At any time during the reading process you may develop your thesis, or controlling idea, which will determine not only the direction of the paper, but what notes are needed, even what further sources might be needed. Remember, the thesis is an assertion (or statement) that you are claiming to be true and which must be supported, in this case with research.
There are different types of thesis statements:
1.) Argumentative: if your thesis is an opinion
Basic Argumentative Thesis: “The entire college application process is flawed and needs to be overhauled to be valid.”
2.) Causal: If your thesis explains why a condition or problem exists
Basic Causal Thesis: “White collar crime has risen in America for a number of reasons, but primarily because of advances in the digital age and the lack of police manpower.”
3.) Evaluation: If your thesis evaluates which solution of many to a particular problem
Basic Evaluation Thesis: “The best alternative car engine to date is the gas/electric hybrid developed currently by several Japanese companies.”
4.) Compare/ Contrast: If your thesis compares or contrasts ideas, events, eras, or people
Basic Compare/contrast Thesis: “The communes of the 1840’s and the those of the 1960’s were similar both in why they formed and why they died out.”
The type of thesis that you have will determine the direction of your working outline…