The Thesis Statement

RULES FOR WRITING

Databasesby Mrs. Ryan A group of related data organized for easy access via computer.Paraphrasing and SummarizingAfter you have completed research and note taking, and you have some main ideas of what you would like to write in your essay, you can begin thinking about writing a thesis statement.

The Thesis StatementOPENINGSOpenings are NOT thesis statements.Thesis statements are NOT openings.Openings are also called Grabbers and Hooks by some of your teachers.They GRAB your attention or HOOK you, and make you want to continue reading.

Creating a Works Cited Page in an Essay This book can change your life.

"You" should only be used when you are actually writing to, and about, a specific, known person, not when making general statements. When you write a letter, you should use a proper address.When writing a letter, use a proper address.

Avoiding you helps you to avoid assumptions.

Avoid a question grabberAvoid assumptionsAvoid informal writing and slangAvoid contractionsAvoid- I will show you In this essay, I will tell you etc.Avoid parentheses Write out numbers from 0-10Explain terms and other information not known by the readerSubjects and verbs agree in tense and numberUse a variety of transitions/phrasesAs much as possible re-word to avoid youYou: "Sometimes, you feel like writing is too hard." Reason: I never feel this way, so this statement is not true. The writer probably means "I" or "some writers," e.g., "Sometimes, I feel like writing is too hard." "You" should only be used when you are actually writing to, and about, the reader, not when making general statements.Use commas to offset transition wordsCHECKLIST FOR WRITING

Capitalization?Lower case?Extra or unnecessary words deleted?

Misspelled words circled?

End punctuation?Paragraphs indented?

New paragraphs where needed?Suggest rewording?

Indicate awkward sentences?

Indicate run on sentences?

Indicate agreement where needed?

Indicate fragments?

Insert other punctuationapostrophes, commas?

Return to title pageEmmons has two databases:Culture GramsEbsco host

Access the databases via the school web pagewww.emmons-school.comStudent tabWeb sites for studentsEBSCO hostUser name and passwordemmons/raidersStudent research center middle school Advanced search

Downs Syndrome

PDF Version

Citation Information

Searching the databaseAdvance searching Things to rememberKey words Use of and/or/notSearch limitersIf at first you dont succeed Citationsget the info nowSearch termsFull articlesPDF vs. HTML

APL has databases for you to use too:www.antiochdistrictlibrary.orgYour library bar code is the user nameLeft side blue box Research CenterYou need a password issued from the APL to get into the databaseThat will require you to talk to your parents

Databases to focus on at APLEncyclopaedia Britannica Library EditionHealth Reference CenterMedlineProQuest Discovery **Wilson Web Junior and Senior High Collection**

PARAPHRASING & SUMMARIZINGTo provide support to your own ideas To give reasons of why you agree or disagree with somethingTo give depth to your writingTo refer to something that led to your ideasTo give a point of view which is different from yoursPARAPHRASINGParaphrasing is re-writing another writers words or ideas in your own words without altering the meaning. The paraphrase is about the same length as the original since the purpose is to rephrase without leaving out anything, and not to shorten.Paraphrase when:You want to use another writers words without plagiarizingYou want to use another writers words without the use of quotesThe ideas of the other writer are more important than his/her style You think that the words of the other writer are too difficult for your readersLets try it!SummarizingSummarizing, is putting down the main ideas of someone elses work in your own words. A summary is always shorter than the original since the idea is to include only the main points of the original work and to leave out the irrelevant. A summary is usually about one-third the size of the original. Summarize when:You want to identify only the main ideas of the writerYou want to give an overview of the topic (from several sources)You want to simplify a complex argumentYou want to condense the matter to suit your requirementRules for SummarizingDelete some informationTrivial information that is unnecessary for understandingOriginsExamplesDefinitionsListsSubstitute some informationKeep important informationLets try it!The Photographic ProcessThe word photography comes from the Greek word meaning drawing light. Light is the most essential ingredient in photography. Nearly all forms of photography are based on the fact that certain chemicals are photosensitivethat is, they change in some way when they are exposed to light. Photosensitive materials abound in nature; plants that close their blooms at night are one example. The films used in photography depend on a limited number of chemical compounds that darken when exposed to light. The compounds most widely used today are silver and chemicals called halogens (usually bromine, chlorine, or iodine.).

