Research as Geography PROMPTS TO AID YOU DISCOVERING YOUR RESEARCH QUESTION

Important definitions: Topic: A subject in which you are interested Issue: A situation that has become the subject of discussion and possibly disagreement Question: The specific focus of our curiosity, confusion, and search for knowledge

Objective:  On February 1, you must to me an Inquiry Map.  Your Inquiry Map is:  A question relating to “America,” “The American Dream,” or “What Americans value” that interests you and you would like to learn more about.  A succinct but insightful statement about why you would like to pursue that topic.  Today, you will use the writing process to discover a question meaningful to you that will begin your research.

Write continuously about the following questions for five minutes each:

Question 1 What issues do you discuss most with friends and family? 5 minutes

Question 2 In what issues do you feel most emotionally involved? What issues, when you discuss them, inspire strong feelings? 5 minutes

Question 3 Is there an issue in your community (where you live, however you define that place) that is currently having a major impact? 5 minutes

Question 4 If you have an intended career, what do you think are the major issues people in that field think about? 5 minutes

Question 5 Are there issues of social justice and human rights about which you are passionate? 5 minutes

Question 6 Are there regional issues affecting New Haven, Connecticut, or New England that interest you? 5 minutes

Question 7 What national issues concern you? 5 minutes

Question 8 What international issues are important to you? Questions taken from Michael Stancliff and Maureen Daly Goggin’s “Research as Creative Practice: Two Metaphors for Teaching and Learning” English Journal, Nov minutes