1. Research Outline Controversial Issue Benchmark Period 2

2. Preliminary Thesis Statement Determine what you will be arguing/proving in your research paper Make sure that your thesis statement is one sentence Make sure it is not just informational or a how- to thesis statement

3. Research Questions Create a bulleted list of questions Should be 6-8 big questions that you have about your topic before you start your research These questions should help you prove your thesis statement Questions should include the background, history, both sides of the argument, effects, causes, symptoms, who, how, etc. Think of your higher level thinking questions

4. Research Outline I.One bulleted question from your list A. Possible answer to Roman numeral question? (there is a question mark after these because they are possible answers) B. Possible answer? C. Possible answer? II.Second bulleted question from list A. Possible answer? B. Possible answer? III.Third bulleted question from list IV.Fourth V.Fifth VI.Sixth VII.Seventh VIII.Eighth

5. Purpose of Research Outline Use your research outline as a guide to start your research – look for answers to your questions about your thesis. Add to your outline once you start your research and you find more questions or answers to your questions. Revise thesis statement as you work through your research to refine it. This outline will help you once you start data cards and your outline for the paper.

6. Example of Thesis Statement Topic: Community Service Thesis: Seniors at Santa Fe High School should be required to contribute 25 hours of community service in order to graduate due to its benefit to society.

7. Example of Research Outline I.What are the benefits of providing community service for society, individuals & for oneself? A. Sense of purpose? B. Helping others? C. Contributing to community? II. How and why did community service efforts in the United States begin? III.Why are the economical effects of volunteering for community service on society? IV.What are the social effects?