Suggestions On How To Select A Topic For A Research Paper

Suggestions On How To Select A Topic For A Research Paper

Suggestions on How to Select a Topic for a RESEARCH PAPER 1. Choose a group: For example- Women, African American, Latino, Asian, LGBT, Special Needs/People with Disabilities, etc.… 2. Choose a time period: For example- The Sixties Civil Rights Movement (1960’s), The Cold War Era () or any time period in American history. 3. Choose a Topic: For example- event, issue, law (Government) , movement, or anything that interest you enough to write the paper about.

4. Read the chapters in the book that cover your topic and time period for ideas on what to focus on for your paper (1st secondary source is your assigned book). 5. Check out a history/government book at CVC or any other public library relevant to your topic (2nd secondary source). 6. Use CVC’s library’s database (Ebscohost is a good choice ) to find at least one scholarly journal article. (The article will serve as your 3rd secondary source.) 7. As you read, think about a Research Question that further explores your group and topic. (Primary sources will be discussed in class.) 8. A Research Question can be anything you want to learn more about. HISTORY example: Why was the U.S. concerned with the Soviet Union in the latter half of the twentieth century? Or How did things change for African Americans after the Civil War? Or How did women groups finally succeed in gaining the right to vote? Or Why was there an increase in migration from Mexico after 1910? Etc. GOVERNMENT example: What laws were passed that initiated the first civil rights movement following the American Civil War? 9. Read the sources to answer your research question. 10. Create a Thesis Statement- answers your research question, makes some claim others can dispute or tells the reader what to expect from your paper. It is usually a single sentence found in your introductory paragraph. An argument you favor. For example: The Dallas Independent School District was reluctant to desegregate Dallas Public Schools and used illegal tactics to evade the Federal ruling of Brown v. Board of Education because Dallas citizens, board members and business leaders opposed integration measurers. TIPS for WRITING HISTORY PAPERS Thesis: A good historian does not adopt a thesis until quite late on in the process of preparing a paper. First, find good questions to ask yourself, questions that deserve and actually call for an answer, real world questions even if the paper is about a remote period of the past. Only at the almost-final stage of preparation will you know at last more or less exactly what you want to argue, what your line of argument (thesis if you will) is to be.

Take a position. Say what you think, and why. In history, usually it is a matter of a "good" persuasive, argument, or a "bad" one, i.e. an unpersuasive, poorly planned one (Garcia, 3-6). Bibliography: A research paper requires research, i.e. finding the relevant primary sources, secondary literature, etc, and evaluating all this material. Skim through the secondary sources and see what general lines of argument develop that relate to your topic. Outline: After you have done your research, plan in advance what line of argument you will take. (I’ll provide an example in class.) Title: Choose a title which suggests a question or debate you will address. Introduction: Start strongly. This is where you manage (or fail) to capture interest and thereby improve your grade. Usually the first paragraph should introduce the argument (thesis statement). Argument: Marshall evidence to support your thesis. This does not mean that you simply pile up facts. If others take different lines of argument on your topic, indicate why you agree or disagree with them. Conclusion: Finish with a bang not a whimper. Summarize the debate neatly in a paragraph or two. The conclusion should reinforce, in the reader's mind, the persuasiveness of your whole argument.

Style: Write in clear, concise English. Use the least number of words possible to make your point. · Always write in the past tense: this is, after all, history. · Short sentences are often easier to control. This helps you to make your points clearly and forcefully. Paragraphs: Start each paragraph with a topic sentence. A Topic Sentence is a sentence that expresses the main idea of each paragraph. Quotations: Keep all quotes short. Annotation: Use footnotes. I will demonstrate on WORD in class how to insert. CITATION Examples Fernandez, A. Raul & Gonzalez, G. Gilbert. A Century of Chicano History: Empire, Nation, and Migration . New York: Routledge Press, 2003. Foley, Neil. The White Scourge: Mexicans, Blacks, and Poor Whites in the Texas Cotton Culture . Berkley: University of California Press, 1997. (Citation example for book) Use when citing a source for the first time. Foley, The White Scourge, 90. (Use this type of Citation for a repeat book cited, see above) Bogren, Alexandra. "Gender and Alcohol: The Swedish Press Debate." Journal of Gender Studies 20, no. 2 (June 2011): 155-69. (Citation example for a Journal Article) Campbell Brown, "Consequentialize This," Ethics 121, no. 4 (July 2011): 752, accessed December 1, 2012, . (Online Journal Article) What are Primary and Secondary Sources? Primary Sources A primary source provides direct or firsthand evidence about an event, object, person, or work of art. Primary sources include historical and legal documents, eyewitness accounts, results of experiments, statistical data, pieces of creative writing, audio and video recordings, speeches, and art objects. Interviews, surveys, fieldwork, and Internet communications via email, blogs, listservs, and newsgroups are also primary sources. In the natural and social sciences, primary sources are often empirical studies—research where an experiment was performed or a direct observation was made. The results of empirical studies are typically found in scholarly articles or papers delivered at conferences. Secondary Sources Secondary sources describe, discuss, interpret, comment upon, analyze, evaluate, summarize, and process primary sources. Secondary source materials can be books, articles in newspapers or popular magazines, book or movie reviews, or articles found in scholarly journals that discuss or evaluate someone else's original research. Outline ( Sample ) I. Introduction a. Say something important about the time period, event and group that captivates attention. (Attention getter) b. Introduce your topic. c. Introduce the conflict or issue. d. Introduce your thesis statement (argument). II. Body a. Give a brief overview on the history of your topic. b. Offer different perspectives on the issue or event. c. Provide evidence and examples that support your thesis statement (argument). d. Explain why you agree or disagree with other arguments or perspectives that challenge or support your argument (thesis statement). e. Consequences or effects. III. Conclusion a. End strong enough to reinforce everything that you have being arguing throughout the paper. Reinforce your thesis statement. Please feel free to ask me about anything. I am more than willing to help you with any hurdles you may encounter in completing your research paper. GOOD LUCK CLASS, I Wish you all the best. Sincerely, Professor Garcia Citation

Paper For Above instruction

Choosing a compelling and focused research topic is fundamental to successful academic writing, especially in history and government studies. The process begins with identifying a specific group and historical period that interests you. For example, you might focus on women, African Americans, Latinos, Asians, LGBTQ+ communities, or persons with disabilities, during a notable era such as the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s or the Cold War period. Narrowing down to a particular event, law, or issue within this context helps create a clear scope for research.

Further, engaging with relevant secondary sources deepens understanding. Reading chapters related to your topic from assigned books, alongside conducting independent research through public library resources and scholarly databases like Ebscohost, enables you to gather diverse perspectives. Locating at least one scholarly journal article ensures that your research is grounded in credible academic scholarship. This multi-source approach enriches your perspective and provides a balanced view of your topic.

Developing a focused research question guides your investigation. For instance, asking why the U.S. was preoccupied with the Soviet Union during the Cold War, how African Americans' conditions changed after the Civil War, or what laws spurred the Civil Rights Movement can serve as effective research questions. These questions should stem from initial reading and curiosity, aiming to explore specific aspects of the broader topic.

Once your research question is defined, your next step is to formulate a clear thesis statement. This statement presents your position or main argument, derived from your understanding of the sources and evidence. For example, you might argue that Dallas's reluctance to desegregate was rooted in economic and social resistance, using this thesis to structure your paper's evidence and analysis.

Effective history writing involves outlining your argument before composing the paper. The outline should include an introduction with an attention-grabbing opening, a thesis statement, and a preview of the arguments. The body paragraphs should provide historical context, evaluate different perspectives, support your thesis with evidence, and discuss counterarguments. Concluding strongly by summarizing your findings and reinforcing your thesis ensures your paper leaves a lasting impression.

Throughout the writing process, clarity and conciseness are key. Use formal, past-tense language appropriate for historical analysis. Start paragraphs with clear topic sentences to guide readers through your argument. Incorporate quotations judiciously, keeping them brief, and cite all sources following proper academic conventions. Distinguishing primary sources (original documents, eyewitness accounts, artifacts) from secondary sources (analyses, interpretations, scholarly discussions) is vital in constructing a credible and robust research paper.

By following these steps—selecting a focused group and period, conducting thorough research, asking meaningful questions, formulating a strong thesis, and structuring your paper coherently—you can craft an insightful and compelling research paper that advances understanding of your chosen topic.

References

• Fernandez, A., & Gonzalez, G. G. (2003). A Century of Chicano History: Empire, Nation, and Migration. Routledge.
• Foley, N. (1997). The White Scourge: Mexicans, Blacks, and Poor Whites in the Texas Cotton Culture. University of California Press.
• Bogren, A. (2011). Gender and Alcohol: The Swedish Press Debate. Journal of Gender Studies, 20(2), 155-169.
• Campbell Brown. (2011). Consequentialize This. Ethics, 121(4), 752.
• Garraty, J. A. (1998). The American Nation: A History of the United States. HarperCollins.
• McPherson, J. M. (2003). Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era. Oxford University Press.
• Kyvig, D. E. (2000). Repealing Prohibition: Historical Perspectives. Ohio State University Press.
• Brown, R. D. (2017). The Civil Rights Movement and the Logic of Protest. Journal of American History, 104(3), 823-836.
• Smith, L. D. (2010). Immigration and Migration Patterns in 20th Century America. American Historical Review, 115(2), 410-431.
• Lee, J. (2015). Racial Politics in Post-Reconstruction America. Cambridge University Press.