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Research Question Assignment

It is absolutely essential to develop a good research question that interests you in order to write a good and persuasive research essay. When you begin to research a broad topic such as “significant historical events,” you will be faced with a seemingly infinite number of topics to pursue. However, once you identify a focused question such as “What historical events have most influenced border policies in the United States?” your research will have direction. Eventually, with further research you should be able to design an argumentative thesis that takes a position on that question. With the workable thesis you can begin drafting an argument.

But how do you develop a focused research question? The first step is to choose an appropriate topic for your research, one that actually can be researched. In week one you chose a broad category. That should have gotten you started. The next step is to narrow the focus within that topic. Say that instead of significant historical events, you chose “scientific innovation.” After doing some reading you should likewise find a topic of interest—perhaps, “key scientific innovations in transportation” or “breakthrough scientific innovations in medical treatment.” Those are now workable reasonably narrow topics.

A good way to move from your narrower topic to the research question is to make a list of questions that you might like answered within your narrowed topic. Then simply choose the best question, the one with the most appeal and one that seems neither too broad nor too narrow. The more preliminary research you do the better. You want to say something worth saying.

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Assignment: In one file submit all of the following…

1. Your broad category

2. A narrowed topic

3. A list of at least 10 questions within the topic that you would like answered

4. The research question you would like to pursue

5. A list of six credible, specific sources gathered from the library database that address your research question directly. Format these correctly.

6. A one-page summary of what you have discovered so far and how you think you will proceed in your research toward developing the final essay.

See sample below…

SAMPLE

Joe S–

English 102

Dr. Y

Term

1. Scientific Innovations

2. Steam Powered Trains

3. Possible questions

· Who invented steam-powered trains?

· What pre-dated steam-powered trains?

· Which technologies made possible steam-powered trains?

· What social changes followed the introduction of steam-powered trains?

· Who promoted the use of steam-powered trains in America?

· How did the introduction of these trains affect American politics?

· Did any political campaigns hinge on the new trains?

· Did the new railroads have any impact on the Civil War?

· What new industries developed after the introduction of these trains?

· Which American cities grew most after the introduction of these trains?

4. My question: What social changes followed the introduction of steam-powered trains?

5. Six sources: (use MLA style)

Aldag, Robert: “Steam vs. Diesel Locomotives,” Culture Clash:

Diesel vs. Tradition, 176 (1988): 89.

Armbruster, K. E. “Citizen Train and the City of Destiny,” Columbia: The

Magazine of Northwest History, 12.4 (1998): 36-42.

Bryant, G. T. “The Gripman Wore a Sheepskin Coat,” Chicago History,

1.1 (1970): 47-56.

Chiles, J. R. “Miracle under 42nd Street.” American Heritage of Invention

& Technology 25.4 (1971): 12-21. Print.

Grant, H. R. “Arkansas Paper Interurbans,” Arkansas Historical Quarterly,

39.1 (1981): 53-63.

Using the document linked below, form a research question and begin preliminary research in a narrowed topic within your subject area.?As with all assignments, include an appropr first appeared on Writeden.