The Research PaperThe Research Paper

Sacred Heart AcademySacred Heart Academy

English DepartmentEnglish Department

ContentsContents Pre-Thesis Statement WritingPre-Thesis Statement Writing

Thesis StatementThesis Statement

Topic OutlineTopic Outline

Grammar and Style ChecklistGrammar and Style Checklist

PlagiarismPlagiarism

Pre-Thesis Statement WritingPre-Thesis Statement Writing Begin with general Begin with general

encyclopedias for preliminary encyclopedias for preliminary research to give you an research to give you an overview of your topicoverview of your topic

Research several articles in Research several articles in magazines, books, journals, and magazines, books, journals, and the internetthe internet

CARRDSS the sourcesCARRDSS the sources

Decisions, part 1Decisions, part 1 Determine the significant issuesDetermine the significant issues

What are the points view?What are the points view?

Are there many or just a few?Are there many or just a few?

Are there major controversies?Are there major controversies?

What aspect of the subject do you What aspect of the subject do you

want to explore?want to explore?

Decisions, part 2Decisions, part 2 Decide how you want to deal with the topicDecide how you want to deal with the topic

Have you developed your Have you developed your ownown point of view? point of view?

Do you agree or disagree with your sources?Do you agree or disagree with your sources?

Has some new or original approach come Has some new or original approach come

into your mind?into your mind?

Could you apply the information in the Could you apply the information in the

sources in a new way?sources in a new way?

What do you think about this topic?What do you think about this topic?

Thesis StatementThesis Statement This task is to refine your ideas This task is to refine your ideas

and develop a thesis which can be and develop a thesis which can be proved proved or or supportedsupported by your by your researchresearch

Thesis statements are always Thesis statements are always written with a declarative sentence written with a declarative sentence which can be which can be provedproved with facts with facts

ExamplesExamples ChronologyChronology: The rise of the Imagist Movement can be : The rise of the Imagist Movement can be

traced over a period of twenty years.traced over a period of twenty years.

ProcedureProcedure: Five steps are required to produce liquid : Five steps are required to produce liquid oxygen.oxygen.

Cause/EffectCause/Effect: Economic factors caused deterioration in : Economic factors caused deterioration in Sino-Soviet relations in 1950.Sino-Soviet relations in 1950.

ProblemProblem: Differing Muslim ideologies make Israeli-: Differing Muslim ideologies make Israeli-Palestinian peace difficult.Palestinian peace difficult.

SolutionSolution: The energy crisis can be solved by solar and : The energy crisis can be solved by solar and nuclear power.nuclear power.

ComparisonComparison: Acupuncture is a better anesthetic than : Acupuncture is a better anesthetic than malothane.malothane.

SimilaritySimilarity: Television and motion picture writing are similar : Television and motion picture writing are similar in several respects.in several respects.

ExamplesExamples DifferenceDifference: Marriage rites differ among Far Eastern, Middle : Marriage rites differ among Far Eastern, Middle

Eastern, and Western families.Eastern, and Western families.

RelationshipRelationship: Hemingway’s life experiences influenced his : Hemingway’s life experiences influenced his work.work.

AnalysisAnalysis: Three major issues are related to the crisis in : Three major issues are related to the crisis in North Korea.North Korea.

Literary ThemeLiterary Theme: Romantic themes prevail in two major : Romantic themes prevail in two major works by William Wordsworth.works by William Wordsworth.

ProPro: Kennedy’s handling of the Cuban missile crisis was : Kennedy’s handling of the Cuban missile crisis was good foreign policy.good foreign policy.

ConCon: Four medical theories oppose radical mastectomy in : Four medical theories oppose radical mastectomy in breast cancer.breast cancer.

CategoryCategory: Several ethnic populations in America grew : Several ethnic populations in America grew during the past ten years.during the past ten years.

Thesis ChecklistThesis Checklist Think the words, “I believe…” just before Think the words, “I believe…” just before

you write your thesis statement. This will you write your thesis statement. This will ensure that you and your ideas are in the ensure that you and your ideas are in the paper.paper.

