Unit 3 Seminar

WELCOME!

So glad you’re here! I’ll get sound going right at our start time.

Seminar Agenda

Questions

Unit 2 Project

Research questions and thesis statements

What’s Ahead

Questions or Concerns

Questions?

Reminders

•Make sure to turn in your Unit 2 project as soon as possible

•Read my comments in your Unit 2 projects.

•Read my responses to you on DB. I try to give feedback to help you define your topic.

•Remember to complete the Unit 3 journal entry.

Unit 2 Project

•If you would like to make any revisions to your project, you can do that and resubmit it for an improved grade.

•You can email me with any questions.

•How is your research coming along?

Selecting SourcesWhere your information comes from matters!

It is easy to be overwhelmed with sources. We must make sure that we think critically about the information.

This article explains how your research paper will take shape:

What is an Argument?

• How will this information help you choose your sources?

Selecting Sources

•How will you keep track of your sources?

•How will you eliminate some sources?

•Where will you start?

•This document can help you keep track of your research.

Resource List

Quantitative and Qualitative Data•Q

uantitative data refers to information that is objective and measurable—for example the increase in the amount of hours that children watch TV in the last five years or the percentage of single people that have tried online dating services.

•Qualitative data, on the other hand, is information that deals with descriptions and experiences. It can not so readily be measured, but it does add another dimension to your research. For example, a description of how volunteering in a hospital has affected high school students or how earning an online degree has affected a student’s self-confidence.

•Typically research papers and the studies discussed in scholarly journals have focused on the use of quantitative data and your research should also have a strong quantitative foundation.

• This is the reason for the requirement that 4 of your sources be scholarly journals. However, the qualitative data that you might glean from your other resources (interviews, online articles, etc.) will add another valuable dimension to your work.

Quantitative vs. Qualitative Data

•When reviewing quantitative data (from your scholarly journal resources and elsewhere), pay particular attention to measurable data such as charts, graphs, statistics, polls, surveys and other forms of objective data.

•When completing your project for this unit, you will need to include one example of quantitative data that will be useful in your research and effectively interpret it to support your paper’s objective.

•This link has more helpful information about quantitative vs. qualitative data• Quantitative vs. Qualitative

Your Research Question

So now you have your sub-topic-If you don’t, keep your project ideas in mind to see which would fit the best with the criteria we are discussing.

What will your research question be? Make sure to check out the Writing Center’s resources on this. Check out the Research Question resources in the information

box.

Share your research question with the class.

The Thesis Statement!

•Sometimes we hear the word thesis and it is a little scary- but don’t be overwhelmed.

•You have your topic and your question. Now it is time to turn it into your thesis statement that will guide your research and your writing.

•This is exciting!

The Thesis Statement!•F

irst, let’s look at what makes a good thesis statement:

• It should be contestable, proposing an arguable point with which people could reasonably disagree. A strong thesis is provocative; it takes a stand and justifies the discussion you will present.

• It tackles a subject that could be adequately covered in the format of the project assigned.

• It is specific and focused. A strong thesis proves a point without discussing “everything about …” Instead of music, think "American jazz in the 1930s" and your argument about it.

• It clearly asserts your own conclusion based on evidence. Note: Be flexible. The evidence may lead you to a conclusion you didn't think you'd reach. It is perfectly okay to change your thesis!

• It provides the reader with a map to guide him/her through your work.

• It anticipates and refutes the counter-arguments

• It avoids vague language (like "it seems").

• It avoids the first person. ("I believe," "In my opinion")

• It should pass the So what? or Who cares? test (Would your most honest friend ask why he should care or respond with "but everyone knows that"?) For instance, "people should avoid driving under the influence of alcohol," would be unlikely to evoke any opposition.

From http://www.sdst.org/shs/library/thesis.html

The Thesis Statement!

•Now we’ll look at examples of weak thesis statements and talk about how to improve them.

•These examples are from www.mce.k12tn.net/reading39/paragraph.../Thesis%20Statement.ppt

A thesis statement should not be too broad.

