1. Developing a Thesis ?? ?? ?? ? ? ?? ?? ?? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

2. The Thesis The thesis statement is the single most important aspect of your paper; it is, essentially, the justification for its very existence.

3. The Framework for Your Paper A good thesis serves as the blue print or plan for your paper The thesis can be broken down into sections of your paper

4. Our Broad Topic Horror Films

5. Narrow Our Topic Horror films today versus those of the past

6. Our Research Questions How do horror films today differ from those of the past? How has the production process changed? And how has that impacted the quality or effect of the films? Do today’s films have a greater impact on audiences? In what ways are they different from the films of the 40’s and 50’s?

7. A research question addresses an issue, problem, or controversy and is answered with a conclusion, otherwise known as a thesis. The thesis is based on an analysis and interpretation of information and materials. Without a sound research question you may end up with merely an informative report. NO!! We do not want that from you!

8. A thesis statement declares what you believe and what you intend to support or prove.

9. Despite their high-tech special effects, today's graphically violent horror movies do not convey the creative use of cinematography or the emotional impact that we saw in the classic horror films of the 1940s and 50s.

10. Consider the paper you read... “Talking about ‘Tribe’: Moving from Stereotypes to Analysis”

11. Anyone concerned with truth and accuracy should avoid the term “tribe” in characterizing African ethnic groups or cultures.

12. A thesis statement declares what you believe and what you intend to support or prove.

13. Anyone concerned with truth and accuracy should avoid the term “tribe” in characterizing African ethnic groups or cultures because clearing away this stereotype is necessary to understand the diversity and richness of African realities.

14. What was (were) the research question(s)?

15. More to consider...

16. For political, economic, social and cultural reasons, communism collapsed in Eastern Europe.

17. Communism collapsed in Eastern Europe because of the ruling elite's inability to address the economic concerns of the people.

18. While cultural forces contributed to the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe, the disintegration of economies played the key role in driving its decline.

19. Conflict in Darfur Who is involved in the conflict and why? What are the causes of the conflict and what is being done to bring peace? When did the fighting begin and what were the historical, political, cultural conditions? Why is the conflict continuing? Who is trying to bring peace to the region and will they be successful? How is world-wide intervention affecting the crisis?

20. The answer to your question becomes your thesis... The conflict in Darfur is fueled by ____________, ____________ and _____________, and hope for peace rests within _____________ and _____________________. When you fill in the blanks, this sentence will become your “working thesis.”

21. Formula for a Strong Thesis Specific topic + Attitude/Angle/Argument + A little tension = THESIS