EN 12 Web Companion
Print out the Research Plan to get started!
Stage 1: Define the Topic
State your thesis statement or topic. It may be helpful to state it as a question.
Don't have a thesis statement yet? That's okay! Through
the process of reading, research, and writing, you will ultimately
find your own perspective.
What are some characteristics of a thesis statement?
- A thesis statement draws an inference or makes a value judgment
(your own).
- A thesis statement should not restate obvious facts or plot
details.
- Some scholars have written thesis statements about Harry
Potter. Here's an example, written by Noel Chevalier, a professor
of English at the University of Regina, in Canada (listen to the
accompanying
podcast while reading it. Don't have iTunes? Download iTunes for free. Want to get RealPlayer? Download RealPlayer for free):
 Listen-iTunes
Listen-RealPlayer
"J.K. Rowling depicts magic as
a particular kind of science. In the Potter novels, she uses
magical science to underline that when the dominant discourse
of any society is power, control, and an ignorance of justice,
neither science nor magic can do anything to prevent evil
from penetrating and ultimately overwhelming it."
- Discovering your thesis is often an iterative and sometimes
convoluted process. Give yourself plenty of time and room to explore
and reflect. Below, you can find out how some of your Fairfield
University professors deal with the process of writing thesis
statements.
Writing a Thesis Statement--Faculty Interviews:
Visit the library's iTunesU page at www.fairfield.edu/itunesu
and click on DiMenna-Nyselius Library for more podcasts! Don't have iTunes? Download iTunes for free. Want to get RealPlayer? Download RealPlayer for free.
Helpful web links from...
For additional help, contact:
- A Reference Librarian
- The Writing Center
|
