The document provides guidance on developing an effective thesis statement and outline for a research paper. It explains that a thesis statement should be specific and guide the essay by directly answering the assigned prompt. It also discusses how to choose relevant evidence from research notes to support each point in the outline. Students are then instructed to select one of three outlining methods - traditional, cluster, or grid - to organize their thesis, main ideas, sub-points, and evidence in preparation for writing their research paper.

1. Building a
Research Paper
Thesis Statement and Detailed
Outline

2. Writing a Thesis Statement
• A thesis statement is a road map for your essay; it tells the readers
what you will be writing about without saying “ I will be writing
about…”
• Your thesis statement should be specific – it should cover only
what you will discuss in your paper and should be supported with
specific evidence.

3. In another words…
• A thesis statement is a sentence used in an essay that serves as
the guide for the essay and directly answers the question or task
asked of you.

4. Thesis Statement
Addresses the
prompt clearly
Makes a claim or
presents an
argument
Is arguable (an
opinion)
Located in the first
paragraph of essay
(introduction)
Does not use
“You” or “We”

5. Thesis statement is NOT
A FACTUAL STATEMENT A TOPIC SENTENCE

6. FOUR CHARACTERISTICS OF AN
EFFECTIVE THESIS STATEMENT
It states your topic and focus,
which answer your research
question
It gives an overview of your
supporting points, which are
logically connected to your
focus
It gives enough information
without too much detail
It uses correct grammar and
precise vocabulary

7. Types of Thesis Statements
• There are various forms that a thesis statement can take, depending on
the author’s objectives. The most common types of thesis statements are
outlined below:
• Expository – An expository thesis statement explains an issue or a topic to
the reader. Furthermore, this type of thesis statement lists key aspects of
the topic to be discussed in the essay or research paper.
• Analytical – An analytical thesis statement is used for essays, research
papers, and other pieces of writing that seek to analyze, interpret, or
evaluate a topic’s various aspects. Analytical thesis statements typically
map out key points of the analysis and include the resulting conclusions
• Argumentative – Argumentative thesis statements indicate a topic as well
as the author’s specific position on the topic. These statements also
indicate why the author has chosen to take the said stand. Such thesis
statements are typically used to persuade readers.

9. Thesis Statement
Psychologists have argued for decades about
how a person’s character is formed. Numerous
psychologists believe that one’s birth order has the
greatest influence. Birth order can have a significant
impact in the formation of a child’s character. Birth
order can strongly affect one’s relationship with
parents, relationships with others, and how one views
responsibility as an adult.

10. Let’s try to spot a
thesis!
On each of the following slides, read the writing prompt and the two
sample statements. Choose the one that is the best choice for a thesis

11. 1. Early on in life, people develop an admiration for heroes. In a well-
developed essay, discuss a person you admire and why you chose this
person.
Option A
One person I admire is Babe Ruth, who played baseball from 1914 until 1935.
Option B
One person I admire is Babe Ruth, the greatest baseball player of all time.

12. Incorrect
Although this does address the writing prompt, this is a factual statement.
A thesis statement should be something you can argue for or against.
Option A
One person I admire is Babe Ruth, who played baseball from 1914 until 1935.

13. Correct!
This statement addresses the prompt and presents an opinion that can be
argued.
Option B
One person I admire is Babe Ruth, the greatest baseball player of all time.

14. 2. Research indicates that our society has become more violent. Crime is on the
rise in both urban and rural areas. Many adults are convinced that popular
movies and video games encourage young people to become violent. Do you
agree or disagree with the opinion that modern movies and/or video games have
contributed to the rise of violent crime in the United States?
Option A
Violent crime is not caused by movies and video games because it is the
parents’ fault.
Option B
Young people are influenced more by their parents, environments, and friends
than they are influenced by violent video games and movies.

15. Incorrect
This thesis does present an opinion, but it doesn’t address
the entire prompt. It doesn’t specify teen violence. How
could all violent crime be the parents’ fault?
Option A
Violent crime is not caused by movies and video games because it is the
parents’ fault.

16. Correct!
This is correct because it addresses the all aspects of the prompt and
presents a clear opinion. This thesis lets the reader know exactly how
the rest of the paper will be laid out.
Option B
Young people are influenced more by their parents, environments, and friends
than they are influenced by violent video games and movies.

17. Your Task.
• You will now apply what you learned by
writing your own thesis statement for your
research project.

18. EXPANDING
ROUGH
OUTLINES
WITH
EVIDENCE
• In this next stage of writing process,
the information in your sources will
have a new role.
• You will select specific information
from your notes to use as evidence in
order to help you explain each of the
main points in your thesis statement.
• When we use information from
articles to explain the main points, we
call that information “evidence”
• Your paper will be more convincing if
you use the following guidelines when
choosing evidence

19. GUIDELINES FOR CHOOSING
EFFECTIVE EVIDENCE
• Choose information that you understand easily
and can explain clearly
• Choose ideas that are directly related to the
point you are making
• Choose a variety of types of evidence

20. GUIDELINES FOR CHOOSING EFFECTIVE
EVIDENCE
• Easy to understand
• Think about whether you understand each idea well
enough to explain it in your own words
• If you don’t understand the information, you won’t be
able to write about it clearly
• Related to your point
• Even if interesting details seem to relate to your topic,
but if they don’t help you to explain your specific
supporting points, don’t put it

21. Four common types of evidence
1. Einstein Evidence
• Shows that other scholars or thinkers on the topic have come to the
same conclusion as you have
• Provide as much info as you can about the expert
2. Example Evidence
• Consists of specific examples that illustrate the point you are making
3. Fact Evidence
• Includes statistics and other objective info
4. Undocumented Evidence
Comes from your experience and things that you know or that are
commonly understood to be true
(More explanations and examples on Page 62 – 65)

22. CREATING A DETAILED OUTLINE
Criteria for a Useful Outline
Begins with thesis statement
Includes a phrase to explain supporting point
Includes notation

23. THREE OUTLINING METHODS
Traditional Outline
Helps making your outline more effective by reminding you in
detail how you plan to use your notes (Page 67)
Cluster Outline
Includes all the same info that a traditional outline does, but is
written as connected circles rather than in the linear form of
the traditional outline (Page 68)
Grid Outline
Includes the thesis, supporting points, sub-points and
evidence. Info is organized as a chart which offers a visual
perspective of your ideas (Page 69)

24. Now that you have learned about detailed outline, discuss with
your group members which of the three methods you will choose
for your research project. Brainstorm with your group members
the details needed to complete the outline.
Please submit the completed outline before the due date.
YOUR TASK…