Research Paper

In a well-written paper of multiple drafts, write a persuasive essay defending a position on a current social issue. Include evidence from 3 sources, including good websites, literary works or non-fiction. Your essay must be 500 words or more not including the Works Cited page. All drafts are due April 9th.

Use this document to get started.

TIPS FOR WRITING A STRONG THESIS
(Written by Jennifer Selvin, Gateway High School, San Francisco, CA)

1. A thesis should take a definite side. It shouldn’t be wishy-washy or vague.
Weak thesis: Gateway students are good at some things and bad at some things.
Strong thesis: As demonstrated by their negotiations with their teachers and administrators, Gateway students have powerful argumentation skills which they use to negotiate changes in the curriculum and classroom policies.

2. A thesis should not simply restate facts. A good thesis is one that someone could argue against.
Weak thesis: Gateway is located on Seventh Avenue in the Sunset District.
Strong thesis: While some students at Gateway dine daily at Burger King, Gateway’s location in the Sunset District offers students healthier eating options than those available to students at other high schools in San Francisco.

3. A thesis should center around one main idea. Decide on one topic and support it well rather than presenting two separate ideas.
Weak thesis: The music class at Gateway should perform in a Golden Gate Park drum circle and students should be able to park their cars in the school parking lot.
Strong thesis: Although some students may feel shy about performing in public, Gateway music students should hold a drum circle in Golden Gate Park to show off their talents and musical training.

4. A thesis should be specific. Narrow broad thesis statements to focus on a particular issue or problem.
Weak thesis: Teenagers have a lot of problems.
Strong thesis: Many teenagers have difficulty establishing their independence because, although they are approaching emotional and physical maturity, they remain financially dependent on their parents.

5. A thesis should be clear. The reader should be able to accurately understand the author’s intent by reading the thesis.
Weak thesis: The students at this school have creative cerebrums that, when applied to activities with guidance from an artiste, manifest great and colorful products, that sometimes are paper mache and sometimes are TV shows.
Strong thesis: Gateway students have creative talents which, with the guidance of an experienced teacher, allow them to produce high quality artwork in a variety of media.
THESIS STARTERS:
Although (insert opposing argument), …
While (insert opposing argument),…
As evidenced by (insert evidence)…
As demonstrated by (insert evidence)…
As shown by (insert evidence)…
Because (insert reason)…..



THESIS LINKERS:
...shows that…
…demonstrates that…
…proves that…
….reveals that…
…represents…
…illustrates…
….parallels…. (develops in a similar direction or way like parallel lines)