Gathering information
This is a really good website:
http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/Eval
uate.html
Thesis statement

It is a single sentence, usually in the first paragraph
of the paper, which

declares the position you are taking in your
paper,

sets up the way you will organize your
discussion, and

points to the conclusion you will draw.
Thesis statement
Outline
It helps you to...

stay on course and not get off-track when you
put your final product together.

see if you have enough (or too much) material
to support your Thesis Statement.

figure out the order in which your subtopics
will appear in your final product.
Outline
Writing your paper



Take out your outline and your note cards.
Before you begin writing, take some time to put all of your
note cards and borrowed material (pictures, etc.) in the order
they will appear in your project. You can use your outline as
a guide for this important step. You don't want to be
searching for these things as you are writing.
You will write your first paragraph about the first subtopic
in your outline. (Your introduction will be written later.)
Introduce that subtopic in the first sentence.
Writing your paper



The body of that paragraph will be more information about
the first subtopic and your evidence for why it supports your
thesis statement.
Use your note cards to get borrowed material (quotes,
statistics, etc) to use as evidence. You may also include
pictures here from other sources. Remember that you need
to cite all borrowed material immediately after you use it.
You will continue in this manner until you reach the
conclusion section of your outline.
Introduction



Write your introduction last-you introduce what you are
actually going to say.
Start with a couple of sentences that introduce your topic to
your reader. You do not have to give too much detailed
information (save that for the body of your paper). Make
these sentences as interesting as you can—hook your
readers
Then state your thesis, which may be done in one or more
sentences. The length of your introduction depends on the
length and complexity of your project, but generally it
should not exceed one page unless it is a very long project
or a book. The average length of an introduction is one half
a page.
Introduction
Example 1:
Teenagers in many American cities have been involved in more
gangs in the last five years than ever before. These gangs of
teens have been committing a lot of violent crimes. The victims
of these crimes are both gang members and people outside of
gangs. Many people do not want to travel to areas in our cities
because of the danger from this problem. For this terrible
situation to stop, it is going to take a combined effort on the
part of many people. Excellent, supervised after-school
programs, more jobs available for teens, and healthy family
relationships will go a long way towards ending this crisis in
our society.
Introduction
Example 2:
During the Middle Ages in Europe and the Middle East there was
much armed conflict between Christians and Muslims. Christians
called these conflicts the Crusades because they were fighting
under the sign of the cross to save the holy lands of the Bible
from being desecrated by non-Christians. However, the true
reason for fighting for these lands was less than holy. It was
mainly a desire for economic gain that prompted the
Christian leaders to send soldiers to fight in the Holy Land.
Conclusion

Conclude an essay with one or more of the
following:

Include a brief summary of the paper's main points.

Ask a provocative question.

Use a quotation.

Evoke a vivid image.

Call for some sort of action.

End with a warning.

Universalize (compare to other situations).

Suggest results or consequences
Conclusion
Example:
The problem of teen gang violence can be eliminated. It will,
however, take time, money, and a combined effort on the part
of many people. Organized, free, after-school programs such as:
sports teams and games; art, music, and drama activities;
internships in local area businesses and professional organizations;
and interesting volunteer activities in the community would help
engage teens in worthwhile pursuits outside of school hours. More
job opportunities for teens, especially those funded by state and
local programs, would offer income for teens as well as productive
work for the community. Outreach to families through schools,
community organizations, and places of worship would help
promote inter-generational activities that could improve family
closeness, helping teens to work on their problems at the family
level, instead of taking them to the streets. If these programs can be
implemented, we will surely see a decrease in teen gang activity
and safer streets and neighborhoods for us all.
Citing sources
Why?



It lets your reader know that you want to make clear to them
which are your ideas/words/pictures, etc. and which are someone
else's. If you do not cite your sources, you are committing
plagiarism (Plagiarism is an unlawful act in which you use
someone else's work as if it is your own. It can get you in big
trouble. Avoid it.).
It gives your Thesis Statement a lot more credibility because you
obviously didn't just make up what you are claiming. You did
your research!
Your reader can check the original source for more information
or for accuracy if they want to challenge you.
Citing Sources
When?






Direct quotations whether in written or oral formats (includes
stories, speeches, fiction and nonfiction)
Paraphrased quotations (these are quotes whose words you have
changed somewhat)
Statistical Data (numbers about things)
Images that are attributed to someone (includes cartoons, photos,
maps, artwork, computer graphics-but not free "clip art")
Song lyrics
Original ideas that are attributed to someone else, even if you put
them in your own words
Citing Sources
How?


At the end of the borrowed material, put in parentheses the
author's last name and the page(s) where the material is found
within the source.
Use the author's name in the text that you write and put the page
number(s) in parentheses at the end of the borrowed material.
Works Cited Page

Alphabetical

Goes at the end of your paper