Thesis StatementDefinitionA thesis statement is a complete sentence that contains one main idea. This idea controls the content of the entire essay. A thesis statement that contains subtopics also helps a reader know how the essay will be organized.

Look at the next introductory paragraph. See if you can identify the thesis statement and subtopics.

The Snow Leopard is a large cat native to the mountain ranges of central and southern Asia. It is known for its beautiful appearance. Because of its harsh living environment it has adapted unique qualities. Its distinctive behaviors help it to survive in the wild. Still, the snow leopard is endangered, for a number of reasons. Thesis StatementExampleThesis StatementExampleThe Snow Leopard is a large cat native to the mountain ranges of central and southern Asia. It is known for its beautiful appearance. Because of its harsh living environment it has adapted unique qualities. Its distinctive behaviors help it to survive in the wild. Still, the snow leopard is endangered, for a number of reasons. The thesis statement contains the main idea that controls the content of the essay.Subtopics in the thesis or nearby help the reader know how the essay will be organized.

Spotted CatsSeveral members of the cat family have spotted fur. It is interesting to note the difference between a leopard, a jaguar, and a cheetah. From a distance they may appear somewhat similar. Examined at closer range, however, they are clearly different cats. They differ in various ways, including where they live, how big they are, how they move and hunt, and how their fur is marked.Spotted CatsSeveral members of the cat family have spotted fur. It is interesting to note the difference between a leopard, a jaguar, and a cheetah. From a distance they may appear somewhat similar. Examined at closer range, however, they are clearly different cats. They differ in various ways, including where they live, how big they are, how they move and hunt, and how their fur is marked.

Review Key PointsThesis StatementStates the main idea of the essay in a complete sentence, not in a question.Is usually at the end of an introduction.States a position or perspective on a topic. It doesnt just state the topic, itself.Often lists subtopics.Does not directly announce your main topic.

After you have written a thesis statement, you can begin to consider your opening statement.

The OpeningOPENINGS: The NEVER DO THIS LISTNEVER start your research paper with a question, unless you are super amazingly intelligent, AND you have run the question passed your teacher who will decide if it is RHETORICAL and therefore, acceptable.OPENINGS: The NEVER DO THIS LISTIn this essay I will tell you about ..I am going to talk about..You will learn all about..I researched _____ and I learned a lot.Etc.(Unless you like getting 0s on your essays.)OPENINGSOpenings ARE:

Super interesting ideas or facts that make your reader want to say, Really?! Wow! Thats amazing! I did NOT know that! I MUST read more!OPENINGSOpenings ARE:Something extremely interesting or unusual that you learned that hooks or grabs your reader.Might be some random fact or idea that you could not find a place for in your essay.

Types of OpeningsTYPES OF OPENINGSThesis Statement Opening

What?

Didnt you just tell us that the Thesis is NOT the Opening and the Opening is NOT the Thesis?

Yes, I did.TYPES OF OPENINGSBut, this is the traditional style of opening a paper. This is a "mini-summary" of your paper. It can also be somewhat boring, if you do not use an effective general statement.Examples:Several members of the cat family have spotted fur. It is interesting to note the difference between a leopard, a jaguar, and a cheetah. From a distance they may appear somewhat similar. Examined at closer range, however, they are clearly different cats. They differ in various ways, including where they live, how big they are, how they move and hunt, and how their fur is marked.

TYPES OF OPENINGSThe Snow Leopard is a large cat native to the mountain ranges of central and southern Asia. It is known for its beautiful appearance. Because of its harsh living environment it has adapted unique qualities. Its distinctive behaviors help it to survive in the wild. Still, the snow leopard is endangered, for a number of reasons.TYPES OF OPENINGSOpening with a Story (Anecdote)A good way of catching your reader's attention is by sharing a story that sets up your paper. Sharing a story gives a paper a more personal feel and helps make your reader comfortable.

