1. Finding and Narrowing a Topic
Unit 10: Research Strategies

2. 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)

3. 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.

4. 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!

5. 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!

6. 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