Reading response

Beginning the

Research Essay This research essay is a conversation that takes place between you and your sources. That being said, think about the conversations you engage in on a daily basis and how they work. Usually someone begins the conversation and then people respond to the initial claim made -- they agree or disagree with what is said, they add to that point, they continue to carry the conversation to a new point. There is a lot of back and forth between the people in the conversation.

This is what you will do with your sources and how you will engage with them. As you conduct your research and read through sources, you want to collect examples/direct quotes that agree AND disagree with your point, that support your claim, that allow you to transition into a subtopic/new body paragraph.

The direct quotes you choose to include in your essay should be arguable. They should warrant a response from you or another one of your sources. Highlight arguable quotes found in your sources.

Now that we are in the second week of research, you should have a clearer idea of what you are looking for in your sources. You should know what the main focus of your essay will be and what ideas will be presented in your body paragraphs. Complete a Draft Outline to the best of your availability; this will allow for more focused research.

Your sources will not appear in your essay until after you state the thesis​. The first 1-2 pages of your essay will be all you. You will start this conversation: you will introduce your subculture and transition us into your argument. This allows for you to have control over the argument and the essay -- you decide which topics are discussed and which sources will add to this discussion.