Writing the Modern Research Paper Part Three: Chapter 18 The Writer as Researcher

The Mission is to limit: 4 General Subject –Advertising 4 Topic –Ethics and Methods of Advertising 4 Sub-topic –Subliminal messages in advertising 4 Research Question –Should subliminal messages in advertising be banned?

Understanding the Difference between and finding a Research Subject and Topic: 4 The Research Topic: –A particular aspect of a larger field of knowledge. –Subject > Topic > Research Question > Thesis 4 To Understand Subjects –Check The Readers’ Guide –The Card (or Computer) Catalogue

Selecting an Appropriate Research Subject 4 Begin by considering several subject and topic: 4 Even assigned subjects require creative thinking. –Look for ways to make your approach different from your classmates. 4 Free Choice Subjects: –Begin thinking about this NOW.

Trying to Limit Yourself Through the Library: 4 Reviewing Your Interests 4 Record Subject Ideas Trying to Limit in Yourself 4 Encyclopedias 4 Current Books 4 Using the Index 4 The Readers’ Guide

What is the Readers’ Guide? 4 One of the indexes, and the best known, in which magazines are listed. –Publications for the Modern Language Association (PMLA) is also one. 4 Readers Guide emphasizes popular magazines (Time, Newsweek, Popular Mechanics) 4 Use to get an overview of a subject as well as an idea about major topics within a subject.

The Social Issues Resources Series (SIRS) 4 Over 30 different subjects titled and numbered on the spine 4 Three ring binders contain hundreds of short up-to-date articles on dozens of subjects. 4 Quick Reference Guide lists subjects, volumes

Moving from Subject to a Research Topic 4 Focusing Your Efforts –Don’t bounce around too long. –If not you will create a scattered superficial research paper. 4 Go Online 4 Record Potential topics 4 Discovery Techniques –Free writing –Clustering