Research

Research

1. Find a topic that interests you

   • find a genre you like
   • focus on a specific aspect
   • make it intriguing
   • Take the time to learn from it
   • try to find a unique topic
     • find a topic that is preferably debated

2. Consider your rhetorical Situation

   • Examine the requirements of the assignment
   • acknowledge the audience
     • consider what they might be thinking
     • what are their expectations
   • Refer back to the purpose of the topic
     • what do you wish to accomplish ?
     • are you trying to report on a topic or argue a position?
   • note the genre
     • will you argue the position, narrate it, analyze the data or simply report on it?
   • establish your stance
     • what is your attitude and how will the audience receive it?
     • will you be biased or unbiased
   • will you be adding any more media?
     • data, pictures, videos, charts
   • remember the context

3. narrow your topic

   • scan subtopics
   • find current news
   • make sure it is very specific as if it was a case by case basis
   • make sure it isn't broad and overwhelming.
   • what you already know can be useful
     • what are your experiences and how could they help
   • brainstorm and explore
   • be specific

4. do some background research

   • become familiar with the topic
   • begin to formulate questions about your research
   • use a variety of sources
     • reference works, encyclopedias, almanacs, etc.
   • start with an overview then branch out in specifics
   • when doing background research remember who is talking and what they mean to say

5. articulate a question your research will answer

   • establish a question that will guide your research
   • understand what would you like to know about your topic
   • need to provide a more detailed answer than a " yes " or " no "
     • add more open-ended questions to broaden the perspective
   • consider why the answer matters
     • is it worth looking into
     • would the audience like to read about it
   • make sure the question is manageable in relation to you time
   • note genre requirements
     • will it lead to a report, an analysis, or an argument
   • look for various perspectives and where you stand
   • keep in mind your question while looking for various answers

6. Establish a schedule

   • meet your deadlines on time
   • create a series of gradual tasks
     • choose topic
       • narrow topic
     • analyze rhetorical situation
     • do preliminary research
       • do library and web search
         • work on bibliography
           • prepare works cited
         • do additional research
         • plan and schedule field research
     • decide question
     • plot thesis
       • draft thesis
   • write draft
     • revise
       • edit
         • write final draft
           • proof read
             • turn in final draft
   • get response

7. Plot out a working thesis

   • think about the answers
     • turn the best answer into the thesis
       • this is your hypothesis
   • might not be final thesis
     • may find more information
       • stay flexible and keep an open mind
   • create a clear, arguable claim, that provides reasons for the position