9th Grade Composition
Research Paper
Research Day 1: Drafting a Thesis & Supporting It
Step 1: Thesis Statement
Review your research from the weekend. Reflect on the reading that you completed and the notes that
you took and try to draft out an argument. Be as clear and concise as you can be. It’s OK to start with a
conversational declaration of what you want to argue. It takes MANY drafts to perfect a thesis
statement. See the examples of formal thesis statements below.
Take a look:
A thesis statement is:
• a single sentence stating your opinion on the research topic without using the phrase “I think.”
• an argument or idea you intend to support in your paper.
• ALWAYS a sentence and NEVER a question.
Thesis Checklist
• Is your thesis statement focused on a single limited topic?
• Is your thesis a clear direct sentence? (Does it make a STATEMENT?)
• Does your thesis convey your point of view or attitude about the topic without using “I think...”?
• Does the thesis suggest a pattern of development? (for example- compare/contrast, cause/effect,
argumentative, exemplification, division/classification)
Examples:
• Coretta Scott King (topic) achieved the American Dream by working hard, helping others, and becoming a
role model during the modern civil rights movement (opinion).
• The Vietnam War (topic) was a devastating event that cost over 58,000 soldiers their lives, destroyed much
of the beautiful country of Vietnam, and caused numerous anti-war movements in the U.S (specific feelings).
• Franklin Delano Roosevelt (topic) helped the United States both socially and economically to overcome the
Great Depression (specific feelings).
• Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X had different viewpoints (topics); however, they both changed the
course of history by fighting for civil rights (feeling).
DRAFT YOUR THESIS STATEMENT HERE:
STEP 2: Breaking Down Your Thesis
Write your formal thesis here and then break your thesis down. What are the sub-claims that you will need to
prove in order to prove your thesis.
Example:
Thesis: Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X had different viewpoints (topics); however, they both
changed the course of history by fighting for civil rights (feeling).
Sub Claims (or questions):
 What was MLK’s viewpoint?
 What was Malcolm X’s viewpoint?
 How did MLK change history by fighting for civil rights?
 How did Malcolm X change history by fighting for civil rights?
YOUR THESIS:
YOUR SUB CLAIMS (or questions):
STEP 3: Supporting Your Thesis
Determine whether or not you have enough evidence to effectively support each of your sub claims. What
facts do you still need to gather? What kinds of evidence do you still need to research in order to prove your
argument?
Sub Claim #1:
Source:
Evidence:
Analysis and Connection:
Evidence:
Analysis and Connection:
Sub Claim #2:
Source:
Sub Claim #3:
Source:
Evidence:
Analysis and Connection:
Evidence:
Analysis and Connection:
Sub Claim #4:
Source:
What other facts/statistics/information would be helpful for you to effectively prove your point? Find them
and record them here.