1. 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.

2. Thesis Statement- Paragraph #1 Your 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?

3. 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 4 th

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. Begin With: Name- Uncle Joe Thomas Who- relation to you—occupation Start 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.

8. 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.

9. Paragraph #3 This 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 quotes Interview citation format according to MLA

10. Paragraph #4 This will be your (Student’s) experience as it relates to research topic Explain 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.

11. Paragraph #5 —Conclusion and reflective connection of all 3 paragraphs Start paragraph with a restatement of the thesis and move to generalizations.

12. Edit Edit your paper for Grammar: Run-ons, comma splices, caps, spelling, etc. Structure: 5 paragraph structure as outlined Content: 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.