View
1.554
Download
0
Category
Tags:
Preview:
DESCRIPTION
This presentation is Part One for students in preparation of writing their thesis paper. It was designed to assist students with preliminary research and developing a thesis statement.
Citation preview
Guidelines for Writing Your Thesis PaperPart One: ResearchMrs. Ligo Library Media SpecialistBayshore Middle School
Research is a “life” skill
?
1. Primary Sources2. Books, Magazines,
Newspapers3. Searching on the Internet4. Using Databases
Finding Sources
Primary Sources vs.
Secondary Sources
Primary = personal
Secondary = summary
Finding Sources
Use books Reference Books, Encyclopedias, Biographies Use the online card catalog
Finding Sources
Searching on the internet
Make sure your websites are authentic
Who is providing the information? What does the information tell you? When was the information last updated? How is the information displayed?
Finding Sources
Use fact-checking “search engines”
Finding Sources
Use “keywords”
Finding Sources
Databases vs. Websites
Finding Sources
Tips for searching on the databases
Use limiters to narrow or broaden your search
Look for articles that are brief in length 1-3 pages
Save your research to a folderRemember to get opposing
viewpoints
Finding Sources
Choose a subject that interests youBrainstorm
What do I know already?What do I want to learn?
Narrow down the subjectDefine key words Preliminary research
Develop a thesis statement
Topic Selection
A thesis statement should be a “bold statement” reflecting the author’s opinion.
It must be supported, explained and proven in the body of the paper.
It should not be stated as “I think…”
The thesis statement is generally found at the end of the introductory paragraph.
Thesis Statement
Ask the question “why” at least five times
For example:Agent Orange in Vietnam
What I know already- It was a chemical used during the Vietnam War.What I want to learn-Why was it used? Why was it harmful? Why did it change the course of the war? Why was it called agent orange? Why would the U.S. use the chemical if it was hazardous to our soldiers?
Thesis Statement
Log in to the computers & type Destiny into the URL box
Use the menu of tools/access points
Use Bayshore LibGuides
You may want to start a list or “works cited” page of your sources as you are researching
Getting Started
Take your Time!!
1. Give an example of a primary source.2. Give an example of a secondary source.3. Where is a good place to start your
research and select a topic?4. How does a search engine work?5. What are the 4 types of resources for
research?6. How would you evaluate a website? (one
example)7. What is the difference between a website
and a database?8. Good keywords can help to narrow or
broaden your search. True or False?
Review
Bentley, Nancy. Don't Be a Copycat!: Write a Great Report without Plagiarizing. Berkeley Heights, NJ: Enslow Elementary, 2008. Print.
Billy, Jennifer. Cell Phone Comparision. Digital image. Money Saving Secrets Blog. 8 Feb. 2011. Web. 4 Feb. 2012. <http://moneysavingsecretsblog.com/category/money-management/>.
College Comparison. Digital image. Thinksquad Blog. 23 May 2011. Web. 4 Feb. 2012. <http://thinksquad.net/tag/college/>.
Diary of Sophia Peabody Hawthorne (1809–1871)1862. Digital image. The Diary: Three Centuries of Private Lives. The Morgan Library & Museum. Web. 4 Feb. 2012. <http://www.themorgan.org/exhibitions/exhibition.asp?id=42>.
Gaines, Ann. Ace Your Research Paper. Berkeley Heights, NJ: Enslow, 2009. Print."Homework Center: Writing Skills — Infoplease.com." Infoplease. Family Education
Network/Pearson Education. Web. 16 Jan. 2012. <http://www.infoplease.com/homework/writingskills1.html>.
"Primary and Secondary Sources." Palm Beach School Talk Blog. Web. 04 Feb. 2012. <http://palmbeachschooltalk.com/groups/digitalhub/wiki/4700b/Primary_and_Secondary_Sources.html>.
"Thesis Statement." Wheaton College Writing Center. Wheaton College, 2009. Web. 16 Jan. 2012. <http://www.wheaton.edu/Academics/Services/Writing-Center/Thesis-Statement>.
"What Are Archives? - Primary Sources in American History and Culture - Guides at Baruch College." Home - Guides at Baruch College. Web. 04 Feb. 2012. <http://guides.newman.baruch.cuny.edu/primarysources>.
"What Are Spiders on Websites?" Answers.yourdictionary.com. Love to Know. Web. 04 Feb. 2012. <http://answers.yourdictionary.com/answers/computer/>.
Bibliography
Recommended