Copyright November 6, 2003 Ashley Lattner Let’s Write A Research Paper

Copyright November 6, 2003

Ashley Lattner Let’s Write A Research Paper

Copyright November 6, 2003

Ashley Lattner Let’s Write A Research Paper

The Ingredients

• Note Cards• Outline• Paper

– Introduction– Thesis– Body

• Citing– Conclusion

• Bibliography

Copyright November 6, 2003

Ashley Lattner Let’s Write A Research Paper

Using Note Cards

Note Card Colors

Biography

War

Copyright November 6, 2003

Ashley Lattner Let’s Write A Research Paper

Using Note Cards

Note Card Colors

Pre-War

War

Quotes

Copyright November 6, 2003

Ashley Lattner Let’s Write A Research Paper

Outline Skeleton StructureI. Introduction. A. First sentence – broad statement that grabs the reader’s attention. B. Narrowing your first sentence to your thesis statement. 1. a. 1.) a.) C. Thesis Statement.II. Body. * Note: everything in bold

must A. 1st Point:/1st Topic Sentence be included on outline! 1. 1st Supportive sentence a. explain b. explain 2. 2nd Supportive sentence * Note: sub-idea begins under first a. explain letter of idea b. explain 3. Transition Sentence to 2nd Topic B. 2nd Point/2nd Topic Sentence III. Conclusion.

Copyright November 6, 2003

Ashley Lattner Let’s Write A Research Paper

Ideas For Your Outline

I. Introduction. A. First sentence – broad statement that grabs the reader’s attention. B. Narrowing your first sentence to your thesis statement. C. Thesis Statement. II. Body. A. 1st Point : Biographical Information 1. 1st Supportive sentence a. explain b. explain 2. 2nd Supportive sentence a. explain b. explain 3. Transition to 2nd Point B. Point 2: Role in American Civil War C. Point 3: Impact their role made on the Civil War III. Conclusion.

Copyright November 6, 2003

Ashley Lattner Let’s Write A Research Paper

Introduction

• First sentence must grab the readers attention.

• Narrowing of Ideas.– Broad statement to point of paper (i.e. Thesis).

• Explain to your reader what you are going to tell them:– Why is it important.

– Argument and

Copyright November 6, 2003

Ashley Lattner Let’s Write A Research Paper

Thesis• According to Merriam-Webster, a Thesis is:

– “a : a position or proposition that a person (as a candidate for scholastic honors) advances and offers to maintain by argument.

– b : a proposition to be proved or one advanced without proof.”

• All your research should be guided by the culminating question (your answer will be your thesis statement):– What is the importance of my person to the American

Civil War?• Points that you will make in your paper:

– These points serve as the body of paper (i.e. the paragraphs)

Copyright November 6, 2003

Ashley Lattner Let’s Write A Research Paper

Body

• Points from your thesis = Paragraphs in your paper

• Outline of a paragraph.– 1st sentence = Point/topic sentence– 2nd sentence = 1st Supportive sentence (these can

be quotes)– 3rd and 4th sentence = Explain in your own words – 5th sentence = 2nd Supportive sentence – 6th and 7th sentence = Explain in your own words – 8th sentence = Transition sentence to next

paragraph

Copyright November 6, 2003

Ashley Lattner Let’s Write A Research Paper

Citing in MLA Standards

• Here is one example: “We have as good a colonel as in the Army of the Potomac – he is full of military brass but considerable and treats the men like men, not dogs as Ames did. He don’t say go boys, but come.” (Trulock, 100)

Copyright November 6, 2003

Ashley Lattner Let’s Write A Research Paper

Conclusion

• Basically everything you said in your introduction:

• Paper = hour glass: • Restate:

– What your paper is about, how you proved it.

Introduction

thesis

Body

thesis

Conclusion

Copyright November 6, 2003

Ashley Lattner Let’s Write A Research Paper

Bibliography

• Reference Page • Shows the research done

• Setting it up:– Double space – Indent second line to 5 letter over – Alphabetical order

• Helpful MLA site (University of Kansas Writing Center)