Selecting Suitable Subjects

1. Selecting Suitable Subjects Student Support Services Troy University; Troy, AL A mini-workshop to teach students to invent suitable topics for critical essays and to design appealing thesis statements

2. Primary Sources Reference Department; Instruction, Research, and Information Services (IRIS); Cornell University Library; Ithaca, NY, USA. Purdue University online writing lab [OWL] at: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/workshops/hypertext/ResearchW/assig.html The information herein is provided for educational, non-commercial purposes only.

3. First, Let’s Consider the Writing process • Invention • Collection • Organization • Drafting • Revising • Proofreading Slide Source: Purdue Online Writing Lab or Power Point

4. Selecting a Suitable Subject requires • Invention - coming up with ideas. • A subject (topic) starts as a writing idea or invention. Source: Purdue Online Writing Lab or Power Point

5. Subject Selection Objectives • To Select an appropriate topic for research • To Generatequestions from a topic • To Broaden or Narrow a question • To Identify key concepts and vocabularies related to a topic • To Broaden or Narrowconcepts and vocabularies related to a topic Source: http://www.conncoll.edu/is/research101-tutorial/HTML/Topics/topic01.htm

6. Important Invention Step:Analyze the “Rhetorical Situation” – Writing/Writer’s basic concerns • Writer -- The inventor and evaluator of the invention • Audience – Evaluators of the invention and sometimes of the inventor • Purpose -- Does or Will your invention appeal to the targeted or expected audience? • Topic – Subject that is relevant to writer, purpose and audience • Context – Appropriate selection and use of vocabulary – Is communication clear? Source: Purdue Online Writing Lab or Power Point

7. Why Analyze the Situation? • Because . . . You need to be aware that a rhetorical situation exists EVERY TIME you write. • Because . . . You need to adapt your topic and approach to meet your purpose and communicate clearly to your audience. • Because . . . You do not want to spend your writing energy in vain. Source: Purdue Online Writing Lab or Power Point

8. One of a Writer’s Main Concernsmust be “Purpose” – A writer’s reason for inventing, researching and presenting a topic Your Purpose will most likely be one of the following: • to inform • to persuade • to educate • to call to action • to entertain • to shock Source: Purdue Online Writing Lab or Power Point

9. Another of a Writer’s Main Concernsmust be for “Audience”-- The Ones to whom the topic and writing should appeal Your audience may include: • You • Other people: Instructors Teens College Peers Business Associates The General Public Source: Purdue Online Writing Lab or Power Point

10. Remember: Invention is the first step in the Writing Process: Invention coming up with a topic and writing ideas One of the Most Common Invention Techniques Brainstorming: Getting your ideas on paper so you can give yourself the widest range of topics possible Source: Purdue Online Writing Lab or Powerpoint

11. One Brainstorming Technique is Listing: Paper Topics Political apathy Animal abuse NFL instant replay Air pollution Telemarketing scams Internet censorship NBA salary caps Brainstorming Slide Source: Purdue Online Writing Lab or Power Point

12. Another Brainstorm Approach is Clustering: mapping out ideas Flag Burning Amendment sportsmanship First Amendment NBA salary caps Internet censorship ME animal abuse Tele- marketing scams NFL instant replay three-party system political apathy Slide Source: Purdue Online Writing Lab or Power Point

13. Other Places to Find Suitable Subjects • Casual conversations (online or face-to-face, formal lectures, or television.) • Textbooks. Textbooks introduce a topic and generally include a bibliography of books and articles consulted. • Encyclopedias. A general encyclopedia covers the entire range of human knowledge in brief. A search for a basic concept recalls every mention of that concept in the encyclopedia, indicating different contexts for it and some of the fields of study that have explored it. • Periodical Indexes. Searching a simple term in a general periodical database like InfoTracOneFile retrieves articles from magazines and journals that include your topic. • Electronic book reserves (e-books) such as those available at the Net Library database http://www.netlibrary.com/ (Go to Troy University library -- Troy campus -- Remote Services – General – scroll down / click on net library.

14. Specific Guidelines for Topic Selection • Choose a subject that you already know something about or that you would like to know more about. • Choose a subject that will teach you something new while you are in the process of explaining it to your reader. • Remember: Do not undervalue the significance of your personal experiences, especially when a particular experience led to a change in your life or in your outlook on life or society.

