Getting Started

<= ![endif]> STEP #1: A, B, C’s of Getting Started

A. “What am I supposed to do?”

ü Take some t= ime to look at your assignment closely and determine exactly what you are required= to do. Try highlighting the key requirements with a yellow marker.

ü What is your topic? If your assignment all= ows you to choose your own topic, be sure to narrow it so that it is suitable f= or a short paper. (Native Americans vs.Yaqui Indians in <= st1:State w:st=3D"on">Arizona in the early 20^th century) Go to http= ://www.pima.edu/library/help/how-to/selecting/index.shtml for help on selecting a research topic. Ask your teacher or a librarian for their opinion of the topic you select before getting started.

ü How will yo= u be graded? Has a rubric been provided? If so, use it to se= e what aspects of the assignment your teacher will emphasize during grading, and be sure to do them well!

ü What is the= due date? Mark important due dates throughout the project in your planner or calendar.

ü Take a look= at a sample research paper: http://www.dia= nahacker.com/pdfs/hacker-Daly-MLA.pdf

B. “What’s a thesis statement?” &nbs= p;

A thesis statement tells what you believe and wh= at you are setting out to prove in your paper.&nb= sp; One trick with a thesis is that you won’t necessarily know what you believe until you investigate the subject a bit. You can begin with a “preliminary thesis” and change it as you become familiar with the subject. Sometimes a thesis statement is formulated after notes are taken and before outlining; check your teacher’s preference. A= good thesis statement should be a statement with which a person with a different point of view might disagree. Your job is to defend your statement with fac= tual research.

Thesis statement example:

The I= nternet is a great source of information but should be used cautiously.<= /span>

Here are two websites that can help you to devel= op a thesis statement:

http://www.sdst.org/shs/library/thesis.html

http:= //www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/thesis_statement.shtml

C. “How do I begin?” Focusing your research…=

The easiest way to organize your research is to take notes as you consult a var= iety of sources. You will waste ti= me, however, if you take notes on EVERY fact you find.

To focus your reading and note taking, write on = an index card:

State your purpose= . Use words that indicate what you will do.   Examples:

analyze &nbs= p; classify

compare contrast

define  = ; describe

determine        establish

explain &nbs= p; identify

prove      suppor= t

persuade &nb= sp; examine

<= /p>

Topic<= /b>: Violence on television

If a thesis statement is required:<= /span>

Prove: (thesis) Television violence increases aggressive behavior in teenagers.<= o:p>

Write what you hope to prove about your topic, a= lso known as your thesis.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to present evidence that suggests = that violent television causes aggresive behavior in teens.<= /p>
Questions:

1.=     How much television do teens watch?

2.=

Write 4 or 5 questions that will help you focus = your research.

How do we define “= ;violent?”

3.=     Have there been any scientific studies on this= ?

4.=     What perc= entage of TV programs are violent?

      5.   Has teen violence increase= d?

&nb= sp;