Getting Started Research writing

What is research? An in-depth study of a topic of interest. Fueled by questions you want answered. Involves reading multiple sources to gather information.

Why research? Making informed decisions requires gathering information from multiple sources. What kind of big decisions have you made or will you make in the near future? How is research helpful when making these decisions? Why would you want to gather information from more than one place?

What do researchers do? Researchers begin with a simple wondering or curiosity. What are some of the big issues facing our society today? Do these issues have an easy solution? When published writers conduct research, they draw conclusions based on evidence. What is evidence? Why do we need evidence to support our ideas? Where do we find evidence?

Choosing a topic Look for issues which interest you, which arouse your curiosity or your passion. Consider your audience: What kinds of issues have we discussed in class? What would interest your peers? Consider your purpose: Issue Analysis studies an issue and proposes solutions. Persuasion takes a stand and defends against opposing points of view.

What’s the point? Writing is powerful – your voice counts! Questioning the world around you and writing for social change. Communicating a message, taking a stand and committing to a position. Make a point – a solution, recommendation or plan of action.

Topics Immigration Teen Depression Depression Racial stereotyping Drug Abuse Anxiety Disorders Hate Crimes Prison Overcrowding Global Warming Alcoholism Pollution/ all types Social Class Teen Pregnancy Homelessness in the U.S. American Dream Drugs in sports Factory Farming Animal Cruelty Teen Crimes Teen Dropouts Increasing Crime rate School Violence Anorexia/Bulimia Waste Disposal Blood Diamonds Domestic Violence Alzheimer's Sexual Identity Sexual Harassment Hunger Gay Rights Health Care for the poor/elderly Drunk Driving Lobbyists in Washington Autism War Against Drugs Education (low income kids) Hazing Renewable Energy Gender Equality Religion and War Steroids Hearing Impaired Gangs AIDS in Africa Terrorism Veterans of War Down’s Syndrome Divorce Literacy Affirmative Action Child Abuse Obesity

Let the questioning begin! Now that you have selected a topic of interest, it’s time to figure out where you want to go with your research. Fill Out your Topic Graphic Organizer: Fill in the columns with as much information as you can.

Thick and Thin Questions Thick Questions Answers are involved, complex and require research Make you think and wonder Why? What if? I wonder… How come? What happens when… Thin Questions Deal with specific facts Answers are short, easy and usually found directly in the text Where is? What is?

Example: American Jail System Know Overcrowded, high minority population, costs a lot of money, over half of prisoners return, lacking rehabilitation services, 3 strikes law, non-violent offenders (drug charges), poor living conditions, most offenders lack high school education. Want to Know Why are our prisons overcrowded? Do minorities commit more crimes or are they unfairly targeted? How is social class tied to crime? Would rehabilitation services be more cost effective? Do we spend more money on prisons than schools? How would education decrease crime?

Narrowing your focus Now it’s time to take your big topic and concentrate on one problem or issue. Use your questions from the previous activity to narrow your focus. What do your questions have in common? What part of the issue interests you the most? What needs to be changed? Why?

Example: Narrowing your Focus Jail system: What does it do? Rehabilitate or produce more criminals? Focus The jail system is ineffective because… Overpopulation, inadequate resources, doesn’t fix the problem Proposed solutions More behavior modification, more money to schools, get people out of poverty

Using thick questions to fuel your research A critical thinker is always asking questions to gain understanding. As you work through this process, continue to write down questions as they arise. Your research will seek to answer these questions. By always asking yourself why something is so, you gain a deeper understanding of your topic.

Review Research is a powerful tool to gain understanding, convey your opinion and make change happen. All researchers constantly ask questions and seek answers to those questions. Your research topic needs to be focused and manageable.