Topic DevelopmentTopic Development

The goal of topic development

is the thesis.

How do I get started?

How do I get started?

Select two or three topics Find introductory info on topic Create questions based on

reading Develop a rough thesis

How do I find a topic ?

How do I find a topic ?

books articles WWW TV or movies life experiences

I got the topic, now what ?

I got the topic, now what ?

Read about it Explore it Think about it

Great topic, but too much info! Help!

Great topic, but too much info! Help!

You need to narrow your topic to a

manageable size.

How do I break down my topic?

How do I break down my topic?

Cluster it Classify it Question it

Cluster it!Cluster it!

high schoolstudents

eatingdisorders

academicachievement

sexualorientation

datingissues

athletics

Cluster itCluster it

highschool

athletics

highschool

athletics

drug usedrug use

recruitmentrecruitment

hazinghazing

academicachievement

academicachievement

genderissuesgenderissues

Cluster it!Cluster it!

Crime

Classify it!Classify it!

Place: Time period: Person/group: Event/aspect: Issue:

Classify it! Classify it!

Topic: Censorship

Place: U.S.

Time: present

Group: children and teens

Aspect: rap music

Issue: should it be banned?

Classify it! Classify it!

Topic: Dating Place: Time: Person/Group: Event/Aspect: Issue:

SummarySummary

Cluster it Classify it Question it

How do I start questioning a topic?

How do I start questioning a topic?

Begin with REPORTER-TYPE questions:

Who? What? Where? Why? How?

Question it!Question it!

Why: Why should pornography be censored?Why should pornography be censored?

What: What should be censored?What should be censored?

Who: Who advocates censoring Who advocates censoring pornography? pornography?

How: How will censoring pornography How will censoring pornography affect our right to freedom of speech?affect our right to freedom of speech?

Topic: Censor adult pornography?

Question it!Question it!

Does an individual have the right to die?

Should doctors help terminally ill patients commit suicide?

Will right to die laws cause widespread manipulation of suicide?

Topic: right to die

Question it!Question it!

eating disorders

SummarySummary

Select one or two topics Find introductory info on topic Create questions based on reading Develop a thesis

ThesisThesis

topicopinion

assertion

conclusion

defense

attitude

A thesis contains two parts:

ThesisThesis

Two basic types:

1. Argumentative

2. Informative

Argumentative

Argumentative

Cats are really a person’s best friend.

Sample thesisSample thesis

Topic Cats

Assertion are really a person’s best

friend.

InformativeInformative

Picasso is one of the most influential artists of the 20th

century.

Sample thesisSample thesis

Topic Picasso

Conclusionis one of the most influential

artists of the 20th century.

Sample ThesisSample Thesis

A terminally ill patient has the right to refuse

medical treatment.

Sample ThesisSample Thesis

TV violence does not cause

kids to act aggressively.

Sample ThesisSample Thesis

In most fairy tales, the monster is shown as a hideous creature with magical powers that must be destroyed.

ThesisThesis

topicopinion

assertion

conclusion

defense

attitude

A thesis contains two parts:

A thesis is not

A thesis is not

a statement of fact.

There are approximately 8,000 policemen working in

New York City.

A thesis is not

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 thesis is not

a question.

Should adult pornography be

censored?

Summary: A thesis is not

Summary: A thesis is not

a statement of fact a promise or statement of

purpose. a question.

Bad ThesesBad ThesesSuicide is a serious problem.

There are too many plane collisions.

Crime doesn’t pay.Comic books have changed over the years.

Blue is a better color than red.

Rough ThesesRough Theses

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.

ThesesTheses

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.

ThesesTheses

Rough thesis: Stories about suicide cause people

to commit suicide.

Refined thesis: Televised news stories about suicide

trigger a significant rise in teen suicides.

Narrow?Narrow?

Topic (General)

Thesis (Specific)