Define the Task
If your task is defined in the assignment:
Read the task carefully and break it down into parts, if necessary.
Define any words or terms you don't know or understand. Find synonyms, antonyms and associations.
Contemplate what you already know: review any relevant sources of information your teacher has already provided: textbook chapters, articles, websites, notes from class discussions.
If you need to develop a thesis statement:
This will require you to pre-search.
Again, contemplate what you already know about the topic and all of the resources you've gotten in class.
Then seek out at least three print and digital sources about your topic to help you narrow your topic to an area of interest and develop a question to investigate.
For example: Within the TOPIC of "college sports," the QUESTION, "Should college athletes be financially compensated for playing their sport?" might be of interest.
A good thesis statement is focused and debatable. It won't be proven simply with facts. The facts will require explanation and analysis to prove the thesis.
For example: "What were the causes of the Civil War?" can be answered by creating a list. "Which of the major causes of the Civil War was most important?" requires a researcher to come to a conclusion through research and analysis of information.