Finding and Narrowing a Topic Unit 10: Research Strategies

Set a Goal and Brainstorm Possible Topics First, think about a few goals for your research. What is going to be the outcome of your research? In this case, it will be a research paper and a gallery walk presentation (you will share your notes from the research process and give info on your topic)

Guidelines for Choosing a Topic The topic should interest you. Sources for the topic should be easy to find. You should be able to discuss your topic in a few pages.

Learn About Potential Topics Good researchers do preliminary research, just like travelers who gather information about possible destinations. Today you will brainstorm three general topics (people for your list) that you might find interesting. You will want to do some preliminary research on each potential topic. Doing this preliminary research today will help you narrow down your topic and choose a final topic by Wednesday!

Cornell Notes As you do your preliminary research today, you will take notes on each potential topic by recording: Key Points/Ideas about the person General Notes Summary/Reflection on your notes on this person (Would he/she ultimately be a good choice for you?) Doing this preliminary research today will help you narrow down your topic and choose a final topic by Wednesday!

Narrowing a Topic A more specific topic is much easier to research than a broad topic. Your topic should be narrow enough to discuss in a few pages. If an entire book has been written on your topic, it is too broad for this assignment. You need to focus on one aspect of it. If preliminary research shows that it is too narrow, open it up a bit. Here is an example of a narrowed-down topic: Original Topic- too broad: The Civil War More Specific Topic: Drummer boys in the Civil War Even More Specific: What drummer boys did in the Civil War Too Specific: Whether drummer boys had music training