Final answer:
The correct step is d) Formulating a thesis. This step is crucial for creating a research question or statement that provides direction and focus for the research paper and should be engaging and specific.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct option is D:
The step which involves forming a question to direct research and become the controlling idea of the paper is d) Formulating a thesis. When you formulate a thesis, you're crafting a question or a statement that guides the scope and direction of your research and writing. This process starts after selecting your topic and involves critical thinking and brainstorming to narrow down your focus to a specific idea that you're interested in exploring further.
A well-developed thesis statement will help you to stay on track throughout your research and drafting process. It will not only make your paper more organized but also ensure that it remains focused on the topic at hand. Remember that a thesis should be engaging, precise, and specific to present a clear viewpoint or to pose a question that your paper aims to answer or discuss.
When developing your thesis, consider whether it is intriguing enough to maintain interest and detailed enough to guide your investigation. By doing this, you ensure a coherent and well-thought-out research paper, essay, or report that conveys a clear argument or hypothesis.