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 long (8 page minimum) research paper, using a minimum of 8 sources.

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

How do I come up with a Topic? First, consider some ways that people are treated unequally by the systems we trust to run our society and what we should do about it. Some examples might include noting that racial minorities have been racially profiled by police and arguing that we should end this practice completely nationwide or noting that we still have a wage gap between men and women and suggesting that we more strictly enforce laws meant to stop this sort of thing. Next, select one of the ideas that you’ve come up with, and write your own essay question. For example, “Should we require all police departments to end the practice of racial profiling?” 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 research question and thesis statement for each. Then, turn them in for approval on Thursday, circling the one that you would most like to write about.