1. STEPS IN CHOOSING A TOPIC [TopicPreparation.pptx] FOR PAPERS THAT ARE: LITERARY ARGUMENTATIVE/PERSUSIVE POSITION EXPOSITORY

2. Looking for a Topic? Try this. See The Curious Researcher, 8 th /e, Ch 1, pages 21 - 30. Do exercise 1.1 page 25, steps 1 to 3. If that doesn't work, try some of the techniques in the rest of the section.

3. 1. Choose a general area of interest Possible sources: Textbooks Handbooks listing topics Teachers and librarians Personal reflection Friends’ interests, experiences, knowledge

4. 2. NARROW THE TOPIC a. CRITERIA Must interest you Must be within your abilities Must have sufficient resources

5. 2. NARROW THE TOPIC b. Subjects to avoid Too recent Too sensitive or controversial Too hard to investigate Too distasteful Uninteresting to you

6. 2. NARROW THE TOPIC c. Strategies to narrow topic General encyclopedia indexes Books - table of contents – Introduction – indexes Magazines, journals, references, bibliographical sketches Brainstorming: e.g., Free writing, clustering, listing

7. 3. Select Focused Topic from General Subject Area 4. Verify Topic with Instructor This may require a formal PROPOSAL OR PROSPECTIVE

8. 5. RESEARCH AVAILABLE INFORMATION Is there enough? a.Research strategy going from general sources to more specialized sources. b.Create bibliography cards or file for all sources. c.Create note cards or files based on brainstorming.

9. START RESEARCH NOW SCHEDULE DUE DATES Start with final due date and work backwards. Keep dates handy and visible at your desk. Leave time for reflection, error, revision. Follow your schedule. (That party can wait!)