Paper Writing

1
Paper Writing

• Proper Format

2
Before You Write

• What type of essay are you writing?
• Research
• Analytical (Critical Thinking)
• Opinion
• Combination
• What is your thesis question?
• What are you going to argue?
• What is the purpose of writing this essay?
• How specific or general is the thesis question?

3
Before You Write Contd

• Creating an outline
• Should have your thesis statement
• Three main arguments
• Supporting points for each of the arguments

4
Writing Your Thesis Statement

• Definition
• A thesis is a statement of the main idea of an
  essay or paper. The thesis is usually stated in
  the opening paragraph, and the topic sentence of
  each paragraph that follows enlarges upon or
  supports the idea it expresses.
• A good thesis statement should do the following
• Be specific
• Take a stand
• Express a main idea about a subject

5
Examples

• Bad Thesis Statements
• At one point in our evolution we stood up
• Slavery affected the Americas in negative and
  positive ways.
• Kennedy handled the Cuban Missile Crisis well.
• The fur trade was an important industry in
  Canada.
• The Roman Empire fell in 476 A.D.

• Good Thesis Statements
• The ability to walk upright was the defining
  moment in the origin of our human species.
• Slavery affected the Americas politically,
  economically, socially and culturally.
• President Kennedys handling of the Cuban Missile
  Crisis was a successful political move.
• The fur trade was a key element in the
  development of Canada as a nation.
• The Western Roman Empire collapsed as a result of
  poor leadership, mercenaries and the rise of
  Christianity.

6
Writing the Essay

• Introduction
• Attracting the readings attention
• Introduce the topic
• Thesis statement- Underline Thesis
• Things not to do
• Do not say In this paper I will or The
  purpose of this essay
• Do not use a dictionary or encyclopedia
  definition to start your essay.
• Body of the Essay
• Three main arguments
• Supporting points
• Transition Sentences
• Conclusion
• Summarize main points
• Restate your thesis
• Bring closure to paper (wrap-up sentence)

7
Citing

• When to cite
• Direct quotes or paraphrasing
• Two for each argument
• Support your main argument
• How to cite
• APA format (sheet provided)
• Quotation marks only around direct quotes
• (Author, Year, Page)

8
Finishing Your Essay

• Editing
• Should have rough and good copies
• Reread, edit yourself first
• Have someone else read over your paper (edit)
• Finishing Touches
• Make sure to have a reference page
• Title page
• Remember the small things double-space, indent
  paragraphs, number pages, etc.