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Writing 5
English Language Program
In creating a thesis statement for your paper, you must consider these
things. Does your thesis…
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Give a topic and a focus to your paper?
o Topic: cultural expectations of marriage, secondhand smoke, globalization, etc.
o Focus: answers when/where/why/how this topic is relevant to what/who,
o Focus: may give causes, effects, comparison of ideas, show process, make an
argument, etc.
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Give a clear and strong answer to a particular question?
o Are your words easy to understand by the reader?
o Can there be any doubt in the readers’ mind about what you will discuss in your
essay?
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Provide an overview of the subtopics you are going to discuss?*
o *Not always necessary, but gives a good starting organization to your paper!
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What has the phenomenon of globalization done for the
world?
In discussing this, you may consider:
o Positive and negative effects
o A timeline of events
o Predictions for the future
o A combination of these ideas
o Any focus that is logical for this topic!
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You will not use “I” in this paper!
You may use what your wrote in your journal as a
starting point 
Creating an outline is an important step to making a working thesis.
Open the Assignment #2 handout online to complete these things:
1.
2.
3.
4.
After determining the focus of your paper, outline the subtopics
you think you will discuss
Consider how you may find outside support (other information
from other sources) to support these subtopics
Search online or in the library for materials that can support
your subtopics. I expect at least one outside source for each
subtopic.
Note: you may change your outline or thesis after looking for
outside support for your ideas! 
This handout is due at the beginning of class on Wednesday. Please
bring your laptops!
Begin writing!
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Decide which ideas you will paraphrase from your outside
sources to include in your essay. There should be at least
one outside source in each body paragraph, and you
should include the name of the author and year for this
source. (Use internet resources to help you!)
o Note: quotations are permitted, but only one for the entire essay.
The majority of your words should be your own!
o Due Monday: a rough draft of your body paragraphs only (you may
write an introduction and conclusion if you want, but this is not
required)
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Finalize a thesis statement for your paper:
o Highlight your topic sentences and use these to help you form a thesis
o Be sure your thesis uses clear language and directly states the topic
and focus of your paper
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Choose a hook (quote, statistic, short story, etc.)
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Work on conclusion
o Restate thesis
o Summarize main points
o Include closing thought
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Check format of in-text citations