Independent Project Writing

All of your independent portfolio projects must be accompanied by an analytical essay to be presented with your senior or junior portfolio. In order to accomplish this you need to define the thesis of your essay.

The thesis of your essay may be about the project or the subject of your project. For example, Shane would like to interview people about their different experiences in education. He could chose to write his essay about the small school movement in New York City while using some of his research in the paper. For example, asking teachers to compare their experiences between large schools and small schools might become part of his project. The thesis question of his essay might looks something like "Are small schools good for New York City students?" and his answer will depend on how his perspective develops through the research.

The paper is not meant to replace your project, but to help you gather facts, information, and ideas about your topic. For example, Kanisha wants to create a portfolio of modeling photos based on Tyra Banks. How could Kanisha develop her knowledge about the model turned talk show host? Her thesis question might be "How did Tyra Banks achieve success through the media?" Again, her answer, in the form of a thesis statement and supporting paragraphs of facts and opinions will help develop Kanisha's perspective on the subject of her project.

These are only suggestions and Kanisha might want to write about how Tyra became a model or write a general essay on modeling as a career using Tyra as an example. Shane might want to write his essay about how people experience educations in New York. The topics of your thesis questions should reflect your interests, but develop a deeper academic research connection.

Your holiday assignment is to really think about your thesis question by coming up with five different possible thesis questions. You must email me your list of thesis questions before class next Tuesday and list them in order of importance. I need to be able to respond to your thesis questions with feedback before you begin your research into the topic, and I need to know which one your are most interested in. It has to be a question that will allow you to conduct some basic research so that you may begin to form a coherent thesis statement and support it with facts and your own opinions.