions trap extra heat within Earth’s atmosphere.

Sample Statements

Topic: Smoking Bans Position (pro-, anti-, neutral): Pro- city and nation

wide smoking bans Purpose (Convince, explain, argue): solve the issue

of harms related to second hand smoke. Sample Statement: As a means of eliminating the

numerous ailments associated with second hand smoke, the Federal Government should issue nation wide smoking bans.

Sample Statements

Topic: Position (pro-, anti-, neutral): Purpose (Convince, explain, argue): Sample Statement:

Sample Statements

Topic: High School Dress Codes Position (pro-, anti-, neutral): Purpose (Convince, explain, argue): Sample Statement: