It is time to start developing your ideas for your Research Paper. We will begin this process by creating a draft thesis and paper outline. The first step is your thesis statement.
STEP ONE: Developing the Thesis Statement
Your thesis should add a problem, argument, and/or opinion to your topic of interest. Include: a) your specific subject b) an opinion c) a blueprint of reasoning.
Avoid arguments like:
“Summer is hot and people should drink water” (too obvious), “We should add a houseplant to main entrance” (not interesting/relevant. What’s the purpose? Is there a need/urgency?)
“Health care is too expensive” (too broad. focus on a specific program, location, population)
“Feather-blowing is a unique, but effective treatment program for veterans with asthma who grew up on farms” (Very obscure, are you going to find enough scholarly sources to effectively research this topic?)
“100% of hospitals should have free MRI scans to anyone who wants them” (nice idea, but is this realistic? Work with reasonable resources).
Thesis example: “Engaging people with Alzheimer’s through reminiscence-based movement programming is a low-cost tool that is beneficial for our participants, our communities, and our bottom line.”
This thesis includes a specific topic which includes a specific program and population. It is interesting, but not obvious or trite. Right away, the audience knows the opinion and purpose of the author. This can easily tie back in to an organization’s mission statement (serving the community, etc). It is realistic (low-cost). There is a blueprint which will serve as organization for the final proposal – (benefits for 1) participants, 2) community, 3) bottom line).
For more information on writing a thesis statement, please see OwlPurdue: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/the_writing_process/thesis_statement_tips.html
STEP TWO: Drafting a Paper Outline
Why create an outline?
Aids in the process of writing
Helps you organize your ideas
Presents your material in a logical form
Shows the relationships among ideas in your writing
Constructs an ordered overview of your writing
Defines boundaries and groups
How do I create an outline?
Determine the purpose of your paper.
Determine the audience you are writing for.
Develop the thesis of your paper.
Drafting the outline:
Brainstorm: List all the ideas that you want to include in your paper.
Organize: Group related ideas together.
Order: Arrange material in subsections from general to specific.
Label: Create main and sub headings.
Basically, your outline will constitute three main parts namely the Introduction, the Body and the Conclusion!
Instructions:
Create an alpha-numeric full-sentence outline to your research paper. Include your: 1) thesis, topic, 2) keywords, 3) introduction, 4) 3-5 supporting ideas in the body of your discussion, and 5) point for your conclusion.
Use this structure of the Research Paper Outline document as a guide (included as an attachment) . You can change this format as long as you include the sections discussed above. Create an original document for submission.
Paper Outline Template- Fall 2019.docx
