I. Getting From Topic To Thesis Defining the Main Idea 1

I. Getting From Topic To Thesis

Defining the Main Idea

1

Table of Contents

Jamie’s Assignment 3Selecting a Topic 4-6Creating a Thesis 7-8Jamie’s Thesis Question 9Jamie’s Tentative Thesis 10

2

3

Jamie’s Assignment * Write a 5-7 (Does not include title page/works

Cited Page)page research paper on the topic “Youth Violence.” Explore the cause of one aspect of youth violence and argue for a solution.

* Please include at least five cited sources and use MLA format.

See “What is Argumentative Writing?” File Attachment here Research Paper Day 2

4

Violence in Video Games

Violence in Music

Television and

Violence

Rape

Racism and

ViolenceSports

and Violence

Violence vs. Self (suicide

or eating disorders)

Which topic to choose?

5

I love to watch TV!

This topic is going

to be fun!

I don’t think there is any link between real and TV violence.

I’m picking

“Violence and

Television.”

6

What Is a Thesis?

A thesis asserts the point or makes the argument the paper will prove.

Conclusion

How to Create a ThesisThe best way to create a thesis is to ask a central

research question. The ANSWER to the question is the THESIS.

1. Purdue Online Writing Lab http://owl.english.purdue.edu/workshops/hypertext/ResearchW/point.html

2. Harvard Writing Center http://www.fas.harvard.edu/%7Ewricntr/documents/Thesis.html

7

Jamie’s THESIS QUESTION

Does watching violence on television cause teens to commit real-life violence? (And if so, what action should be taken?)

8

Jamie’s Tentative Thesis

Now Jamie has to go to the library to do research.

9

There is no link between teens watching television and committing real-life violence.

Ways to Explore the Selected Topic

• Make an Outline of ideas

• Cluster/Map ideas

• Do a Free write.

• ***See Examples of all following this slide.10