For example, say this is what I did for my topic proposal:
EXAMPLE 1:
Topic: ISIS
Diagnosis: Too broad! There is waaaayyy too much to write about when it comes to ISIS. It would be too daunting to look at ISIS as a whole.
To help me focus my topic, I would answer these questions:
- What specifically about X (i.e. ISIS) do I want to explore?
- What is going on regarding X (ISIS) right now? What is the news saying about X? What are some new developments regarding X? New concerns? New issues?
Say to yourself: Okay, it's great that I want to look at something regarding ISIS, but what specifically about ISIS do I want to explore?
Next step: I do some research (like you are doing) and even look on Wikipedia and do a quick Google search, and then I come up with a specific question that will guide my research:
Specific question: What is the U.S.'s involvement in tightening its borders due to recent terrorist attacks?
·
THEN, after doing research on that specific question (which you will continue to research next week), my claim will most likely answer the question:
Claim question: “Should the U.S. tighten its
borders due to recent terrorist attacks?”
Finally, my claim will be either: "Yes because x, y and z." OR "No because x, y and z."
(Note: This is a very simple claim. Do not worry about the claim just yet. I am trying to show you the evolution of my thinking.)
Want another example? Here we go...
EXAMPLE #2:
Topic: Death Penalty
What about the death penalty?
Avoid arguing “Should the death penalty be legal?”
After doing some quick research on the death penalty,
this is what I found from Yahoo News:
·
In Georgia, an inmate was recently executed on
Tuesday, December 8, 2015. Records from previous executions show the legal drug
generally starts flowing within a minute or two when a warden leaves the
execution room. A newspaper reporter was allowed to be in the room when the
inmate was strapped to the gurney and the IV lines were placed. The reporter
noted how nurses appeared to have trouble placing the needle in his left arm,
and the process took about an hour, which is longer than usual. He was the
fifth inmate executed this year in Georgia, which is the most executions the
state has carried out in a calendar year since 1987.
Specific question:
Is Georgia’s current method of the death penalty inhumane and does it need to
be changed?
Claim: Yes/No because x, y and z.
Third time's the charm...
EXAMPLE #3:
Topic: Police Shootings
Specific Question: What can be done to support police but at the same time protect citizens' rights so they are not violated during police/pedestrian interactions?
Potential Claim: All police should have to wear body cameras as part of their uniform.
Last example :)...
Example #4:
Topic: Steroids in Baseball
Controversy: Currently there has been much controversy surrounding
steroids in baseball. From Roger
Clemens’ vehement denials to the congressional hearings, it seems that every
sports show or sports page in the nation is addressing this controversy. For this paper I plan to study this issue; I
will be looking at the controversy from multiple points of view: the players’,
coaches’, media, and fans’ perspectives.
Specific Question: Is there any place for anabolic steroids in professional sports?
Claim: There is no place for anabolic steroids in professional sports.
So, after all of this, what's the assignment??
Due Monday, December 14th
- Post on the blog the following (in this format):
- Your Topic: ____________________
- Controversy: In 2-3 sentences, write why this is so controversial and why it's a topic that needs to be looked at right now.
- Specific question(s) that will guide your research: ________________
(Example #4 is a good model to help you)
Once you post to the blog, we will spend some time in class looking at one another's topics and we'll help one another with them next week.
GOOD LUCK! I'M EXCITED TO SEE HOW YOUR THINKING HAS EVOLVED!
