ThE Research Paper

Choosing a Topic As your syllabus states, we will be writing a research paper for this class. This will essentially be a short (7 page minimum) research paper, using a minimum of 7 sources.

What is our Topic? For this assignment, you will choose your own topic based on our course theme (Poverty and Income Inequality).

How do I come up with a Topic? First, consider some of the dilemmas concerning economic class that our society has been debating. Some examples might include advocating for or against microloans, arguing for a specific remedy for the wage gap between men and women, or arguing for a specific strategy to narrow the income gap between the richest and the poorest in America. Next, select one of the ideas that you’ve come up with, and write your own essay question. For example, “Will making immigration standards more strict help more U.S. citizens obtain jobs?” Your thesis, then, would be the answer to this question.

What do I do once I think I have a topic? When you have a topic, the best thing to do would be to come up with a few more potential topics. Why should anyone do this? Students do this because if a topic doesn’t work out, they have alternate topics.

Activity: Do some brainstorming and write down three topics that you are thinking of doing for this assignment. Try to develop a thesis statement for each. Then, turn them in for approval, circling the one that you would most like to write about.