RESEARCH ESSAY

Thesis Statements

– A argumentative claim of 1-2 sentences which …

1) identifies the ethical problem, 2) communicates what is at stake, and 3) preferably, includes a call to action.

Decent Example: Automation is replacing human workers at an alarming rate; as a result, many people are losing jobs and cannot find new work.

Better Example w/ a Call to Action: Because corporations’ continual reliance on automation has cost many people their jobs, the use of automation in workplaces should be regulated to prevent further unemployment.

– The thesis should be at the end of your introduction.

– The thesis should not be too general.

Too General: Automation has negative consequences for many people. Too General: Automation is bad for the economy.

– Avoid abstractions like “bad,” “hurting,” “negative effects.”

– The thesis should not be too specific.

Too Specific: Kroger’s self-checkout machines in Denton County are taking jobs from high school students, preventing them from saving money; as a result, many Denton County teens will not be able to afford college.

Introductions – Your introduction should:

1) Clearly identify the ethical problem at hand, 2) draw the audience into the topic and convince them the problem deserves attention, 3) include a thesis statement.

– Strategies for opening your paper:

1) Begin with an anecdote – a true story that illustrates the ethical problem at hand. 2) Begin with a strong piece of evidence such as a startling statistic. 3) Begin with a meaningful quote from an expert, a glimpse into important research or their field of work as it relates to the problem. 4) Set up some important historical context. (Should be concise).