Sample Research Paragraph
Sample Research Paper Paragraph
At this point in your research, you should already have in mind the questions that you want to answer in your research paper. For example, if I were writing a research paper on cloning, I might want to answer these questions: 1) Why are people so afraid of genetic research and cloning? And 2) Why should genetic research and cloning research be allowed to progress? (You must take a clear stance on whatever issue you choose to write about.)
In answering those questions, I would form my thesis statement:
The fear of cloning is based unsubstantiated media hype found both in the news and pop-culture; therefore, this fear should not deter scientists from progressing with genetic research, which could prove to be extremely valuable.
My points supporting my thesis statement might look something like this:
1) Unfounded media hype in news and pop-culture has caused an irrational fear regarding cloning and genetic research.
2) Genetic research could cure diseases that are currently considered incurable.
3) Genetic research could lengthen the average human life span.
(Notice that although my thesis statement only explicitly lists my first point, my other two points are implied in the thesis statement. You do not have to list your points in your thesis statement, but your thesis statement should make your argument clear. Furthermore, you will probably need more than three points to support your argument.)
So, in my first body paragraph where I’m proving that media hype has caused an irrational fear regarding cloning, I might write something like this (note that topic sentence is highlighted in red, general proof is blue, specific proof is orange, and commentary is green):
The media must accept at least partial blame for the fear surrounding genetic research and cloning. Because various news outlets tend to sensationalize headlines in order to catch readers’ attention, the audience is often subjected to misleading information
At this point in your research, you should already have in mind the questions that you want to answer in your research paper. For example, if I were writing a research paper on cloning, I might want to answer these questions: 1) Why are people so afraid of genetic research and cloning? And 2) Why should genetic research and cloning research be allowed to progress? (You must take a clear stance on whatever issue you choose to write about.)
In answering those questions, I would form my thesis statement:
The fear of cloning is based unsubstantiated media hype found both in the news and pop-culture; therefore, this fear should not deter scientists from progressing with genetic research, which could prove to be extremely valuable.
My points supporting my thesis statement might look something like this:
1) Unfounded media hype in news and pop-culture has caused an irrational fear regarding cloning and genetic research.
2) Genetic research could cure diseases that are currently considered incurable.
3) Genetic research could lengthen the average human life span.
(Notice that although my thesis statement only explicitly lists my first point, my other two points are implied in the thesis statement. You do not have to list your points in your thesis statement, but your thesis statement should make your argument clear. Furthermore, you will probably need more than three points to support your argument.)
So, in my first body paragraph where I’m proving that media hype has caused an irrational fear regarding cloning, I might write something like this (note that topic sentence is highlighted in red, general proof is blue, specific proof is orange, and commentary is green):
The media must accept at least partial blame for the fear surrounding genetic research and cloning. Because various news outlets tend to sensationalize headlines in order to catch readers’ attention, the audience is often subjected to misleading information