Senior Research Paper Workshop Presentation

March 5 and 6

Topics Addressed1. Thesis statement/ introduction

2. Assertion

3. Evidence/Analysis

4. Works Cited/ in- text citations

Period by period Schedule1st period: Thesis - LearyAssertion - Perez Evidence - AriasCitations - Taylor

2nd Period: Thesis - Leary (During peer counseling)Assertion - LaFranceEvidence - AguirreCitations - Perez

3rd Period: Thesis - LearyAssertion - AriasEvidence - AguirreCitations - Taylor

4th Period: Thesis - LearyAssertion - Perez (Glennon will watch Freshmen) Evidence - AguirreCitations - Taylor

5th Period: Thesis - LearyAssertion - LaFranceEvidence - AriasCitations - Perez

Topics by teacher breakdown:Thesis- LearyAssertion- Perez, LaFrance, AriasEvidence- Aguirre, AriasCitations- Taylor, Perez

THESIS

Research Paper Training Sessions: Thesis Statements

INTRODUCTION

➲ Set the scene•First sentence should not be your thesis!!!

•Must include some background information = give the big picture

The Question:Should RBV seniors have to take 5 classes each semester if they do not need that many to graduate?

The Task: do this quickYes, they should take 5 classes No, they do not have to take 5

Thesis Statements➲ It MUST be in the introduction!➲ Answer the Question! (ATQ)➲ Answer the Question That’s Asked (ATQTA)➲ More Specific Without Explanation

•MSWOE

Thesis Statement➲ ANSWER The QUESTION (ATQ)➲ For this assignment, an argumentative essay, the

Thesis Statement are the reasons why you are right• WIN THE ARGUMENT

Sample Thesis Statements➲ “Ouch baby, very ouch” thesis looks like…

No, because RBV is boring and I do not want to be here.

-Mistakes are…1. 1st person (do not use “I”)

2. Does not answer the question that is asked (ATQTA)

Sample Thesis Statements➲ Not very good (but at least you have one) looks like…

• RBV seniors should have more control and more choice in their class schedule.

Better = Answers the question, so it is a thesis statementProblem = Not very specific = Reader does not really know

your answer (MSWOE)

Sample Thesis Statements➲ Better, not perfect, but better looks like…

RBV’s policy of requiring seniors to take five classes is not fair because students are not rewarded for past performance and there are other things to do.More specific = going to read about rewarding effort and …Not specific enough = “things” is an essay killer!!!

XAB Style:➲ X = Counter Claim (a point other side would make➲ A = Your strongest argument➲ B = Your second strongest argument

➲ Put all three into one sentence!!!

Sample Thesis Statements➲ A solid, well-thought out thesis in XAB format looks like…

• RBV requiring seniors to take five classes opens students’ eyes to other future avenues, but ultimately the policy is unfair because their off-campus pursuits are diminished and past performance is not rewarded.

• X = counter claim (electives open eyes to other avenues)• A = Your strongest claim (off-campus opportunities lost)• B = Your second strongest claim (performance not rewarded

Sample Thesis Statements➲ A thesis with TOO MUCH looks like…

RBV’s policy of requiring five classes informs students of other possible professions like film and graphic design if you took Tompkins or Tlahac, but it is wrong because kids want jobs at McDonald’s to make money or get experience and if kids got good grades and passed their math and science classes they should not have keep taking unnecessary classes.

(I said too much, gave explanation that belongs later in essay, I started explaining)

Assertion

● What is an Assertion?

Assertions are like mini-thesis statements for your body paragraphs. They are usually single (statement) sentences. They make a specific main point. They are not summaries or general statements. The Assertion directs the reader toward where the paragraph is going or what the paragraph is about to show. Assertions are “Topic Sentences” or the Main Point of the Paragraph.

● Where does an assertion go?

An Assertion should be at the beginning of a paragraph which can then be supported with evidence and examples to prove the claim.

