2. CHOOSING A TOPIC
Pick an issue that …
you feel strongly about.
controversial.
hasn’t been done too many times.
Can you find evidence to support your
opinion?
Who cares?
Will you understand the research?

3. PITFALL #1
Broad topic…
Too much information.
Could not fit all of the information in 5
paragraphs.
Write a book about the topic? Too broad!
Examples:
Sports
Global warming
Agriculture

4. PITFALL #2
Narrow topic…
Too little or no information.
Cannot successfully develop 5 paragraphs.
Zero results--too narrow!
Examples:
T-ball injuries among elementary students
Effect of weather changes on algae growth
Rodenticide Act’s effect on farmers in
Midwest

5. Peruse Opposing
Viewpoints
Search the web
and just see
what is out
there
Make a list of
interesting
topics
Fill out the
Research Task
Form!!
WHAT DO I DO?
Your LibGuide!! 

6. GOOGLE WONDER WHEEL
Takes your topic and your search and
narrows it for you
Type your topic into Google search
window
Choose Wonder Wheel on the left menu
Let the magic begin!
Google Wonder Wheel

7. an original fundamental
and authoritative
document pertaining
to an event or subject
of inquiry; a firsthand
or eyewitness account
of an event
Examples:
 Autobiography
 Personal records
 Photographs
 Letters
 Certificates &
Licenses
 Manuscripts
 Artifacts
PRIMARY SOURCES

8. any document that
describes an
event, person,
place, or thing,
not created
contemporaneou
sly
Examples:
 Biography
 Textbooks
 Journal
Articles
 Criticisms
SECONDARY SOURCES

9. RESEARCH TIME & HOW TO USE IT
 Opposing Viewpoints
 Google Wonder Wheel
 Research Task Form

10. TOMORROW
Research form done
Get topic approved by Mr. Rabbitt
Find 3-5 sources
Create works cited

11. WORKS CITED
“Primary Source." Def. 1. Dictionary.com. Web. 29 Nov. 2010.
<http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/primary+source>.
"Secondary Source." Def. 1. Dictionary.com. Web. 29 Nov. 2010.
<http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/secondary+source>.