The writer of a research paper is taking part in a debate.
The writer must choose a topic that has at least two sides.
Although the writer may start the investigation with a neutral mindset, eventually, the writer must take a side.
You must choose one of these topics or have teacher's permission before beginning.
(This is a large file; there is also a copy on the school's G Drive.)
Your Assignment
Part 1:
List clearly your topic.
Part 2:
If you choose a topic not on the PowerPoint, you must clearly explain the two sides of this debate.
Part 3:
Develop questions that you will explore as you do your preliminary research.
Asking the important questions before beginning will make the search more efficient. If prepared, the writer will be more likely to gather information that will actually make it into the final paper. Without planning, the researcher is more likely to pick up piles of files that will later prove to be useless.
Example:
Starting question: What IS the Kennewick Man? Why do some experts think that Kennewick Man was Caucasian (or a near relative)? Why did a Native tribe sue to bury the remains of what many people say is a White man? What does the law say about Native graves? Where was Kennewick Man found? How can scientists learn about North America's past by studying the Kennewick Man? What sorts of test do scientists want to run on Kennewick Man? How might these test be offensive to native beliefs? How old do they think Kennewick Man may be? How is Kennewick Man changing ideas about North American prehistory? Why might scientist' findings about Kennewick Man be threatening to native beliefs and values? Central Question: Which group has the better legal claim to Kennewick Man?
Avoid these common errors:
It can't be just a fact.
The question "How is a bill made into a law?" is a bad question because there's really only one way-- reasonable people are not able to argue against it.
In the same way, "Which is the fastest production car?" is a bad question because the answer would be merely a fact, and reasonable people cannot argue against facts. Also, the paper that results from this question is unlikely to be longer than one paragraph.
It can't be just an opinion.
The question "Is there such a thing as Bigfoot?" could one day be answered if one were captured.
The question "Who really shot John F. Kennedy?" could one day be answered if evidence could only be found.
The question "Who is America's greatest actress?" will always be just opinion.
Avoid lists and stick to two sides.
There are several types of death penalties.
There are several theories explaining how the dinosaurs became extinct.
Each of these could turn into papers that merely list and describe one thing after another, but by choosing only two theories, the paper will focus on contrasting and comparing them.
