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Step
2: Define the task
and prepare a working thesis.
[Big6
#1-Task Definition]
A research paper is really a long answer or a
series of answers to a questionthat a reader
may have about
a given topic. What question do you want to answer
about the topic you have chosen?
Sample questions like these will help you to
define your tasks:
·
Why was America isolationist after
World War I?
·
What role does anti-Semitism play in
Shakespeare’s plays?
·
Why are Japanese businesses so
successful?
·
What role does DNA analysis play in
criminal investigations?
After you have asked your question, phrase it in
the form of a focused statement that will allow you to use available information
to prove or substantiate it. When formulating your thesis,
use specific, concrete words. Your thesis does not need to be an absolute truth
but something that will provoke thought and can be proven by your research. We
can now make our research questions above into effective, focused thesis
statements.
Sample thesis statements:
·
America became isolationist after
World War I because economic prosperity at home led to apathy
towards foreign policy.
·
Shakespeare’s anti-Semitism is a
reflection of the time period in which he wrote.
·
Japanese businesses are very
successful because of the family atmosphere within the business and
a
strong work ethic within the Japanese culture.
· DNA
analysis will revolutionize the use of evidence in criminal trials.
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