The statement of research question and tentative thesis should be a relatively short (one paragraph to one page) statement of your intended paper topic.  The statement of research question should be phrased as a specific question, i.e., “What effects do the WTO have on growth in developing economies” rather than “I want to talk about trade and development.”  Phrasing your topic as a question will help you to generate a more focused analysis, and therefore a better paper.  Try to choose a question that you can reasonably address in a 3,000-word paper.

        Following this question, note your tentative thesis, discuss briefly what kind of evidence you think you will need to find in order to answer the question.

        Once you have submitted your statement of research question, you will be expected to submit a final paper on the same question unless you submit a new statement, and have the new statement approved by the instructor.