I have to write a research paper. My research paper is on Large corporations, such as Walmart and Home Depot, have been criticized for driving mom-and-pop shops out of business. Is this a valid criticism? Does the American public have some role to play? I need to narrow my topic and write a thesis statement. Could you please help me?

I'm not sure I understand your assignment.

Do you need to discuss the ethics of letting large companies drive smaller companies out of business?

Would large corporations versus small corporations be a good topic. Would this thesis statement be a good statement: Even though large corporationslike Wal-Mart are convenient to the public, they are driving the small mom-and-pop shops out of business.

Could you also help me with my introduction along with my thesis statement please.

Your thesis statement must include factual information (which you already have) plus your position/opinion/stance. Without your position on the topic, it isn't a true thesis statement. So think of this sentence as the angle you want to take on the topic and what you intend to prove by the end of your paper. (If your statement is simply factual, then there's nothing to prove!)

http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/thesistatement.html
This is one of the very best places I've seen online to help students write good thesis statements. It shows you sentences that aren't thesis statements and how to turn each one into real thesis statements.

Certainly! Narrowing down your topic and developing a thesis statement is an important step in writing a research paper. To do so, you need to consider the main arguments and evidence related to the topic. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you:

Step 1: Understand the topic:
- Large corporations driving mom-and-pop shops out of business is a common phenomenon.
- Walmart and Home Depot are prominent examples.
- The criticism suggests that the American public may have a role in this process.

Step 2: Research and gather information:
- Start by researching the history, impacts, and specific cases of large corporations affecting small businesses.
- Look for both supporting evidence and counterarguments to get a balanced perspective.
- Consider the economic, social, and cultural implications of this issue.

Step 3: Analyze the gathered information:
- Examine both sides of the argument. Ask yourself: Are there valid reasons to criticize large corporations? Are there counterarguments that dispute these criticisms?
- Consider the role of the American public. Are they consumers who benefit from low prices offered by large corporations? Do they have a moral responsibility to support small businesses?

Step 4: Develop a thesis statement:
- Based on your analysis, you can create a thesis statement that reflects your stance on the topic.
- For example, a thesis statement could be: "While large corporations like Walmart and Home Depot may contribute to the closure of some small businesses, the American public bears a substantial role in the survival of mom-and-pop shops through conscious consumer choices and community support."

Step 5: Outline your research paper:
- Once you have your thesis statement, you can structure your paper around it. Create an outline with main points and supporting arguments to provide a clear roadmap for your research paper.

Remember, this is just a general guide. Make sure to personalize your thesis statement and arguments based on the specific evidence you gather during your research. Good luck with your research paper!