Assertion Defined (3 min)

Assertion Examples (5 min) DIrections: Find the 2 good assertions, and the 1 bad one

A. Since the election of President Donald Trump, America has become a very profitable oil exporting nation.

B. The nation of Venezuela is currently a mess.

C. China’s growing economy and naval capabilities will cause the United States to withdraw from the Asian region over the next 30 years.

Your Turn (8 minutes)Complete the good assertion/ bad assertion section of your handout.

Directions: For each assertion listed, please mark whether it is a good assertion, or if it is a bad assertion. If it is a bad assertion, change the wording to make it a good assertion.

Create Assertion Sentence practice(10 minutes)

For 17 years, the US has had troops fighting in Afghanistan. The war there began in 2001, just after 9/11. The goal was to oust the repressive Taliban regime, which has allowed the terrorist who planned 9/11 to operate freely. The conflict in Afghanistan is now the longest in our nation’s history, and President Trump has increased the number of troops on the ground in Afghanistan as part of an effort to stabilize the country. The Trump administration is also trying to launch negotiations with the Taliban in an effort to end the conflict.

Read the following paragraph and write 2 possible assertion sentences.

Assertion Killers (5 minutes)1. Too broad- Your assertion must be clear and concise enough to be explained with 2 or 3 pieces of evidence. ● Ex. “The US should keep troops in afghanistan to create, enforce, and keep the peace.”

2. Too narrow- If your assertion is too small, it can be answered with 1 piece of evidence. You should rephrase or rewrite to include other pieces of evidence.

3. Does it further thesis/ argument? Stay on topic/ don’t driftEach assertion must further explain your main argument. No other topic should be brought up or discussed.

4. Personal Statements● Make sure you avoid first person- “I think” or “I believe”. The reader doesn’t care about

your feelings. The reader cares about facts and explanations.

Evidence and Analysis

Evidence & Analysis

Senior Research Paper

When do you need evidence?

● How do you prove to your parents to that you can have a later curfew?

● How do you prove to your girlfriend or boyfriend that you are really

faithful?

● How do you prove to your teacher that you really did turn in the

homework assignment?

● How do prosecutors put away criminals?

EVIDENCE. EVIDENCE. EVIDENCE.

In writing, what is evidence?

A strong paragraph includes a strong assertion that is supported by specific examples or evidence clearly explained to the reader. Each paragraph should begin with a strong assertion or topic sentence that supports your thesis. An assertion is not a factual statement or a summary of the plot.

Examples and Elaboration (analysis)

● The key is to tie the example(s) to the assertion.

● Then elaborate (explain) why that example/evidence proves the

assertion to be true. This is also where you could parenthetically cite

source.

● In addition, remind the reader why this further proves the thesis and is

significant to your argument.

● Evidence obtained from a source must be parenthetically cited.

We can practice an example together and then you will practice on your own.

Example

Assertion: Political parties are not good for America because they divide the

United States more than unite the nation.

Example/Evidence: George Washington in his farewell address encouraged

the people to not participate in political parties because political parties will

seek to gain more power from the American government (Washington, 1796).

Washington would not be surprised to see after winning office, a party attempts to enact the priorities and positions of its base, which is not why the marginal voters supported it.(Parker, 2017).

Example and significance

The above can be observed today by the Democratic and Republican parties when President Obama and President Trump were elected. The Republicans and Democrats stronlgy disagreed along party lines when it came to Affordable Healthcare Act and strongly disagreed along party lines regarding immigration policies, including the building of a “wall” between Mexico and the United States. This does not serve the country well because no solutions are supported by both parties. This creates no action in our government and affects the people of the U.S. This example demonstrates how the people of the United States may not be making their own choices, but are manipulated by political parties to support their agendas.

Explanation and Significance

How does your example support your assertion? Your analysis should be at

least 3 sentences long (more if needed).

“This example proves….”

What are other terms could you use?

Now your turn:Let’s look at an example:

Now you will find all the above on the AXES paragraphs on the other side and

label.

https://news.stanford.edu/2017/12/20/political-parties-polarized-voters/

Citations and Formatting

MLA CITATIONS & FORMAT

Adapted from Allyson McAuley, Irvington High School, and Purdue OWL

●Plagiarism vs. Paraphrasing & Quoting●MLA Citations●MLA Format for Research Papers

WHAT IS PLAGIARISM? “…Taking and passing off as one’s own someone

else’s work or ideas (from Latin plagiārius, kidnapper, literary thief).”

