Drafting a Thesis Statement There is a lot to keep in mind when you write a research project.

Drafting a Thesis Statement

There is a lot to keep in mind when you write a research project. You need to make sure you have a strong thesis, support it using a coherent structure, and incorporate information from outside sources with clear citations. Complete the following activities, which will test your understanding of what is required when you write a research project.

1.You want to turn your research question into a working thesis. Your research question is, "How are schools adapting to the use of new technology in the classroom?" Which of the following is the most promising working thesis?

A. Increased use of technology in schools has led to more effective student learning through interactive and online lessons.

B. New technology in the classroom includes multimedia presentations that appeal to all students.

C. High school students of twenty years ago did not generally use advanced technology in the classroom.

D. Schools are changing and growing and new forms of technology are really pushing the new trends in education.

2. Under which circumstances should you consider revising your thesis statement? Choose all that apply.

A. Evidence that contradicts your thesis is overwhelming.

B. The thesis is phrased as a statement rather than a question.

C. The information in your draft answers the research question differently than your thesis does.

D. You have accumulated so much evidence to support your thesis that you cannot decide which points to include.

3. What steps might you take if you find counterevidence, or evidence that undermines your thesis? Check all that apply.

A. Suppress all counterevidence and do not acknowledge it in your project.

B. Start a new project with new research questions and a fresh hypothesis.

C. Acknowledge the counterevidence and challenge its claims.

D. Revise your thesis or supporting points based on the counterevidence.

Organizing Your Ideas

Answer the following questions about organizing your ideas.

4. Order the following steps to reflect the process you should follow for organizing your ideas for your research project.

--Collect research materials, such as notes, photocopies, and office supplies.

--Create an outline of your project.

--Revise your thesis or do more research if your evidence is weak or inadequate.

--Review research notes to identify evidence that supports your thesis.

--List the reasons why you believe your thesis is valid.

5. In a sentence outline, each sentence in the outline will appear in the draft as a

A. topic sentence of a body paragraph.

B. point of evidence that supports a topic sentence.

C. question for the reader to consider.

D. refutation of a point of counterevidence.

6. When is the logical time to focus on and correct unclear sentences and errors in grammar, punctuation, and mechanics?

A. while writing first draft

B. after writing the outline

C. after revising first draft

D. after writing the final draft

Writing Responsibly Quiz

Review the "Writing Responsibly" guidelines for using sources responsibly:

"Writing Responsibly: Understanding and Representing the Entire Source"

Then consider how a writer could properly make use of the source below:

From How Much Is That Second Baseman in the Window? by Jack Almonte (p. 47)

At a glance, the numbers make the case that baseball's free agency era has been a disaster for fans. The average player salary in 1976 was approximately $50,000, by 2011 the average salary had risen to $3.1 million. Compared to that stratospheric climb, the increases in ticket prices seem positively reasonable: the average ticket price in 1976 was $3.45, by 2011 that average ticket was $26.91, an almost eight-fold increase. In this light, the relationship between baseball salaries and skyrocketing ticket prices seems ironclad.

However, this simple analysis doesn't tell the whole story. As author Neil DeMause points out, the sticker shock of the average salary and average ticket price increases is somewhat blunted when you factor in inflation (208). The 1976 average ticket price was $13.64 in 2011 dollars, and the 1976 average salary was close to $200,000, adjusted for inflation.

However, even that adjustment leaves ticket prices effectively doubling during the free agency era, and salaries increasing by more than 1,500 percent. Still, it would be a mistake to attribute ticket increases to player salaries alone. As DeMause noted, in the first twelve years of free agency, while inflation-adjusted salaries rose, inflation-adjusted ticket prices actually fell (209). This indicates other market forces at play.

The fact is that the free agent era has coincided with an explosion of money into the world of sports. The rise of cable television dramatically increased teams' broadcast revenues. The construction of new stadiums—80% of baseball's franchises play in facilities built since 1989—has helped spur increases in ticket prices, as the new facilities emphasize "premium" seats and luxury services over increasing seating capacity. Even in sports where player salaries are not an issue—such as top-level college football and basketball—ticket prices have increased dramatically. According to Seatgeek.com, the average price for a ticket to a Big 10 football game in 2010 was $145.

In the questions that follow, assume the statements in the questions are drafted by a writer who wishes to use the source in an essay. Identify any mistakes the writer has made in summarizing, paraphrasing, or quoting this source.

7. According to Almonte, "[T]he numbers make the case that baseball's free agency era has been a disaster for fans ... the relationship between baseball salaries and skyrocketing ticket prices seems ironclad."

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