Goals Understand why we develop academic research questions. Consider strategies for developing research questions. Begin formulating our own research questions.

Research Essay Research is “diligent and systematic inquiry or investigation into a subject in order to discover or revise facts, theories, applications, etc.” The main focus of an academic research paper is to develop a new argument, and a research paper will contain a literature review as one of its parts. In a research paper, you use the literature as a foundation and as support for a new insight that you contribute. The focus of a literature review, however, is to summarize and synthesize the arguments and ideas of others without adding new contributions. A lot of students summarize two

Research Qs are…. Something you want to know about your discipline, or about a specific area within your discipline. Not a topic, fragment, phrase, or sentence. It ends with a question mark! Clear and precisely stated. It is not too broad, nor is it too narrow. Open-ended, as opposed to closed. It cannot be answered in a sentence or phrase.

Identify a topic Make a list of all new media: Communications Technology(cell phones, text messaging), Social Media (Twitter, Facebook), Mediums (tv, Internet, Computers), Streaming services (Netflix, Hulu) Make a list of all civic or political issues: Partisanship, Gender, Race, Freedom, Capitalism, Education, (in)Equality, Class, Authority, Legal Systems

Example- part 1 New Media: Social media -> case focus on Facebook & Twitter Civil Issue: Activism online

Review Literature on Your Topic Have them make a list of these-> start w/ google get basic idea.

Example 2- Results of Research Twitter main platform for activism. Facebook means of sharing as well with trending feature Hashtag activism is mainly used for awareness Case studies include #blacklivesmatter and #ferguson Impact people beyond general area of living Still limited to scope of friends in page choices/search filters #6 Shows institutional bias of technology-> can only see through peers/information leaders intitally, unless activitely searching Illustrates authority and ways to undermine- collective over singular This research on the general assumptions of new media & activism shows biases, gives me opinions of people, and shows me the problem

Constructing the Question Consider the Rhetorical Modes which we all use to organize our ideas in speaking or writing. Comparison & Contrast Process Classification or Division Cause & Effect Problem & Solution Consider “Why? How? So what?” and “What if…?” for each of these modes. Make sure it answers so what?

Research Question How does social media alter the ways in which activists engage with the civil rights movement? Why does this extend impact the US beyond the activists themselves? How does this encourage greater involvement (or does it discourage)?

Make your question one that somebody else will want an answer to as well. They will be your AUDIENCE. Your PURPOSE is your reason for asking your question. The answer to your research question will be a complete statement expressed as a sentence – your THESIS. If you used a Rhetorical Mode to formulate your question, you should use that mode to ORGANIZE THE PARAGRAPHS of your paper (though you may certainly use other modes as you DEVELOP your ideas!) Most importantly, do not get discouraged or worried if you find your thesis or your beliefs changing – this is a natural part of the researching and writing processes!

Today Pick topics Do lit review briefly 15 mins Assemble results THEN write Research Q