The Thesis Statement of an Informative Research Essay

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RESEARCH ESSAY ASSIGNMENT*

 

Assignment Description

 

Write a five to four-page informative research essay (900-1200 words) where you synthesize information gleaned from scholarly sources on a topic related to your IIHCP program of study or field of interest. (Note: The title page and reference page will be in addition to the four to five-page requirement.) You will demonstrate the usual essay-writing skills, but also show your mastery of both library database and online research skills. You will read widely and deeply on a topic related to your field of study, identify a research question, articulate a thesis, and then use outside sources to support your thesis.

 

You must reference a minimum of five sources in your paper. Your five sources must be library or Google Scholar sources, which include books, newspapers, magazines, articles and journals whether in print, digital or online. They must be authored by reputable organizations, trusted sources.

 

All drafts of the essay must be presented in APA manuscript format and all research must be cited as per APA documentation style. To set up your paper in APA style, see the “APA 6th Edition Template” handout in course documents.

 

For a discussion of how to cite sources in APA, go to: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/

 

For a sample paper in APA style, go to: http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/resdoc5e/pdf/MLA/Hacker-Mira-APA.pdf

 

For another example, go to: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/media/pdf/20090212013008_560.pdf

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*This assignment sheet is being introduced, but the final essay is not due until Week Twelve.

Please note the various activities associated with the essay throughout the weeks ahead as you build toward your finished product.

 

Finding a Topic and Research Question

You may use the link below to help you find a topic and research question:

https://www.umflint.edu/library/how-select-research-topic

The Thesis Statement of an Informative Research Essay

 

The thesis statement (usually one sentence) expresses the main idea to be explored in the body of your paper. It is usually located at the end of the introductory paragraph. The purpose of the thesis statement is to help the writer (1) shape ideas before writing, (2) organize the development of the paper, and (3) stick to the point while writing. The general thesis should always be determined before the writing begins, although it may be altered during the writing process. After reading the thesis statement in your introduction, the reader should have a clear understanding of your paper’s purpose and direction.

Writing a Good Thesis Statement:

1. Give your thesis definite content:

Example: Cancer is a serious and feared disease that may be both preventable and curable.

2. To focus your thesis, you may want to consider “blueprinting.” A blueprinted thesis allows you to unpack the points of your thesis by making them sections in the body of your paper. The result is a clear structure that keeps you and your readers on topic.

Example: Many serious diseases can be effectively treated through changes in diet, exercise, and lifestyle.

Informative Research Essay

 

Research and Writing Process Activities and Timeline

 

 

1. WK1-3: Select a topic of interest to research.

2. WK1-3: Narrow your topic to a manageable research question.

3. WK1-3: Develop a thesis statement

4. WK1-7: Conduct research related to your research question.

5. WK1-11: Participate in a discussion forum to help you further reflect on and refine the preliminary stages of your essay.

6. WK7-11: Create a References List with a summary of each entry and why it is appropriate.

7. WK3: Compose an outline with thesis statement that clearly articulates your position on the topic and develop an outline that supports your thesis statement and connects to the research you have compiled.

8. WK5: Write an Introduction with thesis statement in APA format.

9. WK6: Write your first draft in accordance with APA manuscript style and APA documentation standards. It will include a correctly formatted Title Page and References list.

10. WK8: Participate in Peer Review. Revise and edit your draft as you get reviews back.

11. WK10: Provide a self-assessment of what you need to do to improve your essay once you have feedback from your peers.

12. WK12: Submit a final draft of your Informative Research Essay.

INFORMATIVE RESEARCH ESSAY OUTLINE

Name:

Research Question:

Topic (Title) of your paper:

I. Introduction (one or two paragraphs)

A. Opening: How will you bring your reader into your essay? How will you hook him or her into reading? How will you introduce your topic? What general background information does your reader need?

B. Thesis statement: often the last sentence in the introduction. This is the most important sentence of the essay. How can you deliver the message of your essay in one amazing sentence?

II. Key Point #1: topic sentence for first key point: what is this section going to be about?

A. Sub-point giving supporting details: what ideas “unpack” your 1st key point? Evidence: What credible source(s) will you draw from to support your point?

B. Sub-point giving supporting details and evidence

C. Concluding sentence of Section 1: link back to thesis and/or forward to Key Point #2

 

III. Key Point #2: topic sentence (making sure you have transitioned well from 1st key point)

A. Supporting details and evidence

B. Supporting details and evidence

C. Concluding sentence of Section 2: link back to thesis and/or forward to Key Point #3

 

IV. Key Point #3: topic sentence (making sure you have transitioned well from 2nd key point)

A. Supporting details and evidence

B. Supporting details and evidence

C. Concluding sentence of Section 3

You may have other key points but likely not more than five

V. Conclusion: no further sources needed since this is wrap-up

A. Brief summary, OR

B. A “so-what” version: If what has been stated is fact, what are the implications?

C. Restatement of thesis in light of the information and evidence you have presented

D. Final sentence(s): end with a “clincher” . . . a flourish.

 

Adapted from “Easy Outline Worksheet” at: https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=c3BoLXNlbnR1bC5uZXR8ZWxpc2V8Z3g6NjhlY2JmZTg3NDc2M2QyMg

 

REFERENCES LIST WITH JUSTIFICATIONS*

 

You have located at least five reputable sources for use in your Informative Research Essay. Now create a References List with Justifications that includes for each entry:

 

1. The reference provided in APA format

2. A four to five sentence summary of the material that will be useful for your paper and justification as to why it is a useful, credible, and appropriate source.