15. Guidelines for Choosing a Topic, cont. Let necessity be your guide: • Ask yourself: “Is there some product that I need?” • If so, you may choose to write an essay that discusses the different brands available, as well as the pros and cons of each. (Comparison/Contrast) Let Classes you are taking help you choose: Ask yourself: “Have I briefly studied some topic in one of my classes that I would like to know more about?”

16. Topic Selection for Research Papers • When assigned the task of writing a research paper, it is also important to choose your topic wisely. • Choosing a topic that may be controversialand new may be a good way to gain and keep readers’ attention. • The problem with choosing topics that are so new is that there may not be enough resources available to adequately cover the topic.

17. Remember Objective 5: “Narrowing a Broad Subject (slide 5) After choosing a broad subject area either for an essay or research paper, it is necessary to limit the scope of your subject into a more manageable topic that can be sufficiently covered in a limited amount of time or paper length restrictions. • For example: Writing about the world of work is too broad to cover completely and thoroughly in a 300-500 word essay. • So . . . it is necessary to decide on one particular aspect of the world of work. Option: Cover the important benefits derived from working while attending college; this would be a more manageable topic choice. Option: Choose a particular job that a busy college student might be able to work, without sacrificing too much study time.

18. Narrowing a Subject, cont. In order to narrow a subject into a more manageable topic, a writer may focus on one or two of these concentrations: A Time period (Ex: World Trade Center Reconstruction Plans Five Years After the Terrorist Attacks of 9/11) A Specific Occupation (Ex: Career Growth Projections for Data Communications Coordinators) A Cultural period (Ex: The Living Spirit of Jazz as Depicted in James Baldwin’s Short Fiction, “Sonny’s Blues”) Religion (Ex: Should the Government Recognize Scientology as a Legitimate Religion?) Particular Economic group (Ex: Housing Conditions of Women under age 30 in Kuwait After Desert Storm) Specialized discipline (Ex: The Current Training Regimen of Delta Airline Flight Attendants) Special Classification (Ex: A Day in the Unique Life of Phylum Cynidaria , the Common Jelly Fish)

19. Guidelines for Narrowing, cont. As the previous examples show, you can narrow your topic by focusing on a specific aspect such as: Category Specific Example or Incident Gender Region or Locality Nationality or Race Age Group Remember: Although you may have narrowed your subject as much as you think is possible, it may be necessary to try again, especially if you find something unexpected that may be of interest. Subject Selection is a recursive endeavor, as is writing, in general.

20. Narrowing Activity Look at the broad topics listed below and narrow each of them by using the guidelines from the previous slides so that each can be used in a 500 -1000 word essays: Advertising Animals Automobiles College Crime (You may need to pause this slide by right clicking the mouse and clicking on “pause.” When you are finished with the activity, right click the mouse and click on “resume.”)

21. Topics to Avoid Topics to avoid when writing essays or research papers include the following: • Topics that appear to be too easy to write about. The danger here is that you may soon become bored, and therefore, run the risk of not writing a very interesting paper • Topics with resources that are not available or up-to-date (ideally within 10 years). Therefore, it is advised that you find out which topics have the most readily available material.

22. Topics to Avoid, cont. • Topics that limit you to a fixed position before you even start your research. Allow your topic to develop into a thesis and do not try to make your facts fit your thesis. Manipulating data is unwise and leads to falsehoods and flawed logic. • Topics that have been done-to-death. Only use a topic if you can approach the topic from a new perspective. • Topics that can be summed up in an encyclopedia entry or found in any single source. College writers must think critically and not just report the obvious. • Topics chosen out of desperation (at the last minute). Rush jobs are usually shoddy and only create anxiety and stress.

