1. Research Paper Writing Topic/Thesis

2. Pick your topic! The first thing you must do is choose a topic. Please tell me before you leave TODAY what your topic is. It should be something you can research. It should be argumentative. You must have an opinion on it! If you see both sides, pick another topic where you are on ONE side Be sure you can actually research it! Ex: Skateboarding is fun. Can you PROVE that? It may be true, but is there research?

3. Thesis A thesis statement is what your whole paper is about. You should state your topic and which side you are on. You should also state how you will persuade your reader. Remember: It’s a statement. One sentence Not a question Not a quote

4. Formula TOPIC/ARGUMENT because REASON 1, REASON 2, AND REASON 3.

5. How do you know if you have a strong thesis? A strong thesis : expresses one main idea. justifies discussion. takes some sort of stand. is specific.

6. Let’s practice with your topic! What might your thesis statement be?