GILL LIBRARYTHE COLLEGE OF NEW ROCHELLE

RESEARCH AND INFORMATION LITERACY ENG 216 A

SESSION 2

Finding and Refining Your Topicin Literature and Social Sciences

Drafting a Thesis/ Research Proposal

CHOOSE A RESEARCH TOPIC

What interests you• Something in the news?• A personal or professional experience• Something you have always wanted to know

more about

Approach that topic from a scholarly

perspective

For example:

“Norman…while watching news reports of the Iraq

War, noticed dry and barren land, yet history had

taught him that this land between the Tigres and the

Euphrates rivers was formerly a land of fruit and

honey….What happened to it?

Norman’s interest = world’s water supplyExcerpted from Lester and Lester. Writing Research Papers. Page 10

Browsing in National Geographic Norman finds an article

http://

news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2001/05/0518_crescent_2.html

The following is excerpted from the link above.

He learns:

Satellite technology shows:

Over the last 40 years more than 30 + large dams have

been built that reduce available water and eliminate

nourishing floodwaters

Resulting in damage to the marshlands and devastation

to wildlife

And reducing the water supply to the residents

He also learns that:

Before satellites assessing environmental damage

depended upon each government’s “willingness

and ability to investigate conditions in their

country.”

Satellite technology now allows a clearer and more

accessible picture on environmental damage.

Norman’s question has expanded to include many

considerations

POSSIBLE SCHOLARLY APPROACHES

1) the ethics the world’s distribution of water

2) the history of the global water shortage

3) environmental implications of the global water

crisis

4) social implications of the global water crisis

5) the politics of assessing environmental damage

YOUR TURN

Pick a topic based related to the Social

Sciences• Personal interest• Recent News• Conversations in person or through a

social network• A subject covered in another class• Something you have always wanted to

know about

CONCEPT MAPPING

Go to our Web site

Session 2 Video on Concept Mapping

USE TOOLS TO FIND AND DEVELOP IDEAS

Encore Red Box on Library Homepage

Classic Catalog Subject Search

Online Subject Directory

Online Discussion Groups:

Humanities and Social Sciences Net Online

Internet Keyword Search

EXERCISE ON CONCEPT MAPPING

SEE HANDOUT

THE THESIS STATEMENT

A THESIS:

• Is a short statement summarizing the primary idea of your paper

• Consists of one or two sentences• Appears at the start of your paper, usually

the last sentence in your introductory paragraph

• Is developed, supported, and explained in the text by means of examples and evidence.

• Is a roadmap for your readers! • It gives your paper organization and clarity

Types of Theses covered in LTCA

• Argumentative Essay (Persuasive)• Cause and Effect Essay (Explanatory)• Comparison and Contrast Essay (Analytical)• Literary Research Paper (Research)

• What does your assignment require of you:• Persuasion, analysis, reflection, research, make a claim

HOW TO CREATE A THESIS

Determine • The type of paper you are required to create• Your Topic• Your Claim or Opinion• Identify all relevant points to support your claim

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sx42_C10zw

Let’s look at the Argumentative Essay

A R G U M E N TAT I V E O R P E R S UA S I V E E SS AY “An argumentative or persuasive piece of writing must

begin with a debatable thesis or claim… something that

people could reasonably have differing opinions on.”• Not debatable: Pollution is bad for the environment Vs• Debatable: America’s anti-pollution efforts should

focus on privately owned carsIn this example there is also room for disagreement between rational individuals. Some ..might think focusing on recycling programs rather than private automobiles is the most effective strategy.

• Don’t avoid the opposite opinions… Be prepared for them so you can make your paper stronger!”

Excerpted from The Owl at Purdue (read more)

KEEP IT NARROW

Your argument should be specific• Too Broad: Drug Use is Detrimental

for Society

• Narrower, more specific: Illegal drug use is detrimental because it encourages gang violence.

REMEMBER

Your thesis statement should be specific—it should

cover only what you will discuss in your paper and

should be supported with specific evidence.

Your topic may change as you write, so you may

need to revise your thesis statement to reflect

exactly what you have discussed in the paper.