23. Conduct a Preliminary Bibliography Search • A good way to find out if a topic has enough information is to conduct a preliminary search and then compile a bibliography or annotated bibliography. • An annotated bibliography is a list of citations to books, articles, and documents. Each citation is followed by a brief (less than 150 words) paragraph, referred to as the annotation. • The purpose of the annotation is to inform the writer or reader of the relevance, accuracy, and quality of the sources. • An annotated bibliography is a good companion to a paper (topic) proposal, which instructors sometimes request of students. Source: http://www.library.cornell.edu/olinuris/ref/research/skill28.htm#what

24. How to Create an Annotated Bibliography • Write a concise annotation that summarizes the central theme and scope of the book or article. (Create a short note about source) • Include one or more sentences that (a) evaluate the authority or background of the author; (b) comment on the intended audience; (c) compare or contrast this work with another you have cited; or (d) explain how this work illuminates your bibliography topic.

25. Sample Annotated Bibliography APA format for the journal citation: Goldschneider, F. K., Waite, L. J., & Witsberger, C. (1986). Non-family living and the erosion of traditional family orientations among young adults. American Sociological Review,51, 541-554. The authors, researchers at the Rand Corporation and Brown University, use data from the National Longitudinal Surveys of Young Women and Young Men to test their hypothesis that non-family living by young adults alters their attitudes, values, plans, and expectations, moving them away from their belief in traditional sex roles. They find their hypothesis strongly supported in young females, while the effects were fewer in studies of young males. Increasing the time away from parents before marrying increased individualism, self-sufficiency, and changes in attitudes about families. In contrast, an earlier study by Williams cited below shows no significant gender differences in sex role attitudes as a result of non-family living. MLA format for the journal citation: Goldscheider, Frances Kobrin, Linda J. Waite, and Christina Witsberger. "Non-family Living and the Erosion of Traditional Family Orientations Among Young Adults." American Sociological Review 51 (1986): 541-554. The authors, researchers at the Rand Corporation and Brown University, use data from the National Longitudinal Surveys of Young Women and Young Men to test their hypothesis that non-family living by young adults alters their attitudes, values, plans, and expectations, moving them away from their belief in traditional sex roles. They find their hypothesis strongly supported in young females, while the effects were fewer in studies of young males. Increasing the time away from parents before marrying increased individualism, self-sufficiency, and changes in attitudes about families. In contrast, an earlier study by Williams cited below shows no significant gender differences in sex role attitudes as a result of non-family living. Directly quoted Source: Reference Department; Instruction, Research, and Information Services (IRIS); Cornell University Library; Ithaca, NY, USA -- Updated 20 September 2005 by Michael Engle, Reference Librarian; URL: http://www.library.cornell.edu/olinuris/ref/research/permission.html

26. “Validate”Your Subject : • In class, asking questions AND taking notes that the instructor gives regarding how the paper will be evaluated. • Re-reading your Writing Assignment for clues on good subjects or on ways to narrow the subject. Validate means get confirmation that your subject is right for your audience and meets the set of standards

27. After Choosing Subject After you choose a topic, you will write an Introduction. The Introduction usually, but not always includes your THESIS STATEMENT.

28. What is a Thesis Statement? • The MOST IMPORTANT SENTENCE in your paper • Lets the reader know the main idea of the paper • Answers the question: “What am I trying to prove?” • Not a factual statement, but a claim that has to be proven throughout the paper Slide Source: Purdue Online Writing Lab or Power Point

29. Role of the thesis statement • The thesis statement should guide your reader through your argument. • The thesis statement is generally located in the introduction of the paper. • A thesis statement may also be located within the body of the paper or in the conclusion, depending upon the purpose or argument of the paper. Slide Source: Purdue Online Writing Lab or Power Point

30. Hints to the type of Thesis Can be Gained byAsking Questions and Getting Answers So . . . Ask Yourself and Your Instructor What kind of paper am I supposed to write? • An analytical paper -- breaks down a concept into parts and presents an evaluation (judgment) of the issue or idea. Thesis can reflect your discussion of parts and conclusions you have drawn. • An expository (explanatory) paper explains something to the audience. Thesis can indicate that you will explain a concept and convince your reader that your explanation is valid. • An argumentative paper makes a claim about a topic and justifies this claim with specific evidence. • Some types of Arguments: policy proposal; an evaluation, a cause-and-effect statement, or an interpretation. Thesis highlights your opinion on the controversial issue. EVIDENCE EVIDENCE EVIDENCE

