Research
(Day One)
What is its purpose, and
how is it different
from other types of writing?
Purpose
There are various purposes for
researching a topic. For example,
You can persuade or explain.
 You can compare and contrast.
 You can analyze, interpret, or evaluate.
Your Purpose…
will be to explain
biographical
information
on a selected poet.
How is research different
from other types of writing?
After selecting your topic:
You must develop research questions.
 You must gather information from a variety
of sources to find answers to those
questions.
You must synthesize the information you gather with
your own evaluations and interpretations.
You must avoid plagiarism by citing the sources you use.
Terms to Review
THESIS: A single
declarative
sentence that
states the
controlling idea of
your paper. It is
usually the first or
last sentence of
your introductory
paragraph.
PARENTHETICAL
CITATION: Place the
quoted author’s name
and a page number in
parentheses after a
quote or idea that you
pulled directly from that
author’s work. Sometimes
you just place the page
number in parentheses.
Terms to Know
PRIMARY
SOURCE:
original,
first-hand
accounts that
can be used
as evidence of
what was
thought of or
said during a
specific time.
Examples include:
•Diaries
•Letters
•Art
•Interviews
•Speeches
•Photographs
•Newspapers
Terms to Know
SECONDARY
SOURCE: not
an original
account but
rather
someone’s
comments on
or analysis of
a primary
source
Examples include:
•History textbooks
•Biographies
•Movies of historical
events
•Stories written about
events
•Art*
Understanding the
difference between primary
and secondary sources can
be tricky. Did you notice
“art” was on both lists? Can
you explain how it could be
both a primary and
secondary source?
C.W. Jefferys
Could this piece of art
be used as a
primary document?
It is depicting an event
from 1690.
It was painted in the
late 1800s.
QuickTime™ and a
TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Research Project
 Pick a partner
Choose wisely. If a partner gets
ISS/OSS/ITI, you will both end
up working independently.
 Pick a poet
A list will be available for review.
 Develop at least eight
research questions
 Gather research from
at least two different
sources
An electronic database and an
Internet site* or a print source
*A Word of Caution
Not all Internet sources are reliable
Look for web addresses that end
with .org or .edu
Never use Wikipedia as a source
for educational research
Research
(Day Two)
Develop at least eight research
questions that will guide you as you
research your selected poet.
The questions cannot be “yes” or
“no” questions.
Sample Questions
 Did the poet have a hard childhood?
 What hardships did the poet experience during
childhood?
 Did the poet win any awards for his or her
poetry?
 What awards or recognition did the poet
receive?
Did you come up with these?
When and where was the poet born?
What was the poet’s level of education?
What was the poet’s marital and family status?
What event(s) influenced the poet’s desire to
write?
How many poems or books did the poet publish?
What is one of the poet’s most famous poems?
What is your favorite poem from the poet’s works?
When did the poet die?
Thesis Statement
Some people develop their thesis
statement before they do their
research.
Some people develop it after they do
their research.
Thesis Statement
Do’s and Don’ts
 Do use a declarative
sentence.
 Do allow your thesis
to sound confident.
 Do ensure you have
plenty of supporting
evidence to backup
your thesis.
X Don’t ask a question
as a thesis.
X Don’t use “hedge”
words such as
probably, might,
seems, or I think.
X Don’t give away your
conclusion in your
thesis. Support it
throughout your paper,
and then provide a
sense of closure at the
end.
Thesis statements to
avoid…
 The purpose of my paper is…
 In this paper, I will write about…
Try revising the following faulty thesis:
The purpose of my paper is to write about
how Langston Hughes helped to bring
attention to African-American artistic
movement of the 1920s.
Revise these faulty thesis
statements…
1.
2.
3.
It seems to me that Shel Silverstein is
probably one of the best-selling writers of
children’s poetry.
How does one event in a person’s life cause
them to become an award winning poet?
The purpose of my paper is to write about
how Maya Angelou is not only an
accomplished poet but also a multi-talented
director and performer.
Writing your thesis…
You have two choices:
Write you thesis now and use it as a
guide to the information you gather.
Write it after you have gathered your
information when you have a feel for
what will work as a controlling idea.