Topic Development
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Transcript of Topic Development
The goal of topic development
is the
rough thesis statement.
Topic: Death Penalty
Research Question: Should the death penalty be outlawed?
Rough thesis: The death penalty should be outlawed.
Refined thesis:
The death penalty discriminates against race.
Select two or three topics Find introductory info on topic Create questions based on reading Develop a rough thesis
websitesYouTube
news articlesmovieslyrics
lecturesbooks
websitesYouTube
news articlesmovieslyrics
lecturesbooks
Read&
Think
Read&
Think
Cluster it
Classify it
Question it
Cluster it
Classify it
Question it
high schoolstudents
eatingdisorders
academicachievement
sexualorientation
datingissues
athletics
highschool
athletics
highschool
athletics
drug usedrug use
recruitmentrecruitment
hazinghazing
academicachievement
academicachievement
genderissuesgenderissues
Research Question:
Who uses drugs the most: athletes or non-athletes?
Rough thesis:
High school athletes consume more drugs than non-athletes.
Refined thesis:
High school athletes are less likely to use drugs than students who do not participate in sports.
Crime
Place: California Time period: 19th century Person/group: Native Americans Event/aspect: gold rush era Issue: how did the gold seekers
affectNative Americans?
Rough thesis:
Violence among the California gold seekers had a negative impact on Native Americans.
Topic: Interpersonal Dating Place: Time: Person/Group: Event/Aspect: Issue:
Cluster
Classify
Question
Cluster
Classify
Question
Begin with REPORTER-TYPE questions:
Who?What?Where?Why?How?
Topic: Internet
Place: U.S.Time: presentGroup: investorsAspect: online fraud
Who are the victims of internet fraud? Who tempts them?
Why do investors become victims of online scams?
How do these scams work? How do investors avoid them?
Iraq War
Select one or two topics Find introductory info on topic Create questions based on reading Develop a thesis
A thesis contains two parts:
topicopinion
assertion
conclusion
defense
attitude
Gun control reduces the crime rate.
Topic gun control
Assertion reduces the crime rate.
Picasso is one of the most influential artists of the 20th
century.
Topic Picasso
Conclusionis one of the most influential
artists of the 20th century.
Two basic types:
1. Argumentative
2. Informative
Gun control reduces the crime rate.
Picasso is one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.
During the 1960s, feminism was an important movement.
Feminism has been beneficial to women.
The mass extinction of the dinosaurs was caused by a huge asteroid colliding with the earth.
There are three major theories as to why dinosaurs became extinct.
A terminally ill patient has the right to refuse
medical treatment.
TV violence does not cause kids to act aggressively.
In most fairy tales, the monster is shown as a hideous creature with magical powers that must be destroyed.
A thesis contains two parts:
topicopinion
assertion
conclusion
defense
attitude
A thesis is not a statement of fact.
There are approximately 8,000 policemen working in New York City.
A thesis is not a promise or statement of purpose.
The purpose of this paper is to show how the U.S. economy works.
A thesis is not a a question.
Should adult pornography be censored?
a statement of fact a promise or statement of
purpose. a question.
Suicide is a serious problem.
There are too many plane collisions.
Blue is a better color than red.
Rough thesis: Global warming damages the earth.
Refined thesis: Many scientists say the use of fossil fuels contributes to global warming and could ultimately threaten the planet's future.
Rough thesis: Global warming damages the earth.
Refined thesis: Many scientists say the use of fossil fuels contributes to global warming and could ultimately threaten the planet's future.
Rough thesis: People should have their right to privacy.
Refined thesis: Individuals need to guard their right
to right privacy as computers make information gathering and retrieval increasingly easy.
Rough thesis: Stories about suicide cause people
to commit suicide.
Refined thesis: Televised news stories about suicide
trigger a significant rise in teen suicides.