1. G ILL LIBR A RY
THE COLLEGE OF NEW ROCHELLE
RESEARCH AND INFORMATION
LITERACY ENG 216 A
SESSION 2
 Finding and Refining Your Topic
in Literature and Social Sciences
 Drafting a Thesis/ Research Proposal

2. CHOOSE A RESEARCH
TOPIC
 What interests you
• Something in the news?
• A personal or professional experience
• Something you have always wanted to know more about
 Approach that topic from a scholarly perspective

3. For example:
 “Norman…while watching news reports of the Iraq War, noticed
dry and barren land, yet history had taught him that this land between
the Tigres and the Euphrates rivers was formerly a land of fruit and
honey….What happened to it?
 Norman’s interest = world’s water supply
Excerpted from Lester and Lester. Writing
Research Papers. Page 10

4.  Browsing in National Geographic Norman finds an article
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2001/05/0518_crescent_2.html
The following is excerpted from the link above.
He learns:
Satellite technology shows:
 Over the last 40 years more than 30 + large dams have been built
that reduce available water and eliminate nourishing floodwaters
 Resulting in damage to the marshlands and devastation to
wildlife
 And reducing the water supply to the residents

5. He also learns that:
 Before satellites assessing environmental damage depended
upon each government’s “willingness and ability to investigate
conditions in their country.”
 Satellite technology now allows a clearer and more accessible
picture on environmental damage.
Norman’s question has expanded to include many
considerations

6. POSSIBLE SCHOLARLY
APPROACHES
1) the ethics the world’s distribution of water
2) the history of the global water shortage
3) environmental implications of the global water crisis
4) social implications of the global water crisis
5) the politics of assessing environmental damage

7. YOUR TURN
 Pick a topic based related to the Social Sciences
• Personal interest
• Recent News
• Conversations in person or through a social
network
• A subject covered in another class
• Something you have always wanted to know about

8. CONCEPT MAPPING
 Go to our Web site
 Session 2 Video on Concept Mapping

9. USE TOOLS TO FIND
AND DEVELOP IDEAS
 Encore Red Box on Library Homepage
 Classic Catalog Subject Search
 Online Subject Directory
 Online Discussion Groups: Humanities and Social Sciences Net Online
 Internet Keyword Search

10. EXERCISE ON CONCEPT
MAPPING
SEE HANDOUT

11. THE THESIS STATEMENT

12. A THESIS:
• Is a short statement summarizing the primary idea
of your paper
• Consists of one or two sentences
• Appears at the start of your paper, usually the last
sentence in your introductory paragraph
• Is developed, supported, and explained in the text
by means of examples and evidence.
• Is a roadmap for your readers!
• It gives your paper organization and clarity

13. Types of Theses covered in LTCA
•
•
•
•
Argumentative Essay (Persuasive)
Cause and Effect Essay (Explanatory)
Comparison and Contrast Essay (Analytical)
Literary Research Paper
(Research)
• What does your assignment require of you:
• Persuasion, analysis, reflection, research, make a claim

14. HOW TO CREATE A THESIS
 Determine
•
•
•
•
The type of paper you are required to create
Your Topic
Your Claim or Opinion
Identify all relevant points to support your claim
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sx42_C10zw

15. Let’s look at the
Argumentative Essay

16. ARGUMENTATIVE OR
PERSUASIVE ESSAY
 “An argumentative or persuasive piece of writing must begin
with a debatable thesis or claim… something that people could
reasonably have differing opinions on.”
• Not debatable: Pollution is bad for the environment
Vs
• Debatable: America’s anti-pollution efforts should focus on
privately owned cars
In this example there is also room for disagreement between rational
individuals. Some ..might think focusing on recycling programs rather
than private automobiles is the most effective strategy.
• Don’t avoid the opposite opinions… Be prepared for them so you
can make your paper stronger!”
Excerpted from The Owl at Purdue
(read more)

17. KEEP IT NARROW
 Your argument should be specific
• Too Broad: Drug Use is Detrimental for Society
• Narrower, more specific:
Illegal drug use is detrimental because it
encourages gang violence.

18. REMEMBER
 Your thesis statement should be specific—it should cover only
what you will discuss in your paper and should be supported with
specific evidence.
 Your topic may change as you write, so you may need to revise
your thesis statement to reflect exactly what you have discussed in the
paper.