Your research paper will consist of a universal

thematic statement that will be supported by The

Color of Water, an interview with a parent,

guardian, or mentor, and your own personal

experience.

Thesis Statement- Paragraph #1Your first paragraph will conclude with a

thesis statement that answers one of the following questions: Why is faith important in difficult times?Why are lessons learned the hard way

often the best lessons in life?Is it necessary for someone to question

in order to have true faith?Why is it sometimes difficult to deal

with a new freedom?Why is it so challenging for a person to

stick to his or her beliefs?

Research Plan--5 paragraph paper-2-3 pages long.-Using TCOW and interview as sources-Format: Para 1—Intro para; ends with thesis Para 2—Summary and tie in to TCOW as it

relates to research topic (2 quotes-in text citations)

Para 3—Parent experience as it relates to research topic (2 quotes- interview citation)

Para 4—Student experience as it relates to research topic

Para 5—Conclusion and reflective connection of all 3

-Turnitin.com- Rough Draft Due Friday, May 4th

Creating Interview Questions: Think about: which question interests you

- possible adults to interview: parent, grandparent, guardian, aunt, uncle, pastor, religious figure in your place of prayer. Other options must be approved by teacher.-Use the thesis question you want to write on to create questions for an interview. The goal of the interview is to help you get an adult perspective on the thesis question.

EX: Why are lessons learned the hard way often the best lessons in life?

My thesis statement:

The best lessons in life are often those learned the hard way because it is through making mistakes that people can truly understand the consequences of their actions.

Thesis: The best lessons in life are often those learned the hard way because it is through making mistakes that people can truly understand the consequences of their actions.

Ask your adult interviewee questions that will help you gain an understanding on how they dealt with learning something the hard way.

If you can ask questions that connect to your topic better, add those to your list.

The more questions you have, the more information you will have to put into your paper.

Questions that start with When…Why…What...How… will lead to more useful answers.

Begin With: Name- Uncle Joe ThomasWho- relation to you—occupationStart creating questions based on your research topic. You should have at least 10-15 questions for your interviewee. Add “Why”s and How did…. When did… as follow up questions.

Paragraph # 2 This will be a —Summary and tie in to

TCOW as it relates to the research topic (2 quotes-in text citations)

Explain parts of the story in The Color of Water relate to what you have chosen as a topic or thesis.

What parts of either Ruth’s life or James’ life can relate to your own experience? What examples can you find that relate to your paper?Pick two or 3 examples. Rephrase, or directly quote, but you have to cite

the reference you make to the text.

Paragraph #3This is where your interview will come in—

Interviewee experiences as it relates to research topic

Your paragraph will incorporate how the person you interviewed dealt with situations in their life as it applies to your research topic.

Need 2-3 quotesInterview citation format according to MLA

Paragraph #4This will be your (Student’s) experience as it

relates to research topicExplain how your experience relates to the

topic/thesis you have chosen. What examples of your life prove your thesis

statement?Pick two or 3 examples.

Paragraph #5

—Conclusion and reflective connection of all 3 paragraphs

Start paragraph with a restatement of the thesis and move to generalizations.

EditEdit your paper for

Grammar: Run-ons, comma splices, caps, spelling, etc.

Structure: 5 paragraph structure as outlinedContent: Does your paper make sense; did you

explain and prove your thesis? Vocabulary stepped up?

Citations: MLA citation for in text quotes or paraphrasing—Even if you restated, you still have to cite!!

Transition and Flow: overall feeling of paper. Is it choppy or does it read well.