TED Talks

TED TalksBrainstorming and Researching

Topics & Keywords1. Identify TWO main keywords to describe

your topic.

1.Water 2.War

Topics & Keywords2. Generate lists of synonyms.

1.Water 2.WarWash Conflict

Fluid Struggle

Cleanse Feud

Nourish Dispute

Working Thesis3. List problems connected to your keywords.

1. The connection isn’t very clear without further explanation.

2. My two words suggest the war on water like the Navy, not the war over water that involves the conflict over water resources.

3. Water is something everyone needs so people assume that everyone has it.

4.War is thought of to be between two countries not individuals fighting over water.

Working Thesis4. List your own ideas about your keywords.

1.War over water is going to increase by about 30% over the next 20 years.

2.When one group runs out of water, they wont just sit there wondering where they will get their water, they will fight to get more, especially in underdeveloped countries.

3. People need water to live. It’s a fight or die conflict if they lose their water resource.

4. Not all governments are concerned about protecting water rights and resources. This is where the main problem lies.

Working Thesis5. Merge your best "problems" with your best

"ideas."

1. I believe that by educating our diplomats in water conservation techniques, and then educating the governments of the countries they serve, we can further our water conservation efforts worldwide, and make our world more peaceful.

Research Questions6. Identify what may already be true about your

working thesis.

1. Our diplomats may already be educated on water use

2.We may already be sharing this information.

3.The countries governments may already know how to treat water quality issues but either don’t have the money to, or don’t want to.

Research Questions7. Identify additional keywords and subjects

you need to learn more about.

Water Policy Diplomacy Foreign governments

Water conservation Politics Economies in underdeveloped countries

Currency Value Cheap alternatives to conserve water

Research8. Visit the subject guide on the library website:

http://libguides.wsulibs.wsu.edu/. List the areas relevant to your working thesis.

Ag Science - General Communication Crop and soil sciences

Environmental Sciences and Resource Protection

Geography Geology

Political Science Natural Resource Science Economics

Be Radical9. Rewrite your working thesis as an imperative

with exaggeration.

I believe that by educating our diplomats in water conservation techniques, and then educating the governments of the countries they serve, we can further our water conservation efforts worldwide. Also by finding cheaper alternatives, we can compliment the budgets of these governments to find a way to insure water is conserved.

Be More Radical10. Say it again.

I believe that by educating our diplomats in water conservation techniques, and then educating the governments of the countries they serve, we can further our water conservation efforts worldwide. Also by finding cheaper alternatives, we can compliment the budgets of these governments to find a way to insure water is conserved.

Draw It Out