Research Topics

Steps:

1. Post FOUR topics that interest you to your blog. If you have already done this, skip to the next step. Underneath each topic you should write 2-3 sentences for why you are interested in this topic.

2. Visit your classmates’ blogs. YOU SHOULD READ ALL (that means 19 total) OF YOUR CLASSMATES’ POSSIBLE TOPIC CHOICES POST. However, you need only comment on FOUR. Your comments should be thoughtful and insightful with the goal of helping your classmates’ narrow down their ideas. Please write 2-3 sentences per comment.

3. Evaluate the Possible Topics from your list using the following criteria:
Choose a topic with 2 sides. The purpose of your paper is to defend or refute a thesis which means the thesis must be debatable.

a. Check the scope of your thesis. Consider the length of the paper and whether or not you can do justice to the topic in that space. Think of this as your unique “angle” on the topic.
Too broad: simply stating that your topic is “gun control” is too broad. In a 6-8 page paper, you need to narrow the focus of gun control to something like “civilians should be allowed to own a firearm as long as they are put through an intensive background check.” This is manageable in the paper length assigned.
Too narrow: stating that your topic is “allowing criminals already convicted of a shooting to own firearms once they leave prison” is too narrow. You’ll end up trying to “find” things to write about in order to meet page length which is never a good thing.

4. Go back to your blog! Read over your classmates’ comments. Next, post a comment of your own (to the original topic choice blog) that evaluates each of your possible topics. You should write the topic, a sentence explaining the two sides of the debate (or noting that there aren’t two sides if that is the case), and the scope of your thesis (you do not have to know exactly what you would write about, but need to present your “angle” from above).

5. After this evaluation process, it’s decision time! Think about steps 1-4. Of your four topics which are you most interested in? Which received the most positive feedback from your classmates? Which came out as the strongest topic in step 3 & 4 – evaluation. These are some questions that will help you decide which topic to choose. Note: see my “pieces of advice at the end of this sheet.”

6. Once you have chosen your topic - Go online! Spend a few minutes doing some preliminary research on your topic. Please use the following sites:
http://scholar.google.com/
http://www.eric.ed.gov/ (click on “advanced search” and then check the box for “only show full text…”

Print an article from each (1-3 pages).

7. The final step is to turn in your topic choice. Please do so in the format attached to this paper. I will not accept a paper that does not fit the format and include the proper information. Please attach both articles.

Pieces of Advice:
1. Choose a subject that you are interested in, but do not get “in over your head.” Don’t choose something that is totally foreign to you.

2. Your goal is to objectively argue. If your position is too emotionally charged, choose a different topic. It’s impossible to argue you well if you can’t be objective.

3. Argument doesn’t mean a fight. Many topics don’t involve traditional debate but still have varying opinions.

4. Be unique! Don’t simply choose “pro-life” as a topic. Think outside the box!