TYPES OF OPENINGSOpening with a Story (Anecdote)Example:In Eastern mythology, it is believed that a priest went up into the Himalayan Mountains to meditate, became trapped in a snowstorm and was transformed into a Snow Leopard. Because of this legend, some eastern people believe the Snow Leopard is holy, and strive to protect it. This endangered animal, with its beautiful appearance, unique adaptations, and distinctive behaviors, needs protection to survive in modern times.

TYPES OF OPENINGSSpecific Detail OpeningGiving specific details about your subject appeals to your reader's curiosity and helps establish a visual picture of what your paper is about.

TYPES OF OPENINGSSpecific Detail OpeningExample:Much can be learned about how snow leopards live just by looking at them. From their noses to their thick, furry tails, snow leopards are well adapted for their cold, rugged mountain environment. The beautiful appearance, unique adaptations, and distinctive behaviors of snow leopards are important to know about, in order to understand why and how they should be protected.

TYPES OF OPENINGSOpen with a Quotation

Another method of writing an introduction is to open with a quotation. This method makes your introduction more interactive and more appealing to your reader.

TYPES OF OPENINGSOpen with a QuotationExample:As children, small creatures endlessly fascinate us; as adults, we can protect them so as to inspire future children, says Les E. Watling, a Marine Ecologist and Professor of Biological Oceanography (SKEP Newsletter, 2006). One such fascinating creature we can protect is the Snow Leopard. With its beautiful appearance, unique adaptations, and distinctive behaviors, snow leopards need our protection to survive.

TYPES OF OPENINGSOpen with an Interesting Statistic

Statistics that grab the reader help to make an effective introduction.

TYPES OF OPENINGSOpen with an Interesting StatisticExample:Researchers estimate that there are between 3,500 and 7,000 snow leopards left in the wild. Since the main threats to snow leopards come from humans, it is clear that their survival depends on an understanding of their beautiful appearance, their unique adaptations, and their distinctive behaviors.

TYPES OF OPENINGSQuestion OpeningsWhat? I thought you said we couldnt open with a question!Thanks for paying attention. I said you could use a question if: you are super amazingly intelligent, AND you have run the question passed your teacher who will decide if it is RHETORICAL and therefore, acceptable.AND, the question CANNOT be one that can be answered yes or no.

Did I mention?The question CANNOT be one that can be answered yes or no.TYPES OF OPENINGSQuestion OpeningsExample:How is the Snow Leopard threatened by humans? How can the snow leopard be saved with the help of humans? Its beautiful appearance has an impact on its survival. Its unique adaptations help to sustain it. However, its distinctive behaviors threaten human survival. These are some of the questions that can be answered by understanding more about the snow leopard.

What is a Works Cited Page? The end page where all sources used for a formal research paper are written in a specific style. We use MLA style for citing english and history papers Life has become easier now with technology for making a works cited page Your end product will look like this:alpha orderuse MLA citation style Works Cited

"Blueprint Lays Out Clear Path for Climate Action." Environmental Defense Fund. Environmental Defense Fund, 8 May 2007. Web. 24 May 2009.Clinton, Bill. Interview by Andrew C. Revkin. Clinton on Climate Change. New York Times. New York Times, May 2007. Web. 25 May 2009.Dean, Cornelia. "Executive on a Mission: Saving the Planet." New York Times. New York Times, 22 May 2007. Web. 25 May 2009.Ebert, Roger. "An Inconvenient Truth." Rev. of An Inconvenient Truth, dir. Davis Guggenheim. Rogerebert.com. Sun-Times News Group, 2 June 2006. Web. 24 May 2009.GlobalWarming.org. Cooler Heads Coalition, 2007. Web. 24 May 2009.Gowdy, John. "Avoiding Self-organized Extinction: Toward a Co-evolutionary Economics of Sustainability." International Journal of Sustainable Development and World Ecology 14.1 (2007): 27-36. Print.An Inconvenient Truth. Dir. Davis Guggenheim. Perf. Al Gore, Billy West. Paramount, 2006. DVD.Leroux, Marcel. Global Warming: Myth Or Reality?: The Erring Ways of Climatology. New York: Springer, 2005. Print.Milken, Michael, Gary Becker, Myron Scholes, and Daniel Kahneman. "On Global Warming and Financial Imbalances." New Perspectives Quarterly 23.4 (2006): 63. Print.Nordhaus, William D. "After Kyoto: Alternative Mechanisms to Control Global Warming." American Economic Review 96.2 (2006): 31-34. Print.---. "Global Warming Economics." Science 9 Nov. 2001: 1283-84. Science Online. Web. 24 May 2009.Shulte, Bret. "Putting a Price on Pollution." Usnews.com. US News & World Rept., 6 May 2007. Web. 24 May 2009.Uzawa, Hirofumi. Economic Theory and Global Warming. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 2003. Print.