My thesis statement is:My thesis statement is: (I believe)(I believe) . .

My thesis statement:My thesis statement: Uses an approach from the previous two slidesUses an approach from the previous two slides Is not too broadIs not too broad Is not too narrow or technical unless requiredIs not too narrow or technical unless required Can be proved with the material I have foundCan be proved with the material I have found Is scholarlyIs scholarly Has been approved by my most excellent SHA English Has been approved by my most excellent SHA English

teacherteacher

Topic OutlineTopic Outline

This task helps you organize the information This task helps you organize the information you have found to prove your thesis you have found to prove your thesis statementstatement

Do not include the introduction or conclusionDo not include the introduction or conclusion Plan at least two subdivisions under each Plan at least two subdivisions under each

major heading. If you cannot, your outline is major heading. If you cannot, your outline is faultyfaulty

Subheads should also have at least two Subheads should also have at least two subdivisionssubdivisions

Use the Harvard outline styleUse the Harvard outline style

Harvard Outline StyleHarvard Outline Style

I.I.

A.A.

1.1.

2.2.

B.B.

1.1.

2.2.

Sample OutlineSample OutlineThesis statement: Thesis statement: Romantic themes prevail in two major Romantic themes prevail in two major

works of William Wordsworth.works of William Wordsworth.I. Romantic themesI. Romantic themes

A. Return to natureA. Return to natureB. Sympathy with humbleB. Sympathy with humbleC. Escape from conventionC. Escape from convention

II. Themes in Wordsworth’s worksII. Themes in Wordsworth’s worksA. “Tintern Abbey”A. “Tintern Abbey”

1. Samples of return to nature1. Samples of return to nature2. Samples of sympathy with humble2. Samples of sympathy with humble3. Samples of escape from convention3. Samples of escape from convention

B. “Intimations of Immortality”B. “Intimations of Immortality”1. Samples of return to nature1. Samples of return to nature2. Samples of sympathy with humble2. Samples of sympathy with humble3. Samples of escape from convention3. Samples of escape from convention

Grammar and Style Grammar and Style ChecklistChecklist

While you will rely heavily on your While you will rely heavily on your research sources, be sure the major research sources, be sure the major thesis and thrust of your paper is your thesis and thrust of your paper is your own.own.

Write in the third person only, begin with Write in the third person only, begin with the first topic sentence in your outline the first topic sentence in your outline and then the sentences that prove it.and then the sentences that prove it.

Quotations should comprise no more than Quotations should comprise no more than one fifth of the paper.one fifth of the paper.

Plan to have no more than four citations Plan to have no more than four citations per page.per page.

Grammar and Style Grammar and Style ChecklistChecklist

Avoid contractionsAvoid contractions Clear topic Clear topic

sentencessentences Topic sentences Topic sentences

provedproved No fragments or No fragments or

run-onsrun-ons Good paragraph Good paragraph

transitionstransitions Subjects and verbs Subjects and verbs

agreeagree Pronouns and Pronouns and

antecedents agreeantecedents agree

No misplaced No misplaced modifiersmodifiers

Strong verbs and Strong verbs and nounsnouns

Language fluentLanguage fluent Varied sentence Varied sentence

openingsopenings Spelling correctSpelling correct Third person usedThird person used Consistent tense Consistent tense

usedused

PlagiarismPlagiarism Plagiarism is the use of another author’s words or Plagiarism is the use of another author’s words or

ideas as one’s own.ideas as one’s own. The protection of intellectual property has long been The protection of intellectual property has long been

a hallmark of the world of words.a hallmark of the world of words. Examples:Examples:

Purchase of research papersPurchase of research papers Copying/using/borrowing other students’ workCopying/using/borrowing other students’ work Failure to document sourcesFailure to document sources

All ideas or the language of others, whether All ideas or the language of others, whether summarized, paraphrased, or quoted, must be summarized, paraphrased, or quoted, must be acknowledged by a citationacknowledged by a citation