This document provides guidance on writing a research paper, focusing specifically on developing a thesis statement. It emphasizes that a good thesis must be a complete sentence that states the main point or idea to be explored in the paper. The thesis should then be supported with three convincing supporting points. An example thesis and supporting points are provided about a teenager asking for help buying a used car. Finally, the document stresses that a thesis must present an idea that can be unpacked with evidence rather than being a question or fact.

1. Writing Your Research Paper

2. Part II
Focusing Your Research Paper
By Jean Reynolds, Ph.D.

3. Your research is finished. Congratulations!

4. But don’t start writing your paper just yet.

5. Good writers always start with a plan.

6. Your first task is to plan the structure of your
research paper.

7. Here’s the plan that many
instructors prefer. (Be
sure, of course, to find out
exactly how YOUR
instructor wants your
paper to be done.)

8. A writing plan always begins with a thesis.
 A thesis is a sentence that states your main point.
 It forms the basis for your entire paper.

9. The thesis does the “heavy lifting” in your
research paper.

10. It goes on your first page.

11. Your thesis drives your paper.

12. Without a thesis, all you have is a jumble of
ideas.

13. If you’re not sure whether you have a thesis for
your paper…

14. …that’s an emergency!

15. You need to talk with your instructor or a librarian
right away.

16. Let’s try a real-life example of how a thesis works.
Imagine a teenager who wants her parents to
help her buy a used car.

17. Here’s what she’s saying to them:

18. Her point would come across better if she
organized her ideas. First she needs to state her
main point (her thesis):
“I need your help to buy
a used car.”

19. She should support her thesis with three
convincing points:
I need your help to buy a used
car.
 I’ve been driving for a year
now without a single
violation.
 I’ll be more helpful at home if
I have my own car.
 I’ve already saved half the
money I’ll need.

20. And she should put her most convincing point
last: “I’ll be more helpful at home if I have my own
car.” (Her parents will like that idea!)
I need your help to buy a used
car.
 I’ve been driving for a year
now without a single
violation.
 I’ve already saved half the
money I’ll need.
 I’ll be more helpful at home
if I have my own car.

21. You’ll learn more about supporting ideas in the
next presentation, “Organizing Your Research
Paper.”
Right now let’s
concentrate on how to
write a thesis.

22. A thesis:
 must be a complete sentence:
Benefits of Attending Preschool X
Preschools teach young children important skills. ✓
 must not contain two contradictory ideas:
Inmates should have to work, but businesses worry about
competition from cheap inmate labor. X
Inmates should learn a trade in prison. ✓

23. A thesis:
 must be a statement, not a question:
Was Reagan’s amnesty program a success? X
The US benefited from Reagan’s decision to grant
amnesty to undocumented workers. ✓
 must be an idea, not a fact:
President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation
Proclamation on January 1, 1863. X
The Emancipation Proclamation helped the North win the
Civil War. ✓

24. A thesis must be an idea that you can unpack
with...
 data
 facts
 examples
 proofs
 anecdotes
 quotations from experts

25. It should have a
KEYWORD that will
serve as the focus for
the entire research
paper.

26.  Thesis: Preschools teach important skills to young
children.
Keyword: skills
 Thesis: Inmates should learn a trade in prison.
Keyword: trade
 Thesis: The US benefited from Reagan’s decision to
grant amnesty to undocumented workers.
Keyword: benefited
 Thesis: The Emancipation Proclamation helped the
North win the Civil War.
Keyword: win

27. In the next presentation, we’re going to use this
thesis to build a plan for a research paper about
ragtime music:

28. The keyword is changed.

29. Here’s the plan for
writing the paper.
It features a thesis and
supporting ideas.

30. Notice that each
supporting idea is
about how ragtime
CHANGED American
musical history.

31. You can read the entire ragtime paper free at
www.ragtimeresearchpaper.com.
Please take a few
minutes to look at it!
You’ll see how it’s
organized and how all
the parts work
together.

32. Be sure to watch all the parts in the
Writing Your Research Paper series at
www.ResearchPaperSteps.com.
I Researching Your Topic
II Focusing Your Research Paper
III Organizing Your Research Paper
IV Drafting Your Research Paper
V Documenting Your Sources

33. If you need to sharpen your writing skills…
…go to Amazon.com
for a free preview of
What Your English
Teacher Didn’t Tell You
by Jean Reynolds, Ph.D.

34. And remember to check out the free
resources at www.WritewithJean.com.