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What is the first thought that comes into
your mind when you hear the word
research?
What do you do when you first meet
someone?
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You engage in conversation
You usually ask questions using the 5 W’s
Research is the process of asking questions.
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You have the basic skills needed to be a good
researcher
Primary
 Involves generating new
ideas and information on
your own
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Conducting an experiment
Questionnaire
Interview
Secondary
 Involves gathering and
analyzing the results of
other people’s primary
research
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Choose your subject
Do preliminary research
Limit your subject to a specific topic
Find an angle and write a statement of controlling
purpose – thesis statement
Prepare a list of sources
Take notes
Organize notes into an outline
Write a first draft
Revise draft
Write final draft
Works Cited
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What is a thesis statement?
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tells the reader how you will interpret the subject or topic
tells the reader what to expect from the rest of the paper.
is an interpretation of a question or subject, not the subject
itself.
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The subject, or topic, of an essay might be Colonial times or the
American Revolution; a thesis must then offer a way to understand
the subject
makes a claim that others might dispute.
is usually a single sentence somewhere in your first
paragraph that presents your argument to the reader.
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The rest of the paper, the body of the essay, gathers and organizes
evidence that will persuade the reader of the logic of your
interpretation
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Yellow fever epidemic of 1793 was one of the worst epidemics in Philadelphia
history because of its mysterious cause, tenacious symptoms and economic
impact.
Dr. Benjamin Rush was one of the most famous doctors of the time because of
his medical experience, his use of controversial treatments and the lack of
publicity regarding his failures.
French doctors had the most effective treatment of yellow fever because of less
invasive procedures, knowledge of sanitary care and reliance on statistics of
success.
Greater success in fighting the war against yellow fever could have been
achieved through improved education of doctors, better hospitals, and
improving treatments.
Several factors and conditions contributed to the fact that the Free African
Society was the one and only group to step forward and offer its services during
the epidemic.