Assignment Instructions

Writing Your Thesis Statement

Good writing has a clear focus. It identifies a certain part of a topic. A thesis statement brings a clear focus to the topic.

THESIS STATEMENT: A sentence that gives the main idea of an essay.

Remember this formula to help you write your thesis statement:

An interesting subject + special part to emphasize = A thesis statement

Example:

The study of hurricanes + How they form, move and cause destruction = Scientists are studying how hurricanes form, move and cause destruction.

Starting Your Research Report

Introduction:

The opening paragraph should grab your reader's interest, introduce your topic and state your thesis sentence.

Techniques to Begin a Piece of Writing:

A thought-provoking question to make the reader wonder.
A list of main points to introduce the topic in a serious, logical and straight-forward manner.
A dramatic, sweeping, or eye-opening statement.
A quotation from an expert.

Developing the Body of Your Report

Once you have the reader's attention and stated your thesis statement, you can begin writing the middle paragraphs.

Each middle paragraph should have a topic sentence covering one main idea. A topic sentence expresses the main idea of the paragraph. It tells what all other sentences in the paragraph are about. The topic sentence is often the first sentence in the paragraph.

Criteria:

Make sure all the details support the topic sentence.
Organize the details by logical order or categories. It is a great idea to use your outline to help organize the paragraphs.
Arrange the sentences so that the reader clearly understands the main idea.

Ending Your Research Report

Your ending paragraph should bring your report to a thoughful close. Try one of the following idea in your closing paragraph:

Remind the reader about your thesis of the report.
Tell one last interesting fact about the topic.
Make a final observation about the topic.

Creating a Bibliography Page

As you write, remember to give credit to the sources of information that you quote directly or paraphrase.

1. Write your sources using the APA guidelnes as shown on the Bibliography page.

2. Alphabatize your sources.

Creating a Title Page

Take pride in your work. Make sure you have a simple, yet neat Title Page.

Format:

1. Center the title one-third of the way down fromt he top of the page.

2. Go two-thirds of the way down and include the following:

Center your full name.
Your teacher's name
Class name and hour
The date

Publishing Your Report

After working so hard to write your report, you need to submit a neat looking final copy.

Using the following guidelines to format your report:

Typed:

Black or blue ink only
Double-spaced
Appropriate font- NO all-caps, script, or bold
Indent every paragraph and leave a 1" margin on all four sides.
Write your last name and page # in the upper right corner of every page of your report.

Handwritten:

Black or blue ink only.
Double-spaced
Indent every paragraph
Write your last name and page # in the upper right hand corner of every page of your report.
Only write on the front side of the paper.

Order of report:

1. Title page

2. Research paper

3. Bibliography

4. Grading Rubric

Reports may be stapled, put in a report cover or put in a folder.

Grading Rubric

1. Turned in on time (10 points)
2. Topic- relevent, informative, accurate and clear (20 points)
3. Title Page (10 points)
4. Thesis Statement (5 points)
5. Introduction- hooks the reader (5 points)
6. Body- interesting, informative (20 points)
7. Conclusion- thoughful closing (5 points)
8. Bibliography- cited correctly, alpha order (10 points)
9. Presentation- final copy (5 points)
10. Conventions- grammar, spelling (10 points)

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