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The Thesis Statement

The thesis statement is a reflection of the research question.
It gets to the point of your paper. 
It usually is the last line of your introductory paragraph.

FOR EXAMPLE 
If your topic is hybrid vehicles and global warming, a thesis statement may be "Hybrid and electric vehicles offer a positive solution to the environmental effects of global warming." This statement tells your reader to expect a paper about the benefits of hybrid and electric vehicles.

Research Question

The research question reflects the main point of the essay. 

Essentially, it asks: 

"What are you trying to prove?"

1. To write a research question, first, you must choose a general topic. 
2. Then, make a list of key terms that reflect this topic and narrow it to something manageable. 
3. Turn your narrowed topic into a question. 

FOR EXAMPLE
If your general topic is global warming, your narrower topic could be "the effect of hybrid and electric vehicles on global warming." Your research question would, then, be something like "How do hybrid and electric vehicles reduce the effects of global warming?" Your paper would include all the benefits of hybrid and electric vehicles with examples from the research article and news reports.

THE PROCESS
Take notes on articles that you find.  Look for specific terms that are used, key points and ideas, and/or names of important people that you can research later as you continue narrowing your research topic.

** Make sure to note where you found each piece of information (book, article, website, class lecture, etc.).  You will need this information when creating in-text and bibliographic citations. **