Worksheet #1: Developing a Thesis

Worksheet #1: Developing a Thesis

1. Formulate an issue questions (e.g., Where do I stand on this issue? What should ultimately be done with the issue? etc.);
2. State a claim (assertation part), which is your answer to the issue questions;
3. List the points to support your claim (position) on the issue. (These could be reasons, causes/effects, positive/negative sides of the issue, etc.). In the right column, state which materials from the selected articles will be synthesized to support this point and what kind of your own commentary you will provide.

Point #1:

• Synthesized material from one source:
• Your own commentary:
• Synthesized material from another source*:
• Your own commentary:

Point #2:

• Synthesized material from one source:
• Your own commentary:
• Synthesized material from another source*:
• Your own commentary:

Point #3**:

• Synthesized material from one source:
• Your own commentary:
• Synthesized material from another source*:
• Your own commentary:

* Note: The number of synthesized sources used in each paragraph will vary from one to three (depending on the paragraph’s content).  

** Note: The number of points is not limited to three.

4. Compose a thesis (claim + reasons)