听力考试

 presents an original approach to some academic topic, organized arounda central thesis,

 using insights based on research, and  citing sources in a scholarly fashion. 1. An academic topic is a topic studied in schools by university professors and by scholars, around which a discipline and a body of literature have grown up.

An original approach means that a research paper doesn’t just repeat information from other sources.

2. Your central thesis is the main idea that anchors your paper. It states what you most want to say about the topic.

3. Research mean reading and study of various kinds of evidence, mainly but not exclusively drawn from written materials. Research may be based on… printed materials:  books

 scholarly journals  magazines  newspapers

written materials that are not printed:  unpublished diaries  court records  government records

 notes of a scientist or a reporter Spoken materials:  face-to-face interview

 recording of a speech, lecture, concert, broadcast Visual materials:  photographs  drawings

 paintings(or other works of art)  maps  diagrams  graphs  tables

Digital documents from:

 the Internet, including—web pages, digitized books and articles, online publications, blogs

4. Scholars are people who practice the arts of scholarship. They build newknowledge by analyzing and learning from what others have doe and adding fresh insights to it. Length of a typical research paper: 10-15 double-spaced pages, 3000-5000 words. 02：From Subject to Thesis

Four key element：  subject  topic  question  thesis

1. subject: a very broad category – a general area of interest – usually assigned by your teacher

2. topic: more specific focus within the general subject – developed by the student-- the narrower, the better

3. questions: the best topics are built around intriguing questions

4. thesis: states what you want to say about the topic – your conclusion based on your research and thought

For example:

 Subject: Abraham Lincoln

 Topic: Lincoln’s Views on slavery; The Political Tactic That Lincoln Employed; Lincoln’s Marriage

Does your research paper describe a topic area that can be covered adequately and interestingly in just 10-15pages?

 Question: How did Lincoln, an obscure politician from the Midwest, win the crucial 1860 election against better known competitors?

 Thesis: Lincoln was elected in 1860 because his ambiguous position on slavery attracted support from various groups who didn’t necessarily agree with one another. A strong thesis can usually be stated in a single sentence.

The sentence that states your thesis may or not actually appear in your final paper. 03：A Good Research Topic&a Working Thesis A good topic:

 is not merely a narrative,

( The Life of Charles Darwin - too broad! Doesn’t lend itself to analysis!

How Darwin’s Study of Finches in the Galapagos Islands Influenced His theoryofEvolution – provide an analysis – your own opinions and ideas!)  is not too broad,

( Symbolism in Moby Dick – too broad!

The symbol of the White Whale in Moby Dick; The symbol of Captain Ahab’s Wound – always choose a narrower topic!)  is not too narrow,

( The Biblical Meaning of Captain Ahab’s name- not enough material! The Character of Captain Ahab – works better!)  has research sources,

(books, articles, relevant materials

 Evidence of Early Humans in our Home Town – hard to find info about Evidence of

Early Humans in Our Home State (or Region) - feasible) has not been overdone

( What is Natural Selection? – overdone

How Did the Writings of Malthus Influence Darwin’s idea of Natural Selection? -----better)  interests you. A good working thesis:

1. It can be stated in a single clear sentence. 2. It is a positive, non-obvious statement. Example: Paper about Malcolm X (American History or Black Studies), background reading might include his autobiography

 Malcolm X’s changing attitudes toward racial integration. – Not a thesis – not stated in the form of a sentence

Malcolm X’s attitudes towards racial integration became more positive during the last six months of his life.

 As a leading figure in African American history, Malcolm X’s racial attitudes nave importance for all Americans. – too obvious

The racial attitudes of Malcolm X were profoundly influential among African Americans during his lifetime.

 Had Malcolm X lived, his attitudes towards racial integration would have changed dramatically. – can’t be tested

Some of Malcolm X’s leading followers have distorted his racial attitudes. 04：Types of Plagiarism What is a research paper?