Research Paper

Try to turn your topic into a question. So, for example, let's say you want to write about MLK Jr. and his biography. I don't want you to research and report facts - I want you to argue something - to make a claim, as our textbook explains. Ask something like, "How did MLK's early life in his church prepare him to use faith as a road to activism?" This question does a couple of important things:

1. It's very narrow and focused. I'm talking about his early life and his faith and that's it. Something that can be accomplished in an essay. Think about how many books are written about his life - you're not being asked to write a book! Just an short(ish) essay. So keep it focused.

2. The answer is something that will most likely be debatable. The answer to this question will become your thesis. An effective thesis has two parts: a topic and a debatable claim. We have to be able to answer with more than just yes or no because the entire body of your paper will be devoted to supporting that claim.

3. Asking a question allows us to break down our paper into parts. It's so much easier to write that way, in small bits that are easy to tackle. So your paper should look something like this:

I. Introduction that states my research question and/or thesis statement

II. King's early life biography

III. King's life of faith

IV. King's activism

V. Analysis of "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" and how faith and activism come together in this piece.

VI. Conclusion