~ Macmillan Dictionary

ANY TIME YOU USE SOMEONE ELSE'S IDEA, CITE IT.

● Keeping any of the same vocabulary without quotations, even if cited

● Keeping the original order of ideas or sentence structure without quotations, even if cited (no cutting and pasting and using synonyms)

● Not using ANY of your own ideas (entire paper is cited)● Parenthetical citations do not lead to the right source● Inaccurately paraphrasing or misrepresenting the author’s intentions

WHAT IS PLAGIARISM?

WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL?If you plagiarize:

In the “Real World,” if you plagiarize, you may…● be expelled from college (the first time you are

caught.● lose your job.● lose recommendations to another college or job.● be sued by the person whose idea you “borrowed.”

INSTEAD OF PLAGIARIZING, YOU HAVE 2 CHOICES…

“USE A DIRECT QUOTATION”…● Use the author’s exact words in “quotation

marks”● Don’t make ANY changes ● Give the author’s name (Wilson 5)That tells your teacher, “I did not write this part.

These are someone else’s words.” Quotes in your paper should be kept to a minimum.

…OR PARAPHRASE● Explain the main ideas of something

you read● Write completely in your own words● Show that you understand the source● Cite the source (Wilson 5)

HOW DO I PARAPHRASE? FIRST, READ ACTIVELY & TAKE NOTES

● STOP after each paragraph and ask yourself, “What did I just read?”

● Take notes = Write a list of the main facts. ● Write ONLY things that relate to your topic.● DON’T use full sentences.

THEN PARAPHRASE• Put the source away• Write about what you read in your

own words.• DON’T put anything in your paper

that you don’t understand.

THEN CITE YOUR SOURCES!● Author and page #:(Martinez 5)● For websites, sometimes you don’t have a page number:(Martinez)● Sometimes you don’t have an author either! Use the page

title:(“Pollution”)

IT LOOKS LIKE THIS:Americans throw away too much

trash. For example, we created 245 million tons of trash in 2006 (Parks 7). Our trash includes things like paper and food scraps that could be recycled or composted instead.

WHAT IF I WANT TO USE A QUOTATION FROM A BOOK OR WEBSITE?

● Put “quotation marks…” around the author’s words in your paper

● And put a citation after it like this:

“In 2006, about 245 million tons of trash were produced in the United States” (Parks 7).

THEN INTRODUCE & EXPLAIN YOUR EVIDENCE IN YOUR OWN WORDS:

Americans create too much waste each year. According to the book Garbage and Recycling, “In 2006, about 245 million tons of trash were produced in the United States” (Parks 7). If we keep producing so many tons of trash each year, we will run out of space in landfills, the places where we dump our garbage.

DON’T FORGET TO CITE YOUR SOURCES…

Which just means giving credit to the author and

making it easy for the reader to find the source.

“CITING YOUR SOURCES” HAS 2 PARTS:Works Cited

Bily, Cynthia A. The Impact of E-Waste. Chicago: Greenhaven Press, 2009. Print.

Mayo, Katie. Personal interview. 16 Oct. 2012.

“Pollution.” The World Book Encyclopedia. 3rd ed. 2003. Print.

A separate, dedicated page at the end of your paper listing each source you used, listed in alphabetical order

● and Parenthetical citations inside the essay: The author and page number (OR the page title if no author) right after the fact or quote:

Burrowing owls are an endangered species because of their habitat. “Burrowing owls live in underground dens that are easily threatened by construction projects” (Miller 55). Even if construction crews don’t hurt the owls, the birds may still become too afraid to lay eggs. Burrowing owl populations have gone down by 45% in the last ten years (“Threatened Bird Statistics”). Construction companies need to look for burrowing owls before they start working on a new project.

