Dr. Ryan Allen
Assistant Professor of English &Writing
Director, Writing Center
712-279-5211
ryan.allen@briarcliff.edu
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This presentation will cover:
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Picking a topic
Developing a research question
Formulating a thesis statement
Directing your research
Some resources at your disposal for the completion of
these points above
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Some things to remember:
▪ Some topics will be determined by your instructor/professor;
some will be your choice
▪ If it’s up to you, aim to pick something that is both interesting and
relevant to you
 Consider picking a topic that you have some degree of familiarity
with or some previous knowledge of
 Something in your career or field of study is usually a good place to
start
 Although it is good to pick something that you have a personal
connection with, it is important to remember that, generally
speaking, your task will be to create an essay that is RESEARCHBASED.
▪ If it’s not up to you, FOLLOW the DIRECTIONS provided by your
professor
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Look through the tasks and activities for your
research writing assignment. Does this
proposed topic seem substantive enough to
meet the minimum requirements?
Have you tried brainstorming or clustering or
free-writing on this topic yet?
 Doing some pre-writing might help you focus down
what about this topic really interests you.
 Try completing this sentence: "I picked this topic
because..." Answering this might point you in a
direction of emphasis.
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Doing some targeted preliminary research
might also help as well. Take a look at Google
Scholar or simply do a general internet search
to see what is out there and if it's
researchable (Use ‘subject’ guides’)
Consider how you will narrow your topic from
something broad to something narrowed and
focused
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Topic: Humans Relationship to Land
How could I make this topic more narrow and
focused? What might I want to focus in on?
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If your first objective was to pick a topic, your
second is to begin to direct that topic toward
substantive research
When you ask meaningful questions research
can be an enjoyable process
Try thinking about topic from a variety of angles
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Examine causal relationships
Explore comparisons/contrasts
Delve into process analysis
Think of examples
Question traditional definitions
BE CURIOUS!!
Determine scope of your issue (local, regional,
national, international)
 Determine your purpose (analysis, information,
examination, evaluation, argumentation, etc.)
 Determine who is impacted by your issue
 Ask yourself who is interested in this issue,
where would they read, write, talk, or hear about
it, and in what types of media?
 Determine what kinds of research you’ll need to
do (primary/secondary)
 Try to do some journalistic questioning (who,
what, when, where, why, how)
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The thesis is the main point of your research
It is the central maxim around which all the
development of the essay centers
 It might be the answer to your research question
 Your thesis will be based on a position you take
that comes from your research.
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 It is research-derived
 It is usually one declarative sentence.
 It will convey your essay’s main idea and thus, guide
your paper development.
 It may preview your major topics of your paper.
Try beginning with a phrase like, “Research shows” or
“Studies have shown.” This will signal to the audience
you have backing for whatever assertion you are
about to make, which helps to establish your
authority.
 Aim to include a kind of forecast/preview of your main
points in the actual thesis statement.
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 Put a 'because' at the end of your sentence and then finish
the phrase.
 What you come up with might get you a bit deeper and
more specific and focused into your topic. Whatever you
come up become the main points you develop in your
body paragraphs.
Make sure that thesis is research-based and not rooted in
personal opinion only.
 Is this thesis debatable? You want to be able to explore
multiple perspectives if needed, so if there aren't any
others your topic might not be dynamic enough.
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 In other words, say I accept what you say and say, "Sure, what
you say is true," what then?
 So, besides being debatable, you also want your topic to be
substantive and able to cover a broad depth of resources.
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Consider looking at
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/545/01/ for
some additional guidance on creating a thesis statement.
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Make sure you:
 Determine your purpose
▪ Informative
▪ Persuasive
▪ Argumentative
 Address the research question
 Have included thesis early in essay (usually by end
of 1st or 2nd paragraph)
 Have revised your thesis accordingly as the body
of your essay has undergone editing and revision
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Topic: Creativity
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Guiding question: What kind of personality
characteristics foster creativity?
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Thesis derived from research: Research
suggests the most important personal
characteristics that foster creativity are
flexibility, intuition and discipline within one’s
expertise.
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Topic: Environmental Impact of Oil Refinery
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Guided Research Question: What are the local
environmental implications for a new oil refinery being
built near my town?
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Thesis derived from research: Although the oil refinery will
bring a boon to the local economy in the short run, by
providing jobs and infusing capital into the area, research
shows how the long-term environmental impact of the
refinery will be devastating because of the pollution to the
air and groundwater, and its negative impact on local plant
and animal species.
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Going to the library at BCU will be very
helpful for this endeavor.
Use the variety of databases you have at your
disposal.
Go to
http://www.briarcliff.edu/library/online_datab
ases.aspx
Also consider looking at Google Scholar
Avoid Wikipedia!!!
Scholarly Article/Book
Primary Text
Interview/Survey
Experiment/Test/Observation
Sponsored Website
Biography/Autobiography
Trade Book
Encyclopedia
Popular Magazine
Newspaper
Depending on what type of research you’re doing,
however, the ordering of this list may look a bit
different
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Examine author’s credibility
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Professional affiliations
Awards received
Other publications
Cited by others
Worldview/Bias
Examine publisher’s credibility
 Commercial/Academic
 General public/Specialized group
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Online Credibility
 Look at:
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.edu (college/univ.)
.gov (government depts. & agencies)
.org (professional/non-profits)
.net (network site)
.com (commerical/business)
Relevance & Timeliness
 Check for:
▪ Up-to-date info
▪ Focus (how will you use the source? Will you maintain original
intent or take words out of context?)
QUESTIONS?
CONCERNS?
COMPLAINTS?
CRITICISMS?
Please contact the Writing Center!
writing.center@briarcliff.edu
712-279-5520
Heelan Hall 050