1. Research Selecting and Narrowing a Topic

2. Report or Research Report About a topic Summary of information Retelling of facts Research Investigation of topic Evaluation of information Commentary

3. Selecting a Topic to Research O A topic is what the essay or research is about. It provides a focus for the writing. O Topics can be broken down into components or sub topics. O General topic: whales O Sub topics: blue whale, migration, whaling, communication

4. Background Information O Getting an overview will help you get a general understanding of your topic. O begin to know what kinds of subtopics are within the general topic. O begin to ask some questions that you will answer later in the research process. O begin to focus your topic into one you can handle in your project.

5. Focus Your Topic O A topic will be very difficult to research if it is not well defined. O One way to narrow a broad topic such as “whales" is to limit your topic by brainstorming keywords.

6. Key Words O Keep track of the words that are used to describe your topic. O Look for words that best describe your topic O Look for them when reading encyclopedia articles and background and general information O Find broader and narrower terms, synonyms, key concepts for key words to widen your search capabilities O Make note of these words and use them later when searching databases and catalogs

7. Develop Search Terms O I want to do my project about some kind of ocean mammal such as whales or dolphins. O Pull out the key words and phrases in the sentences above and list them separately: O ocean mammal O whales O dolphins

8. Expand Keywords O Now start expanding the list with related terms and synonyms: O ocean --> sea --> marine O mammals --> warm-blooded animals O ocean mammal --> marine mammal O whales --> cetaceans O dolphins --> porpoises

9. Specific Keywords O Are there any words or phrases that are more specific? O whales --> blue whale, killer whale, humpback whale O dolphins --> bottle nose dolphin

10. Topic Triangle Pollution Air Pollution Causes of air pollution Effects of aerosol products on air pollution

11. Research Question O A research question is a clear, focused, arguable question around which you center your research. For example: O Ideas = Blue whales and whaling O Brainstorm questions you have about your topic to begin to develop a research question. O Research Question = How has whaling impacted the blue whale population?

12. Sample Research Questions O Unclear: Why are social networks harmful? O Clear: How are online users addressing privacy issues on such social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook? O Unfocused: What is the effect on the environment from global warming? O Focused: How is glacial melting affecting penguins in Antarctica?

13. Practice O Test your ability to choose a good research question: O Does McDonald’s or Burger King make a better burger? O How many oil spills have occurred in the last five years? O Is there a link between hours of television viewing and violent behavior in children aged 8 – 14?

14. Thesis Statement O Write your topic as a thesis statement. This may be the answer to your research question and/or a way to clearly state the purpose of your research. Your thesis statement will usually be one or two sentences that states precisely what is to be answered, proven, or what you will inform your audience about your topic. O For example, a thesis statement could be: The practice of whaling has a negative effect on the blue whale population.

15. Practice O Go to www.socrative.comwww.socrative.com O Click “Student Log In” O Enter room number: 37080 O Click “Join Room”

16. Practice: Narrow Your Topic O Identify three narrower aspects of the following broad topics. In other words, what are three areas you could investigate that fit into these very broad topics? O Sports O Pollution O Politics

17. Practice: Research Question O Create a research question from the topics you identified in the previous activity.

18. Practice: Keyword O Imagine that you have been assigned the following topics. Think of 3 keywords you might use to look for information on each. O How does air quality affect our health? O What are the barriers to peace in the Middle East? O Should snowmobiling be allowed in wilderness areas?