1. Stating the topic

Example topic: School uniforms

My topic is______________________________________________

2. Narrowing the topic

If you can, narrow your topic at this time. If you canít, thatís okay. Feel free to list more than one variation of your topic.

Examples of narrowed topics:

School uniforms in public schools.

School uniforms in suburban public schools.

School uniforms in SHS.

My narrowed topic(s) is(are)__________________________________________

3. Brainstorming the topic

Brainstorm all of the possible aspects or questions you can think of about your topic.

(Get a friend/peer/teacher/relative to help you---let your mind freely explore anything related to the topic. Be careful not to let your initial bias toward the topic get in the way of brainstorming.)

Example of brainstorming:

School uniforms in SHS

Why? Why not?
How?
Where? Under what circumstances?
Factors to consider?
Where has it worked? Where hasnít it worked and why?
What are the factors involved at SHS?
What kind?
Surveys: schools that have them, schools that donít, schools that have had them and dropped the idea, student opinion at SHS, teacher/administration opinion
Experts: studies, theories

4. Taking a stance/position about the narrowed topic

Take a stance or position. Are you for or against the topic/concept/practice?

Examples:

I am for school uniforms at SHS.
I am against school uniforms at SHS.
I donít know right now how I feel, but I am leaning towardÖ
I have no idea.

At this point, without the benefit of research, tap into your prior knowledge and brainstorm your reasons for being for or against the topic/ concept.

Or, brainstorm all the possible reasons (Use a t-chart) for and against (Keep this chart handy as you do your research because you can add reasons that you might not have thought about originally.)

Brainstorm reasons for and against:

For

Against

My position on my topic is:

As you move through this process, be sure to KEEP AN OPEN MIND TO NEW INFORMATION, PERSPECTIVES, AND RELATED ASPECTS OF THE TOPIC.

5. Forming a question

Now, decide on a question to guide your research.

Example: Would mandating school uniforms for all students at Springfield HS have beneficial effects for academics and the social environment?

6. Developing a tentative thesis

Thesis should pass the 5 tests:

Frame statement so it makes the reader ask, ìHowî or ìWhy?î
Avoid statements that no one will react to or that a reasonable reader will react to with a sarcastic ìNo kidding!î or ìWho cares?î
Avoid general words or phrases; avoid words that are too extreme.
Lead the reader towards your subtopics by choosing your words and phrases carefully.
Make sure that the development of the thesis is doable within the limits of the assignment.

Examples:

School uniforms are mandated clothing. (Fails tests #1,2óSo? No kidding!)

School uniforms are a bad idea. (Fails test #3óìbad ideaî))

Mandating school uniforms for students at Springfield High School will result in increased academic performance. (Passes all tests)

Even if mandating school uniforms at SHS does not result in higher academic performance, other benefits make it a good idea. (Passes all tests)

School uniforms at Springfield HS will kill creativity and individuality. (Fails test #3ó"will kill creativity and individuality of whom")

My tentative thesis is:_______________________________________________

Now, you are ready to research to find support for your tentative thesis. Remember, you can always modify your thesis according to what you find during your research, and you can even modify it during the process of drafting and revising your paper. However, your tentative thesis should now guide your research.

Developed by Carol H. Rohrbach (2002)

School District of Springfield Twp.

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