1. 25% of the Third Marking Period
The I-Search Paper
25% of the Third
Marking Period

2. Choosing a Topic Something that really interests you!
Something that you know very little about
Something you once saw in a movie or on TV?
Something a friend told you about?
Something that sounds too unreal to be true?

3. Choosing a Topic
It is crucial that you choose a topic about which you know nothing or just little.
The first I-Search assignment hinges on your relative ignorance about the topic.

4. Opposing Viewpoints
You can use this LMC database to brainstorm topic ideas. The sources are already organized according to “pro” and “con.”

5. Mode
The I-Search paper is not an informational “report.” It will be written in the persuasive mode.
You will be asked to defend a thesis position.
Concepts to avoid:
Biography of (just information)
History of (just information)
Future of (pure speculation)
Impact of (too broad to quantify)

6. Make a list of at least ten topic possibilities based on the suggestions which follow or based on anything else that occurs to you as you view the following categorized list of previous student I-Search papers . . .

7. Communications Comparative mythology “Fake news” Movie violence
Censorship
Freedom of speech
Subliminal advertising
Urban legends
News Infotainment

8. Government and Politics
Immigration
Opioid addiction
Poverty in the U.S.
Carbon tax
European refugee crisis
ACA/Obamacare
Oil consumption
Communism and Socialism

9. Health Fetal genetic manipulation Insomnia
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria
The origin of Ebola
Alzheimer’s disease
Gluten-free diet
Savantism

10. Historic Figures/History
Finding Amelia Earhart
D.B. Cooper
The real Atlantis
Purpose of Stonehenge
The Holy Grail
The Ark of the Covenant
Salem witch trials
Nazi treasure and stolen art

11. Psychology American culture of fear Dreams and nightmares Mindfulness
Multiple personalities
Cults and deprogramming
Insanity defense
“Free-Range” Parenting

12. Social Issues Marijuana legalization Native Americans rights
The income gap
College costs
Doctor-assisted suicide
Capital punishment
Video games and violence

13. Local Issues Tyler Park deer hunt Locavore movement
Fracturing for natural gas
Warminster/Willow Grove water contamination
Penn East pipeline

14. Mythology/Parapsychology
Modern witchcraft
Near-death experiences
Ghosts
Big Foot
The Bermuda Triangle
The Loch Ness Monster
Telekinesis

15. Religion Voodoo as religion The Book of Revelation
Jonestown, Guyana cult
Modern anti-Semitism
Faith healers
Pagan/modern holidays
Liberal Catholicism

16. Science and Nature Glacial depletion Mars travel Jurassic Park?
Global climate change
Time travel
Animal intelligence
Genetically Modified Food

17. Sports Salary caps Concussions Pros in the Olympic Games
Steroid use/doping
Hazing
Political expression

18. Technology Nuclear power 3D-printed human organs
Alternative energy sources
DNA testing and justice
Cyber/computer warfare
Artificial intelligence/sentience

19. In the next 24 hours
Listen to friends’ and family members’ conversations
Tune in to news broadcasts
Click through online news sources or channel surf

20. DO NOT start by googling your topic
DO NOT start by googling your topic. Rank order your three potential topic choices based on your immediate level of interest or excitement, and lack of prior knowledge