Too Broad

The world is a magnificent place to live.

Better

Good teachers make Mountain City Elementary a fantastic school.

Which sentence is too broad to be a good thesis statement?

A. One reason to live in Mountain City is access to many wonderful places to fish.

B. Mountain City is a great place to live.

Too Broad

Mountain City is a great place to live.

A thesis statement should not be too wordy.

Wordy

Some problems with Mountain City Elementary School is that it needs a larger playground, an air conditioned gym, an auditorium, restrooms connected to each classroom, running water in the classrooms, and a number of other physical changes to the building.

Better

Mountain City Elementary needs several changes to its facility to make it a better school.

Which sentence is too wordy to be a good thesis statement?

A. Abe Lincoln was one of the best presidents the United States has ever known.

B. Abe Lincoln was an excellent speaker, the 16th President of the United States, a liberator of slaves, and united the North and South at the end of the American Civil War.

Too Wordy

Abe Lincoln was an excellent speaker, the 16th President of the United States, a liberator of slaves, and united the North and South at the end of the American Civil War.

A thesis statement should not be too general.

Too general

Mountain City Elementary is a good school.

Better

Daily writing practice has led to improved writing skills for the students at Mountain City Elementary.

Which sentence is too general to be a good thesis statement?

A. Music makes people happy.

B. Music therapy is useful in relieving stress and other conditions.

Too general

Music makes people happy.

A thesis statement should not be a title.

A title

Cost of Living

Better

The cost of living in Mountain City is lower than in most other cities in the United States.

Which sentence would not be a good thesis statement because it is a title?

A. Good teaching has led to an increase in TCAP scores at Mountain City Elementary.

B. Rising TCAP Scores at Mountain City Elementary

A Title

Rising TCAP Scores at Mountain City Elementary

A thesis statement should not be a a fact.

A fact

The average temperature for Mountain City in winter is 34 and in summer is 75 degrees.

Better

The climate in Mountain City is ideal for outdoor sports.

Which sentence would not be a good thesis statement because it is a fact?

A. The recycling of one aluminum can saves enough energy to run a TV for three hours.

B. Recycling is one of the most important jobs a person can do to protect our environment.

A Fact

The recycling of one aluminum can saves enough energy to run a TV for three hours.

Thesis Statement

•Go to the Thesis Statement link in our information window and watch the short video.

The Thesis Statement!

•Okay, so now that we are experts, we’ll work together to create some practice thesis statements.

•Let’s do some practice with all together.• Sub-topic: Social networking sites• Research Question: Do social networking sites have a

responsibility to protect the privacy of their users?• What would your thesis statement be?

The Thesis Statement!

•Now, with your partner, discuss your research question and work together to create a thesis statement for each of you.

•You will have 5 minutes. Then come back to the group and share your thoughts and any questions you have.

Questions?•T

his is challenging stuff!

• Feel free to email me as you work on creating your thesis statement. We really are in this together!

• There are a lot of resources out there to help you create a thesis statement and organize your paper. You can research how to write a research paper!

•Next week:

• We’ll discuss how your personal historical context affects your perception of events, interpretations of what you read, opinions on art, etc. How do your childhood experiences, gender, culture, religious upbringing, etc. affect your view of events? Share an example of when you had a very different opinion of an event or piece of work due to your personal historical context.

• We’ll be using the Live Chat tab of our classroom to break into small groups. Take some time this week to try and login. You may need to update your Java in order for it to work.

•Remember

• In Unit 5 you will be outlining your entire project. That means that by the time I see you next week your research should be complete for the most part.

What’s Ahead

•In our Unit 4 DB, journal, and seminar you’ll be reflecting upon how your personal experiences affect your perspective.

•Think about what events, people, beliefs in your life have shaped your view of the world.

•If you are struggling to develop a research question or clear thesis, let me know. Sorting this out sooner rather than later will make all of your future assignments much easier.

Questions or Concerns???