 

For a valuable discussion of annotated bibliographies, consult the OWL Purdue website at:

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/614/01/

 

For a sample of an APA Annotated Bibliography entry, see:

 

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/614/03/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research Essay Peer Response Guide

 

Instructions for Peer Reviewers: Carefully review each item for the assignment. Point out areas of strength and weakness in your peer’s paper, and give specific suggestions for improvement.

THESIS AND FOCUS:

· Is the focus of the research essay clearly stated in the thesis statement in the introduction?

 

RESEARCH-BASED SUPPORTING PARAGRAPHS:

· Has the writer effectively developed his or her key points by integrating and synthesizing quotes, paraphrases, and summaries from relevant scholarly sources?

· Is enough evidence provided? Is the provided evident appropriate and effective?

· Does the writer demonstrate an effective balance between his or her own voice and the integration of outside sources in the writing?

 

ORGANIZATION:

· Does the paper flow well? Are relationships clear? Are more transitional words and phrases needed?

 

STYLE:

· Is the style suited to the subject? Is it too formal? Too casual? Too technical? Too bland? Did the writer use simple, academic prose?

 

APA:

· Did the writer accurately apply APA manuscript style for college papers (including header, pagination, double-spacing)?

· Is the title page correct according to the Wk1 APA 6th Edition Template?

· Is APA documentation appropriately and consistently used for in-text citations?

· Is APA documentation appropriately and consistently used for the References list?

 

GRAMMAR/CORRECTNESS:

· Did the writer avoid errors in grammar (comma splices, fragments, fused sentences, agreement, etc.), spelling, and mechanics?

· Did the writer proofread his or her work?

 

Informative Essay Final Draft Rubric

 

Name ____________________________________________

 

Content, Development, and Use of Research & Documentation

 

(50 POINTS—CONTENT) _____/70

· Clearly stated thesis, which is central to the paper

· Effective development and connection of main points of support (4-5 pages minimum)

· Adequate integration of relevant facts, examples, and evidence from sources to support each main point

· Balances support from at least five sources (i.e., does not rely too heavily on one or two sources for support)

 

(50 POINTS—APA) _____/40

· Correct use of APA style for in-text citations

· Correct use of APA style for references (minimum five scholarly sources)

· Correct use of APA manuscript format (including header, etc.)

 

 

Correctness _____/55 pts

· Correct spelling, punctuation, mechanics, etc.

 

 

Style: Word Choice _____/10 pts

· Concise word choice

· Appropriate level of formality (academic discourse)

 

 

Style: Sentence Structure _____/10 pts

· Variety of sentence structures and lengths

· Fragments, run-ons, and misplaced modifiers avoided

 

 

Organization _____/15 pts

· Effective introduction and conclusion

· Relationships clear among points of support and paragraphs

· Effective use of transitions

· Smooth integration of quoted/paraphrased material; sophisticated use of signal phrases

 

 

TOTAL POINTS (200 points possible) _____/200 pts

 

INFORMATIVE ESSAY SELF-ASSESSMENT

Name: _____ _______________________________________________

Directions: Examine your draft carefully and answer the following questions.

Do I have the required 4 to 5 full pages of essay text (excluding title page, Y N

Reference page, or any additional pages)?

Does my paper’s document design follow the Wk1 APA 6th Edition Template Y N

(including margins, pagination, etc.) ?

Content and development:

Is my thesis statement included in the paper’ introduction? Y N

Does my thesis statement clearly articulate the main point that I Y N

support throughout the body of my paper?

Are all of the points of my paper fully developed with research support? Y N

Did I cite at least five scholarly sources in my paper? Y N

Did I avoid relying too heavily on any one or two of my sources for the Y N

bulk of my research support?

APA Guidelines:

Did I include a Reference list that precisely follows the requirements of Y N

Writer’s Reference APA-4 b? It should look like the list in

the Childhood Obesity sample paper.

Did I cite from each of the sources on my References list? Y N

Did I follow the APA in-text documentation guidelines in APA-4a, with Y N

appropriate use of in-text citations, signal phrases,

blocked quotes, etc.

Did I document appropriately whenever I quoted from a source and enclose Y N

the quote in quotation marks (unless it is in block form)?

(Warning: a “no” answer indicates plagiarism!)

Did I document whenever I summarized or paraphrased material? Y N

(Warning: a “no” answer indicates plagiarism!)

Did I use effective signal phrases to lead into most research support? Y N

(See APA3-b)

Did I take all precautions to avoid plagiarism? Y N

Correctness and Style

Did I run spell check and make all necessary corrections? Y N

Did I proofread carefully (slowly and more than once) for errors, Y N

missing words, and sentences that don’t make sense?

(Note: Read aloud! You will catch more!)

Did I check sentences carefully (by reading them in isolation) for fragments Y N

and run-ons (including comma splice run-ons)?

Did I strive to use language appropriate for an academic audience? Y N

(Avoid cliches, slang, and other informal language devices.)

Did I avoid (whenever possible) starting sentences with “this is/was”, Y N

“there is/was”, “that is/was”, and “these are/were”?

(If unsure, read carefully for these starters.)

Did I avoid vague words, like “things,” “a lot,” “really,” and “very”? Y N

 

Provide a short paragraph here about what you are doing to make corrections to your final

draft.