Choosing Your Topic You will want to “love” what you’re writing about!

Hacker book, pg. 92  Choose a Narrow Question.  Choose a Challenging Question  Choose a Grounded Question

Narrow Questions – Remember, it’s only a 5-7 page paper. Broad What are the effects of school uniforms? Narrow Do school uniforms truly decrease school violence? Do school uniforms effect bullying in high schools?

You try it this time Broad Topic CELL PHONES Narrow topic In question form……… You have one minute to think of two narrowed topics. Now pair/share Now class share

Challenging Question Don’t be predictable Predictable/Bland Is child abuse wrong? Is it important for teenagers to exercise? Challenging/controversial Is spanking a child wrong? How does exercise effect student’s academic performance?

You try it this time Bland/Predictable Is steroid use in sports bad? Challenging/Controversial In question form……… You have one minute to think of two challenging questions Now pair/share Now class share

Choose a Grounded Question Speculative Should prayer be allowed in public schools? Should people have the right to copy professional photographs? Opinion Based Grounded How does religious diversity effect a school’s climate? How has easy copying technology changed the professional photography industry? Data Driven

You Choose the Better Issue Do SAT scores thoroughly predict college success? OR Should SAT tests be abolished? Should teenagers be allowed to use social networks like facebook and myspace? OR How does facebook and myspace effect a teen’s ability to communicate and socialize.

You Choose the Better Issue Should schools be required to serve healthy lunches? OR How do healthy school lunches affect student performance? Does technology increase student understanding, learning, and scores? OR Should classrooms provide technology for students to use?

What is your opinion? As you choose a topic, keep an open mind. You don’t have to know a lot about the topic or have an opinion about it. Your research will help you learn more about your topic and your discoveries will help you form an opinion.

What are you interested in? Choose a topic that has a personal interest or connection. Don’t choose a topic because it’s easy to find information about it. Be ready to “dig” for information about something that really interests you.

OFF LIMIT TOPICS!!!! Abortion – Too broad and emotional Global Warming – Over done (plus, it’s freezing!) Legalizing Marijuana – Way over done.