Using online tools to help out! www.easybib.com

http://citationmachine.net/index2.php

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/12/

Websiteswww.easybib.comClick on the type of source you want to fill inExample citing a book (HINT: use the ISBN)

Enter ISBNIf it has been cited on easybib.com. then you will have sources pop up, pick the correct one! Modify information, if necessary

After all information is correct, then hit create citation Copy and Past your Citation into your Works Cited Page

Copy and Paste into your Works Cited Page, keep the same format

Website:Son of Citation Machine Website Pick MLA format

Pick the type of source you are needing to cite

Fill out all the necessary information Hit Make Citation when you filled in all the information

Copy and Paste into your Works Cited Page, keep the same format

104Definition:Plagiarism is the act of presenting the words, ideas, images, sounds, or the creative expression of others as your own.

104105How serious is the problem?A study of almost 4,500 students at 25 schools, suggests cheating is . . . a significant problem in high school - 74% of the respondents admitted to one or more instances of serious test cheating and 72% admitted to serious cheating on written assignments. Over half of the students admitted they have engaged in some level of plagiarism on written assignments using the Internet.Based on the research of Donald L. McCabe, Rutgers UniversitySource: CIA Research. Center for Academic Integrity, Duke University, 2003 .

105106Two types of plagiarism:IntentionalCopying a friends workBuying or borrowing papersCutting and pasting blocks of text from electronic sources without documentingMedia borrowingwithout documentationWeb publishing without permissions of creators

UnintentionalCareless paraphrasingPoor documentationQuoting excessivelyFailure to use your own voice

106107Real life consequences:Damaged the reputation of two prominent historians, Stephen Ambrose and Doris Kearns Goodwin,Kearns left television position and stepped down as Pulitzer Prize judge for lifting 50 passages for her 1987 book The Fitzgeralds and the Kennedys (Lewis)Senator Joseph Biden dropped his 1987 campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination. (Sabato)Copied in law school and borrowed from campaign speeches of Robert Kennedy Boston Globe journalist Mike Barnicle forced to resign for plagiarism in his columns (Boston Columnist . . .)Probe of plagiarism at UVA--45 students dismissed, 3 graduate degrees revokedCNN Article AP. 26 Nov. 2001Channel One Article AP. 27 Nov. 2002

107108Consequences (contd)New York Times senior reporter Jayson Blair forced to resign after being accused of plagiarism and fraud.The newspaper said at least 36 of the 73 articles he had written had problems with accuracy, calling the deception a "low point" in the newspaper's history.

New York Times Exposes Fraud of Own Reporter. ABC News Online. 12 May, 2003.http://www.pbs.org/newshour/newshour_index.html109Consequences (contd) Controversial New Jersey valedictorian denied her seat as a Harvard freshman when it discovered she plagiarized in a local newspaper.

110Is this important?What if:Your architect cheated his way through math class. Will your new home be safe?Your lawyer paid for a copy of the bar exam to study. Will the contract she wrote for you stand up in court?The accountant who does your taxes hired someone to write his papers and paid a stand-in to take his major tests? Does he know enough to complete your tax forms properly?(Lathrop and Foss 87)111This is what you need!In-text citationsRight after you give some information that you learned or got from a source, name the source in parenthesis.List of works citedMatches your in-text citations.112Do I have to cite everything?

113Nope! Facts that are widely known, orInformation or judgments considered common knowledge Do NOT have to be documented.

