Research Writing
A Quick Guide
Thesis
Once you have chosen a topic and decided how to argue it, it is time to write a thesis.
A thesis statement is a multifaceted statement (one sentence only) that directs the argument for your paper.
What does that mean?
That means that the thesis acts as a spine for the WAY in which you will argue your topic, so:
If your topic is wetlands and you want to argue for the preservation of NC wetlands because they are important to the NC ecosystem, they act as estuaries and they filter water, you may write something like-
Sample Thesis:
Wetlands are an integral part of the North Carolina coastal ecosystem that must be preserved because they provide a safe gestational space and feeding ground for countless species as well as functioning as a natural filtration system for local waters.
Awesome Thesis! Now What?
Now that you have an amazing thesis, you will start a research outline. Now I know what you are thinking- I am not writing my paper yet, why would I outline?
In two words: Google Haze!
Outstanding Outlines
We have all lost hours of our lives to Google, you know, you start with a question and search bar and then five hours have past and you are reading an article on Chinese sailors in the Ming dynasty and you never did find out if a peanut is nut (the answer is no, btw).
An outline will help you focus that, here is how you do it:
The breakdown:
Using the sections of your thesis, you will break down your topic into small, manageable pieces that will allow you to focus your research and save you lots of time.
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Prong I: The role of wetlands in the NC coastal ecosystem
A) What is a wetland?
1. Define wetlands.
2. Where are they?
3. What topographical function do they serve?
B) How do wetlands impact other topographical elements of coastal areas?
1. How do wetlands, barrier islands and the mainland function symbiotically?
2. What animal life depends on the wetlands (birds)?
3. What animal life depends on the wetlands (amphibians)?
Make your own!
Here is the link to a blank research outline:
https://docs.google.com/a/nhcs.net/document/d/1-9CpLFUlMyNCnZeYtKZluH9rMmdGL2UzH558iOl599U/edit
Have fun and ask all questions!