DEVELOPING YOUR THESIS

English 12

From The Everyday Writer

Research Question

Working hypothesisAnswer your research question the way you

think it will be answeredAt this point, you have already done this

After you have finished your research You will know at this point if your

working hypothesis is correct If you were wrong about your answer,

redefine your working hypothesis

Develop an explicit thesis Identify your purpose and audience as

well as your topic. I plan to

(explain/argue/demonstrate/analyze, and so on) for an audience of ________ that ____________________________ because/if_______________________.

For example, David Craig

“I plan to demonstrate for an audience of classmates that instant messaging seems to be a positive force in the development of youth literacy because it promotes regular contact with words, the use of written communication, and the development of an alternative form of literacy.”

When he wrote his draft, he did not reference his audience, but including it here helps him to focus his writing.

Organizing Introduction

Define instant messaging Thesis statement and explanation

It is a positive force because: Promotes regular contact with words

○ Why is this positive?○ Supporting details

Promotes the use of written communication○ Why is this positive?○ Supporting details

Promotes the development of an alternative form of literacy○ Why is this positive?○ Supporting details

Conclusion

What if ?

If you find that your hypothesis is invalid, inadequately supported, or insufficiently focused, you may need to:Rethink your research questionDo further research

Testing your thesis How can you state your thesis more precisely

or clearly? Should the wording be more specific?

In what ways will your thesis interest your audience? What can you do to increase?

Will your thesis be manageable or broad enough given the requirements? What can you do to make it work?

What evidence from your research supports each aspect of your thesis? What additional evidence do you need?