Debatable Claims Gives Learning Plan 3 Research
Assignments
LP3.1 Assignment: Forming Your Research Question or Thesis Statement
Once you’ve received approval for your research topic from your professor, you must decide what question you’ll try to answer, or what argument you’ll try to prove in the course of presenting your research. IT is also time to begin to research your topic and develop your reference list.
You must develop a research question or thesis that can be addressed effectively in a 5-page paper. This video from ProQuest Research Companion, “Thesis Statements as Debatable Claims,” gives more information about thesis statements (and the questions they answer).
As you develop your thesis statement or research question, consider:
- Do you have a “burning question” about this topic? What is it?
- Do you already have a strong opinion about this topic? Do you want to “take a stand”?
What to Submit for this Assignment
For this assignment, choose one of these purposes and expand on it in more detail in 5-7 sentences. If you have a question, describe it and speculate about how you will answer it. If you have a strong opinion, state clearly what it is, and why you believe it to be true.
Below your paragraph, include 2-3 credible sources that you are considering including in your paper. Cite them in APA style. (For more information on finding credible sources, watch this.)
This assignment is worth 40 points and will be graded according to the scoring guide below:
Rating Scale | |
20-19 | Work meets or exceeds criterion at a high level of competence. |
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18-16 | Work reflects an understanding of criterion with minor misunderstandings/misconceptions. |
15-14 | Criterion partially met, but one or more important concepts/skills are missing or flawed. |
13-12 | Work reflects an attempt to meet criterion, but significant misunderstandings/misconceptions are apparent. |
11-0 | Criterion not met or work is absent. |
Criteria | |
1. | Student expanded on one of two purposes answering a question or making an argument in 5-7 sentences. |
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2. | Student submitted a list of 2 – 3 credible sources her paper may include. |