…IN MLA FORMAT• We all have to use the

same format to write papers & list our sources at the end of the paper

• MLA Handbook = a set of rules to do this

SO WHERE CAN YOU GO FOR HELP BESIDE THE MLA MANUAL?

•Purdue OWL•MLA Tutorials•Citation generators like:

-Citation Machine-Easy Bib-CiteThisForMe

EXAMPLES OF CITATIONSPRINTED MATERIAL

BOOKS (SINGLE AND MULTIPLE AUTHORS)

• Author’s last name, First name. Book Title, Words Capitalized and in Italics. Publisher, Year.

Highmore, Brian. Everyday Life and Cultural Theory in Canada: A Sociological Study. Routledge, 2001.

• Author’s Last name, First name, Author’s first name Last name, and Author’s first name Last Name. Title, Words Capitalized and in Italics. Publisher, Year.

Scholes, Robert, Nancy Comley, and David Staines. Eating Fast Food. Oxford UP, 2010. •

(ARTICLES) JOURNALS AND MAGAZINES

• Author’s last name, First name. “Title of Article.” Title of Journal, Italicized, vol. #, no. #, year, page range.

Smith, Stan. “Government and Nonprofits in the Modern Age.” Society, vol. 30, no. 2, 2003, pp. 36-45.

EXAMPLES OF CITATIONSONLINE MATERIAL

WEBSITE • Author’s Last name, First name. “Title of Document/Article.”

Title of Site, Italics, date of publication, URL. Constentino, Ed. “Asian-Pacific Disasters.” The Atlantic, 28 Dec. 2014, www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2015/asianpacificdisasters/2014. • If there is no date, don’t put anything. Constentino, Ed. “Asian-Pacific Disasters.” The Atlantic, www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2015/asianpacificdisasters/2014.•

ONLINE PERIODICAL• Author. Title. Title of container (self contained if book),

Other contributors (translators or editors), Version (edition), Number (vol. and/or no.), Publisher, Publisher Date, Location (pp.). 2nd container’s title, Other contributors, Version, Number, Publisher, Pub date, Location.

Brecheisen, J. (2019). Bush v. Gore – Minnesota Law Review. [online] Minnesotalawreview.org. Available at: http://www.minnesotalawreview.org/2018/04/bush-v-gore/ [Accessed 4 Mar. 2019].

ARTICLE FROM ONLINE DATABASE

• Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article.” Title of Journal, vol. #, no. #, year of publication, page range. Name of database, URL

• or DOI.

Tolson, Nancy. “Making Books Available: The Role of Early Libraries.” African American Review, vol. 32, no. 1, 2004, pp. 9-16. JSTOR, www.jstor/stable/41403188.

ARTICLES IN SIRS

Graham, Lindsey, and Marjorie Dannenfelser. "Late-Term Abortion: Recovering our Humanity." Des Moines Register, 29 Jul. 2015, pp. 13. SIRS Issues Researcher,https://sks.sirs.com.

Holst, Lida. "Maine should Legalize Late-Term Abortions." Portland Press Herald, 05 Jun. 2016, pp. D.4. SIRS Issues Researcher, https://sks.sirs.com.

HOW TO FORMAT YOUR PAPER

An MLA Style paper should:

• Be typed on white 8.5“ x 11“ paper

• Double-space everything

• Use 12 pt. Times New Roman (or similar) font

• Leave only one space after punctuation

• Set all margins to 1 inch on all sides

• Indent the first line of paragraphs one half-inch

Format: General Guidelines

An MLA Style paper should:

• Have a header with page numbers located in the upper

right-hand corner

• Use italics for titles

• Place endnotes on a separate page before the list of

works cited

Format: General Guidelines (cont.)

Sample 1st Page

The first page of an MLA Style paper will:

• Have no title page

• Double space everything

• List your name, your instructor's name, the course, and date in the upper left-hand corner

• Center the paper title (use standard caps but no underlining, italics, quote marks, or bold

typeface)

• Create a header in the upper right corner at half inch from the top and one inch from the

right of the page (list your last name and page number here)

Formatting the 1st Page