A Business Case Definition: Documentation detailing the requirements to move an idea from conceptualization to project initiation. Write your research paper on one of the attached topics. Select at least one problem area and research different systems so

Sample Outline (Main Pages)

Beginning Introduction	Hook Explanation of Issue Thesis/Position
Refutation	State argument Explanation Evidence/Analysis
Ending (Conclusion)	Restate thesis in a new way Bring things to a solid close/Give your reader something to think about.

I. Introduction Paragraph – Set up Your Claim

Your introductory paragraph sets the stage or the context for the position for which you are presenting the issue. The introduction should include a thesis statement that provides your claim (what you are presenting) and the reasons for your position on an issue.

Your thesis:

· states what your position on an issue is

· usually appears at the beginning or ending of the introduction in a research paper

· should be clearly stated and should contain emphatic language (should, ought, must)

II. Body of your Argument – Support Your Claim

A. Background Information – Lays the foundation for proving your argument (issue)

This section of your paper provides the basic information that the reader needs to understand your position.

B. Reasons or Evidence to Support your Claim

All evidence you present in this section should support your position. This is the focus of your research paper. Generally, you begin with a statement that you back up with specific details or examples. Make sure to connect the evidence to the claim. The reader should be able to see that there is a logical, persuasive connection between the claim, reasons, and data (evidence). Depending on how long your argument is, you will need to devote one to two well-developed paragraphs to each reason/claim or type of evidence regarding the issue.

Sample format for Supporting Evidence Paragraph

· Topic Sentence: What is one item, fact, detail, or example you can tell your readers that will help them better understand your claim/paper topic? Your answer should be the topic sentence for this paragraph.

· Introduction Evidence: Introduce your evidence in a few words (As Dr. Brown states…) or in a full sentence (To understand this issue. We first need to look at statistics).

· State Evidence: What supporting evidence (reasons, examples, facts, statistics, and/or quotations) can you include to prove/support/explain your topic sentence?

· Explain Evidence: How should we read or interpret the evidence you are providing us? How does this evidence prove the point you are trying to make in this paragraph? Can be opinion base and is often at least 1-3 sentences.

· Concluding/Transitional sentences(s): End your paragraph with a concluding sentence that reasserts how the topic sentence of this paragraph helps up better understand and/or provide your paper’s overall claim and how it transitions to the next idea.

III. Addressing the Opposite Side - Refute the Objections

Any well-written argument (research) must anticipate and address positons in opposition to the one being argued. Pointing out what your opposition is likely to say in response to your argument establishes that you have thought critically about your research. Addressing opposite side actually makes your research stronger! Generally, this takes the form of a paragraph that can be placed either after the introduction or before the conclusion. Often this is phrased as an opposing view and the refutation to the view.

Sample Format for Supporting Evidence Paragraph

· Introduce the Counterargument - this could be one or more arguments against your thesis (position)

· State the Evidence – what evidence is provided in the text(s)

· Refute the Evidence – argue against the evidence and why the stance that you have selected is the better supported

· Concluding/Transitional Sentence(S) – end the paragraph with information that reasserts your position as a whole.

IV. Conclusion

The conclusion should bring the essay to a logical end. However your conclusion should not simply restate your introductory paragraph. Your conclusion should explain what the importance of your issue is in a larger context. Your conclusion should also reiterate why your topic is worth caring about. Some arguments propose solutions or make prediction on the future of the topic.