PERSUASIV

E RESEARCH

PAPE

R

CA

II I

CHOOSING A TOPIC

Pick an issue that …

you feel strongly about.

controversial.

hasn’t been done too many times.

Can you find evidence to support your opinion?

Who cares?

Will you understand the research?

PITFALL #1

Broad topic…

Too much information.

Could not fit all of the information in 5 paragraphs.

Write a book about the topic? Too broad!

Examples:

Sports

Global warming

Agriculture

PITFALL #2

Narrow topic…Too little or no information.Cannot successfully develop 5 paragraphs.Zero results--too narrow!

Examples:T-ball injuries among elementary studentsEffect of weather changes on algae growthRodenticide Act’s effect on farmers in

Midwest

Peruse Opposing Viewpoints

Search the web and just see what is out there

Make a list of interesting topics

Fill out the Research Task Form!!

WHAT DO I DO?

Your LibGuide!!

GOOGLE WONDER WHEEL

Takes your topic and your search and narrows it for you

Type your topic into Google search window

Choose Wonder Wheel on the left menu

Let the magic begin!

Google Wonder Wheel

an original fundamental and authoritative document pertaining to an event or subject of inquiry; a firsthand or eyewitness account of an event

Examples: Autobiography Personal records Photographs Letters Certificates &

Licenses Manuscripts Artifacts

PRIMARY SOURCES

any document that describes an event, person, place, or thing, not created contemporaneously

Examples: Biography Textbooks Journal

Articles Criticisms

SECONDARY SOURCES

RESEARCH TIME & HOW TO USE IT

Opposing Viewpoints Google Wonder Wheel Research Task Form

TOMORROW

Research form doneGet topic approved by Mr. RabbittFind 3-5 sourcesCreate works cited

WORKS CITED

“Primary Source." Def. 1. Dictionary.com. Web. 29 Nov. 2010.

<http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/primary+source>.

"Secondary Source." Def. 1. Dictionary.com. Web. 29 Nov. 2010.

<http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/secondary+source

>.