Thoughtful research:
Moving beyond the topic!
So, what’s the big deal about research?
It’s just
another project!
Research is a real-life skill
Research projects are training grounds for adult
problem-solving and decision-making
• Which car should I buy and how much should
I pay?
• Which candidate will best represent my
interests?
• How can I convince my boss to accept my
proposal?
• How should we work together to rebuild Iraq?
• Who do I believe?
Always start with print!
 Non-fiction books are filtered for quality!
 Non-fiction books are written not only by subject
specialists, they are written by authors who know
the needs of their audience.
 It may take a year or two of research and editing
for an author to publish a book. Many web pages
are “thrown up” in a very short time period.
 Probably 90% of this library’s collection is NOT on
the Web.
 You may need to get up. It’s not all on the Web.
Process for developing the
thoughtful thesis
topic
questions
tentative
thesis
thesis
Why, a thesis?
• A thesis statement declares what you
intend to prove.
• A thesis gives your work focus.
• A good thesis statement makes the
difference between a thoughtful research
project and a simple retelling of facts.
• It makes the work worth doing!
I have a thesis. Where do I put it?
The thesis statement is typically
located at the end of your opening
paragraph. (The opening
paragraph serves to set the
context for the thesis.)
How do I know if I have a
solid tentative thesis?
What does a thesis look like?
2 Simple equations:
Specific topic + Attitude/Angle/Argument = Thesis
(or 3 Ts: Topic + ’Tude = Thesis)
What you plan to argue
+ How you plan to argue it
= Your thesis
Attributes of a good thesis:
Contestable—proposes an argument with
which people could reasonably disagree.
Provocative—takes a stand and justifies the
discussion you will present.
Coverable—could be adequately covered in
the format of the project assigned.
Specific and focused—proves a point without
discussing “everything in the world about …”
Provable—asserts your own conclusion based
on solid evidence.
Don’t rush your thesis!
 A good tentative thesis will help you focus your
search for information.
 You must do a lot of background reading before you
know enough about a subject to identify the key or
essential questions.
 You may not know how you stand on an issue until
you have examined the evidence.
 You will likely begin your research with a working,
preliminary or tentative thesis which you will
continue to refine until you are certain of where the
evidence leads.
Be flexible!
The evidence may lead you to a
conclusion you didn't
think you’d reach.
It is perfectly okay to
change your thesis!
How will you find a thesis?
As you read look for:
 Interesting contrasts or comparisons or
patterns emerging in the information
 Something about the topic that surprises you
 Ideas that make you wonder why?
 Priorities you can weigh
 Something an “expert” says that makes you
respond, “No way! That can’t be right!” or
“Yes, absolutely. I agree!”
Try these five tests on your own tentative thesis:
1. Does the thesis inspire a reasonable reader to ask,
“How?” or “Why?”
2. Would a reasonable reader NOT respond with “Duh!”
or “So what?” or “Gee, no kidding!” or “Who cares?”
3. Does the thesis avoid general phrasing and/or
sweeping words such as “all” or “none” or “every”?
4. Does the thesis lead the reader toward the topic
sentences (the subtopics needed to prove the
thesis)?
5. Can the thesis be adequately developed in the
required length of the paper or project?
If you cannot answer “YES” to these questions, what changes
must you make in order for your thesis to pass these tests?
Are these good thesis statements?
(Use the five tests to decide.)
1. Terrorism should not happen.
2. The causes of the Civil War were economic, social,
and political.
3. The Simpsons represents the greatest animated
show in the history of television.
4. The Simpsons treats the issues of ethnicity, family
dynamics, and social issues effectively.
5. Often dismissed because it is animated, The
Simpsons treats the issue of ethnicity more
powerfully than did the critically praised All In The
Family.
Now you are ready!
Go forth and do powerful,
thoughtful research!
Remember, you are not alone. Check
frequently with your teacher-librarian
and classroom teacher for guidance!