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©2015 by Robin L. Simmons.
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Quiz Time!
Remember that a good research
essay topic has these 5 qualities:
• Shows a high level of interest on your
•
•
•
•
part as the writer.
Is narrow enough to cover in 2,000
words.
Has plenty of sources of information.
Is academic.
Avoids overused, unimaginative
subjects — unless you are able to present
them in new and fresh ways.
Directions and Rules
•
•
•
•
•
Listen to each student propose a research essay
topic. Based on our discussion, determine if the
topic is good or bad. If the topic is bad, decide
the reason.
You will have 60 seconds to view each slide. No
slide will be repeated!
You can consult your notes, look on your
neighbor’s paper, talk to students sitting around
you, or raise discussion in class.
Just realize that whatever answer you write
down will determine your grade on the quiz.
This quiz is worth 10 points of your prewriting
grade.
Each pitch will require that you fill
2 blanks on the answer sheet.
For the first blank,
A = Good Topic; B = Bad Topic.
For the second blank,
A = Not interesting to the student;
B = Too broad;
C = Not enough sources;
D = Not academic;
E = Overused;
F = Good to go!
Let’s try a sample …
What if vampires
really exist? Are we
prepared to protect
ourselves? I’m
really frightened by
the idea of a
vampire biting
me, so I want to
research the
herbs that
protect humans
from supernatural
creatures, like
garlic and
wolfsbane.
Ready? Here they
come …
(The pitches, not the
vampires)
I am a member of
the Sierra Club, the
World Wildlife
Fund, and
Greenpeace, and I
am appalled at
the destruction
my fellow human
beings are
wreaking on the
environment. I want
to write my
research essay on
the harmful effects
of pollution.
People all over
the world fall
victim to illegal
drugs. What a
tragedy! Why
do people do
this? I really
want to
understand! I
want to write my
research essay
on the problems
with illegal
drugs.
I have many deep and
insightful realizations
about the world, especially in
the area of morality. I want
to write my research essay
on my personal
philosophy of life,
especially in regards to the
lack of decency I see
around me on a daily basis.
I’ve always had a
fascination with outer
space, and ever since I
saw the movies Deep
Impact and
Armageddon, I have
wondered about the
possibility of an ELE—or
Extinction Level
Event—really happening.
I want to write my research
essay on what strategies
world governments have
for human survival if a
meteor were about to
strike Earth.
I have studied my
astrological sign,
Taurus, and believe
that it accurately
describes me as a
person. For example,
I am passionate
and bull-headed!
For my research
essay, I want to
explore all of the
astrological signs to
see what insight
they have about the
people born under
them.
Are you a Democrat,
Professor? I can write my
research essay on how
Sarah Palin is a joke who
had no business considering
a run for vice-president. Are
you a Republican,
Professor? I can write my
paper on how President
Obama is ruining our
country with his socialist
agenda.
There have been many
advances made in
transplant surgery. For
example, doctors can now
harvest organs from
living, non-blood
relatives. I know this
because my brother
received a kidney from his
wife. I want to explain the
discoveries and
procedures that allow a
living, non-blood relative to
donate an organ to
someone they love.
Immigrants, both legal
and illegal, put millions
of dollars into the
economy every day. I'm
an immigrant myself, and
I've seen how the cash
and carry economy
works. Some companies
already have realized the
power of these
consumers and they're
targeting this new
market. I want to write
my research essay on the
economic benefits
immigrants provide to the
state of Florida.
My parents divorced
when I was a young,
innocent child. I
suffered as a result.
I want to write my
research essay on the
damaging effects
of divorce to society
as a whole.
I played lacrosse in high
school, where the sport was
totally unappreciated. I
want to write my research essay
on why no one at Decanter
High had any respect for this
great athletic event.
Time is up!
I am a member of
the Sierra Club, the
World Wildlife
Fund, and
Greenpeace, and I
am appalled at
the destruction
my fellow human
beings are
wreaking on the
environment. I want
to write my
research essay on
the harmful effects
of pollution.
People all over
the world fall
victim to illegal
drugs. What a
tragedy! Why
do people do
this? I really
want to
understand! I
want to write my
research essay
on the problems
with illegal
drugs.
I have many deep and
insightful realizations
about the world, especially in
the area of morality. I want
to write my research essay
on my personal
philosophy of life,
especially in regards to the
lack of decency I see
around me on a daily basis.
I’ve always had a
fascination with outer
space, and ever since I
saw the movies Deep
Impact and
Armageddon, I have
wondered about the
possibility of an ELE—or
Extinction Level
Event—really happening.
I want to write my research
essay on what strategies
world governments have
for human survival if a
meteor were about to
strike Earth.
I have studied my
astrological sign,
Taurus, and believe
that it accurately
describes me as a
person. For example,
I am passionate
and bull-headed!
For my research
essay, I want to
explore all of the
astrological signs to
see what insight
they have about the
people born under
them.
Are you a Democrat,
Professor? I can write my
research essay on how
Sarah Palin is a joke who
had no business considering
a run for vice-president. Are
you a Republican,
Professor? I can write my
paper on how President
Obama is ruining our
country with his socialist
agenda.
There have been many
advances made in
transplant surgery. For
example, doctors can now
harvest organs from
living, non-blood
relatives. I know this
because my brother
received a kidney from his
wife. I want to explain the
discoveries and
procedures that allow a
living, non-blood relative to
donate an organ to
someone they love.
Immigrants, both legal
and illegal, put millions
of dollars into the
economy every day. I'm
an immigrant myself, and
I've seen how the cash
and carry economy
works. Some companies
already have realized the
power of these
consumers and they're
targeting this new
market. I want to write
my research essay on the
economic benefits
immigrants provide to the
state of Florida.
My parents divorced
when I was a young,
innocent child. I
suffered as a result.
I want to write my
research essay on the
damaging effects
of divorce to society
as a whole.
I played lacrosse in high
school, where the sport was
totally unappreciated. I
want to write my research essay
on why no one at Decanter
High had any respect for this
great athletic event.