31. Thesis Must Relate to The Writing Assignment Example 1-- Analytical thesis statement: An analysis of the college admission process reveals two principle problems facing counselors: accepting students with high test scores or students with strong extracurricular backgrounds. • Your Writing Responsibility for the Paper is to: (1) explain (analyze) the college admission process; and (2)explain the two problems facing admissions counselors Source: Purdue Online Writing Lab or Power Point

32. Thesis Must Relate to The Writing Assignment • Example 2 -- Expository (explanatory) thesis statement: The life of the typical college student is characterized by time spent studying, attending class, and socializing with peers. • The paragraphs that follow should: discuss or prove that students spend their time studying, attending class, and socializing with peers Slide Source: Purdue Online Writing Lab or Power Point

33. Thesis Must Relate to The Writing Assignment • Example 3 -- Argumentative thesis statement: High school graduates should be required to take a year off to pursue community service projects before entering college in order to increase their maturity and global awareness. • The paper that follows should: (1) present an argument and; (2) give evidence to support the claim that students who pursue community projects before entering college become (a) more mature; and (b) more globally aware. Slide Source: Purdue Online Writing Lab or Power Point

34. Which thesis statement is the most effective for an argument about the need for V-chips in television sets? Tell Why? • Parents, often too busy to watch television shows with their families, can monitor their children’s viewing habits with the aid of the V-chip. • To help parents monitor their children’s viewing habits, the V-chip should be a required feature for television sets sold in the U.S. • This paper will describe a V-chip and examine the uses of the V-chip in American-made television sets. Slide Source: Purdue Online Writing Lab or Power Point

35. Best Argumentative Thesis Example Answer To help parents monitor their children’s viewing habits, the V-chip should be a required feature for television sets sold in the U.S. Remember: Arguments require statement of controversial opinions, not just facts. This one is better than others because it Meets the criteria for writing a thesis for an Argument.

36. Construct a “Working Thesis Statement” • Thesis -- one or two sentences stating an essay’s focus • Working Thesis is created first and then revised into the Thesis for your essay. • Working thesis is your opinion as it relates to your topic. It helps you develop a working outline.

37. Working Thesis Note: A Working Thesis may be revised many times. Remember, writing is recursive (writing and rewriting). Sample Working Thesis: In her poem “On the Pulse of Morning,” inaugural poet Maya Angelou compels listeners and readers to renew their minds; ironically, the poet presents non-human images, some that pre-date the modern English language and some that are in danger of extinction, in order to compel a contemporary generation to treat the world differently and hopefully better. (Revised) Thesis: Ironically, in her poem “On the Pulse of Morning,” Maya Angelou uses ancient and endangered images to inspire readers to renew human conscience. (Revised) Thesis: Maya Angelou, in her poem “On the Pulse of Morning,” revisits devastated images to alert the world audience to current and potential devastation.

38. Activity 2 -- Create a Working Thesis “Marks” by Linda Pastan My husband gives me an Afor last night's supper,an incomplete for my ironing,a B plus in bed.My son says I am average,an average mother, but ifI put my mind to itI could improve.My daughter believesin Pass/Fail and tells meI pass. Wait 'til they learnI'm dropping out. Right click mouse to pause or resume.

39. Activity (cont.) Revise this Working Thesis – The narrator in Linda Pastan’s poem “Marks” speaks of her family members’ shared habit of evaluating her performances in various roles; one might therefore deduce from the speaker’s tone that she is planning a secret, though perhaps not final departure. Hint: Your revision could focus on any one of the following: tone, figure of speech; metaphor; structure (rhythm, line length, line appearance, etc. Right click mouse to pause or resume.

40. Possible Revisionsof Working Thesis • The word choices that Linda Pastan uses in “Marks” cue readers to the speaker’s planned, but secret escape from domestic life. • In her poem “Marks,” Linda Pastan models a spirit of non-conformity through her “poetic prose” style.

41. Conclusion • SSS hopes this presentation has given you some useful information concerning the task of choosing a subject about which to write. • Please complete a Seminar Evaluation form before you leave and stop by SSS to complete an online Academic Seminar Summary so that we may document your participation. • Also, please feel free to suggest any other topics that you would like to see presented. Phone: 334-670-5985. • Thank you, and have a great learning experience here at Troy University.