The goal of topic development

is the

rough thesis statement.

Topic: Death Penalty

Research Question: Should the death penalty be outlawed?

Rough thesis: The death penalty should be outlawed.

Refined thesis:

The death penalty discriminates against race.

Select two or three topics Find introductory info on topic Create questions based on reading Develop a rough thesis

websitesYouTube

news articlesmovieslyrics

lecturesbooks

websitesYouTube

news articlesmovieslyrics

lecturesbooks

Read&

Think

Read&

Think

Cluster it

Classify it

Question it

Cluster it

Classify it

Question it

high schoolstudents

eatingdisorders

academicachievement

sexualorientation

datingissues

athletics

highschool

athletics

highschool

athletics

drug usedrug use

recruitmentrecruitment

hazinghazing

academicachievement

academicachievement

genderissuesgenderissues

Research Question:

Who uses drugs the most: athletes or non-athletes?

Rough thesis:

High school athletes consume more drugs than non-athletes.

Refined thesis:

High school athletes are less likely to use drugs than students who do not participate in sports.

Crime

Place: California Time period: 19th century Person/group: Native Americans Event/aspect: gold rush era Issue: how did the gold seekers

affectNative Americans?

Rough thesis:

Violence among the California gold seekers had a negative impact on Native Americans.

Topic: Interpersonal Dating Place: Time: Person/Group: Event/Aspect: Issue:

Cluster

Classify

Question

Cluster

Classify

Question

Begin with REPORTER-TYPE questions:

Who?What?Where?Why?How?

Topic: Internet

Place: U.S.Time: presentGroup: investorsAspect: online fraud

Who are the victims of internet fraud? Who tempts them?

Why do investors become victims of online scams?

How do these scams work? How do investors avoid them?

Iraq War

Select one or two topics Find introductory info on topic Create questions based on reading Develop a thesis

A thesis contains two parts:

topicopinion

assertion

conclusion

defense

attitude

Gun control reduces the crime rate.

Topic gun control

Assertion reduces the crime rate.

Picasso is one of the most influential artists of the 20th

century.

Topic Picasso

Conclusionis one of the most influential

artists of the 20th century.

Two basic types:

1. Argumentative

2. Informative

Gun control reduces the crime rate.

Picasso is one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.

During the 1960s, feminism was an important movement.

Feminism has been beneficial to women.

The mass extinction of the dinosaurs was caused by a huge asteroid colliding with the earth.

There are three major theories as to why dinosaurs became extinct.

A terminally ill patient has the right to refuse

medical treatment.

TV violence does not cause kids to act aggressively.

In most fairy tales, the monster is shown as a hideous creature with magical powers that must be destroyed.

A thesis contains two parts:

topicopinion

assertion

conclusion

defense

attitude

A thesis is not a statement of fact.

There are approximately 8,000 policemen working in New York City.

A thesis is not a promise or statement of purpose.

The purpose of this paper is to show how the U.S. economy works.

A thesis is not a a question.

Should adult pornography be censored?

a statement of fact a promise or statement of

purpose. a question.

Suicide is a serious problem.

There are too many plane collisions.

Blue is a better color than red.

Rough thesis: Global warming damages the earth.

Refined thesis: Many scientists say the use of fossil fuels contributes to global warming and could ultimately threaten the planet's future.

Rough thesis: Global warming damages the earth.

Refined thesis: Many scientists say the use of fossil fuels contributes to global warming and could ultimately threaten the planet's future.

Rough thesis: People should have their right to privacy.

Refined thesis: Individuals need to guard their right

to right privacy as computers make information gathering and retrieval increasingly easy.

Rough thesis: Stories about suicide cause people

to commit suicide.

Refined thesis: Televised news stories about suicide

trigger a significant rise in teen suicides.