Identifying Topics

Important: Whenever you post to a blog for this class, do not use your full name or the full name of any classmate for the sake of privacy. First names or nicknames only, please.

Remember: A good topic for this paper is one that could be plausibly argued for either side. If only a crazy person would disagree with you ... what kind of an argument do you have to make?

Part I: Sharing Topics
Your first task for the argumentative research paper – due at the end of the day on Monday, November 6th – is not for yourself. Rather, it is a gift to your classmates.

Your assignment is to post two high-quality possible research topics to the class blog to help your peers brainstorm some new ideas. These topics are going to be fair game for anyone to pursue, so you probably don’t want to post a topic that you are really excited about researching yourself.

In brainstorming areas of interest, consider issues that have already come up in class – problems that you and your classmates identified in the “Mission Possible” essays, questions that came up in the literacy narratives, debates held over 40 Model Essays. Think about your other courses. While you can’t reuse a research topic from history, there might be other questions raised by your studies that you’d like to explore in more depth. Then browse headlines and major publications. Skim quality sources – use this as an opportunity to be reading quality rhetoric in contemporary nonfiction. You can find a list of great links below. Also consider other electronic databases available through the Media Center and the public library, and visit either or both in person to browse through back issues of magazines and newspapers (nothing beats the reading room at Robbins Library, gang).

For each topic, post the following:

• A short title, for ease of browsing.
  
• Identify the topic in the form of a synthesis essay question: “Defend, challenge, or qualify the claim that . . . ”
  
• Then include a potential source to accompany this topic – something you saw in browsing the many available resources. If the article is online you can paste in the link. If it is in print, give us the citation information so we can find it on our own (title, author, publication, date). In either case, write a one sentence summary of what the article seems to be about (you don’t need to read it, skimming the first page or two is usually sufficient).

As you propose topics, keep an eye on scope. For example, researching “educational reforms” would not be an appropriate topic: it’s far too broad. What are you really interested in? Whether affirmative actions really helps minority students? The effects of voucher programs on public schools in states that have them? The efficacy of charter schools? Whether the bilingual program should be reinstated? Then determine a position that you can “defend, challenge, or qualify.” It’s okay if you need to refine this statement over the course of your research, but you have a target in sight.

Part II: Selecting & Refining Topics
As you consider which topic you would like to work with, keep in mind that a good topic meets the following criteria:

1. It’s interesting to you. You’ll be working with this issue for the next two months. The more that it evolves out of a natural and genuine curiosity, the more enjoyable and satisfying the research and writing will be.
   
2. You will be able to find reliable and authoritative print sources. Try a subject search on the Minuteman Library Network; you’ll soon find out if there are resources available on your subject.
   
3. The scope is appropriate. The topic should be focused enough to be handled in considerable depth in 12-15 pages.

On or before November 8th, email me two high-quality topics that you are interested in pursuing for your paper. Make it clear which one(s) you are most excited about pursuing. You should format these topics the same way, written in the form of a “task” (defend, challenge, qualify) and including at least one good potential source.

Be sure that you’ve identified a topic of appropriate scope – not too broad, not too narrow. If there are a few possibilities you are considering within a certain topic area, that’s fine too; name more than one. You don’t need to know which side you’ll be arguing at this point, that’s what the research is for; you just need to establish that there’s a debate worth joining.

Resources to Consider

A) Databases in the Media Center
You may need passwords to access these; get a password slip from the Media Center to keep at home.

Opposing Viewpoints
Articles and papers presenting both sides of controversial social and political issues. Great place to go for early brainstorming. Do be cautious about dated or overly broad topics. Count this database as one source in your arithmetic.
http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/arlinghs

Social Issues Resource Series
Full-text articles on social, political, health, mental health, historical, and scientific issues, including special current issues information.
http://ars.sirs.com/

Newsbank/Infotrac Databases
Magazine and newspaper databases.
http://www.mln.lib.ma.us/electronic/arl1.htm

Minuteman Regional Library Database
I adore this database. You can access the historic New York Times, dating back to forever ago (or 1851, which is close). And the Boston Globe, and other great stuff. Does require a public library card, or the passcode from the Media Center.
http://mmrls.org/homeaccess.html

B) A Few Recommended Periodicals
Not only do these magazines have great information, the prose is usually stellar as well.

The Atlantic Online
http://www.theatlantic.com/

The New Yorker
http://www.newyorker.com/talk/

Harper’s
http://www.harpers.org/

The Nation
http://www.thenation.com/

National Review
http://www.nationalreview.com/

FAIR (Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting)
http://www.fair.org/index.php

The New York Review of Books
http://www.nybooks.com/">

The New York Times Magazine
http://www.nytimes.com/pages/magazine/

The Economist
http://www.economist.com/

C) Miscellaneous
Other helpful resources to consider.

Supreme Court Decisions
Browse Supreme Court opinions by topic and use the full text of the opinions as a possible source.
http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/index.html


Note: If you come across any great resources as you work, include them in your post to share with the rest of us!