Hooray for commonknowledge!114

Examples of common knowledge

John Adams was our second presidentThe Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941

If you see a fact in three or more sources, and you are fairly certain your readers already know this information, it is likely to be common knowledge. But when in doubt, cite!115No need to document when:You are discussing your own experiences, observations, or reactionsCompiling the results of original research, from science experiments, etc.You are using common knowledge116Whats the big deal?If I change a few words, Im okay, right?Wrong! Paraphrasing original ideas without documentingyour source, is plagiarism too!

117You can borrow from the works of others in your own work! Just do it correctly!118Use these three strategies,QuotingParaphrasing Summarizing

To blend source materials in with your own, making sure your own voice is heard.

119QuotingQuotations are the exact words of an author, copied directly from a source, word for word. Quotations must be cited!

Use quotations when:You want to add the power of an authors words to support your argumentYou want to disagree with an authors argumentYou want to highlight particularly eloquent or powerful phrases or passagesYou are comparing and contrasting specific points of viewYou want to note the important research that precedes your ownCarol Rohrbach and Joyce Valenza

120ParaphrasingParaphrasing means rephrasing the words of an author, putting his/her thoughts in your own words. When you paraphrase, you rework the sources ideas, words, phrases, and sentence structures with your own. Like quotations, paraphrased material must be followed with in-text documentation and cited on your Works-Cited page.

Paraphrase when:You plan to use information on your note cards and wish to avoid plagiarizing You want to avoid overusing quotationsYou want to use your own voice to present informationCarol Rohrbach and Joyce Valenza121SummarizingSummarizing involves putting the main idea(s) of one or several writers into your own words, including only the main point(s). Summaries are significantly shorter than the original and take a broad overview of the source material. Again, it is necessary to attribute summarized ideas to their original sources.

Summarize when:

You want to establish background or offer an overview of a topicYou want to describe knowledge (from several sources) about a topicYou want to determine the main ideas of a single source

Carol Rohrbach and Joyce Valenza

122In-text documentationPurpose--to give immediate source information without interrupting the flow of paper or project. Inaccurate documentation is as bad as having no documentation at all. In-text documentation should match full source information in Works Cited

123Use in-text documentation when:You use an idea from one of your sources, whether you quote or paraphrase it You summarize original ideas from one of your sources You use factual information that is not common knowledge You quote directly from a source You use a date or fact that might be disputed 124How do I cite using MLA style?In-text citations are usually placed at the end of a sentence, before the period, but they may be placed in the middle of sentenceCite:the author's last name and the page number, orthe title and the page number, orif you identify the author and title in the text, just list the page number125But, what about the Web? When citing a Web source in-text, you are not likely to have page numbers. Just include the first part of the entry.(Valenza)

or

(Plagiarism and the Web)125126Typical example: Slightly more than 73% of Happy High School students reported plagiarizing papers sometime in their high school careers (Smith 203).

Smith, J. High School Students Come Clean. Chicago: Beacon Press, 2001.

127Works CitedBoston Columnist Resigns Amid New Plagiarism Charges. CNN.com 19 Aug. 1998 3 March 2003 Fain, Margaret. Internet Paper Mills. Kimbal Library. 12 Feb. 2003. Lathrop, Ann and Kathleen Foss. Student Cheating and Plagiarism in the Internet Era. Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited, 2000.Lewis, Mark. Doris Kearns Goodwin And The Credibility Gap. Forbes.com 2 Feb. 2002. New York Times Exposes Fraud of own Reporter. ABC News Online. 12 May, 2003.Sabato, Larry J. Joseph Biden's Plagiarism; Michael Dukakis's 'Attack Video' 1988. Washington Post Online. 1998. 3 March 2002. Works CitedSmith, J. High School Students Come Clean. Chicago: Beacon Press, 2001.

Works CitedCreditshttp://www.word-mart.com/html/paraphrasing_versus_summarizin.htmlWhat is Plagiarism. Montgomery County Intermediate Unit 3 Sept. 03 2 Dec 04.

131What is Plagiarism. Montgomery County Intermediate Unit 3 Sept. 03 2 Dec 04. This presentation has been brought to you by: