1. The I-search Proposal Don’t get stuck with a dud!

2. Choosing the One Now that you are done with pages 19 & 20, you are ready to get engaged. You need to decide which topic is the one. If you are ready to commit and make the proposal, then follow these steps. Fill out page 21. Put your research question in the middle. For example: Should I go to Mexico or Europe for Spring Break? Now to fill out the outer circles, ask yourself, “What questions do I need answered to answer my big research question?” (the question in the middle) To answer this question, I need to know the following. (These questions go in the outer circles.) –What are the travel costs for each? –Where can I stay while I am there? –What can I see while I am there? –What are the travel requirements (passport/shots/etc.) –What can I eat while I am there? –Are there any dangers I need to be aware of? These questions are known as your subtopics and will help create your thesis statement, which of course will help organize your research and paper.

3. Still not sure? On a SEPARATE sheet of paper, create a web of questions for EACH potential topic (like page 21). A topic with lots of questions (the kind that are researchable) might be the one for you. Remember you want a topic that you will love forever (or at least until Nov. 6).

4. Moving on… Once you are done with page 21, see me to have it checked off. DO NOT PROCEED until you do this!

5. Now that page 21 is done, you are about to be engaged. Can you answer YES to these questions? Is this a topic that will prompt you to take some kind of action? Is this a topic in which you have found quality research, have looked at it, and have it available to you right now? Needed to get my approval Is this a topic you can for sure get two interviews (one face to face) and have the contact information for these people today! Needed to get my approval. Is this a topic that you can be faithful to? If you can answer yes to all of the questions, then you are closer to being engaged! Keep reading…

6. To finalize the engagement…fill out pages 22-24 COMPLETELY and THOROUGHLY. Please follow the directions for each page.

7. Page 22 Fill in each box with what it is asking for. Topic---Just one or two words Research question---From the middle circle of your web on page 21. Subtopic questions---From the outer circles of your web on page 21. Thesis statement---There is an example on the page. Notice how the parts of the thesis statement come from the subtopic questions listed above it? Thesis Statement: In order to learn how to start breeding my dog Fifi, I will need to find out how much it will cost, where to find potential mates, how much time it will take me, how to find a vet who can keep Fifi healthy during pregnancy, how to help with the whelping, and how to sell the puppies. Subtopic Questions: How much does it cost to breed a dog? Where would I find potential mates for Fifi? How do I make sure Fifi is healthy while she is pregnant? How do I find the best vet? How much time will I have to commit to breeding? What should I know about the whelping procedure? How do I sell the puppies Write the best thesis statement you can using the example as your model. It is a rough draft and will probably need to be revised.

8. Page 23: This is for Part 4---the primary research of your paper. YOU MUST FILL OUT ALL PARTS OF THIS PAGE TO GET MY APPROVAL. NO MARRIAGE BLESSINGS UNTIL IT IS FILLED OUT. When you are filling out the credentials part, you need to fully explain how this person counts as an expert on your topic. YOUR INTERVIEWS NEED TO BE COMPLETED BY MONDAY, OCTOBER 19. SCHEDULE THESE NOW!

9. Page 24: This is for Part 3---the secondary research of your paper. You must have 3 sources for your paper (only one can be a website). If you have more than 3 really good sources that is great.

10. Page 24 cont. In the first column, you should fill in the information about your source. If it is from a database, do not just put Proquest or E-library. Look on pages 35-37 of your handbook to figure out how to find the source information. The second column is where you should write down the kind of information this source contains. So that means you need to read the information before you record it on this sheet. Your source should answer one or more of your subtopic questions that you listed on page 22. Write down what questions this source answers! It is important that your source answers your questions. If it doesn’t, don’t use it!

11. Note to self Doing page 24 thoroughly will help you when we start research in October. This must be filled out with at least 3 sources before I will approve your topic marriage. Make sure you will be able to find these sources again. If it is a database or website, perhaps you could cut and paste the information (don’t forget the author, title, date, etc) to a Word document or print it out if you can. This will save you A LOT of time and hassle later. TRUST ME!

12. The ceremony … Once you are done (and I mean completely and thoroughly done) with pages 22-24, you must show it to me for premarital counseling. If I deem you and your topic a good fit (no bridezillas allowed) you are officially married. Congratulations. Good luck with your I-search. I hope you have a long and prosperous life together!