1. Narrowing a Topic for Research Mrs. Kessler 8 th Grade English Research Paper Project

2. Questions to consider… Can I find enough for a 3 to 4 page paper? Is my topic too broad for a 3 to 4 page paper? Do I have time to get the information I need? Is the topic interesting enough to hold my attention?

3. Ways to narrow a topic One way to narrow a subject is to make a cluster chart. (We have already done this method). Another way to narrow a topic is to make an inverted pyramid.

4. The Inverted Pyramid List the general top at the top (Example: Bumblebees) Now list something specific about the general topic you would like to study (Example: The two types of bumblebees) Now list a question you would like to answer about the broad question above (Example: What are the job functions in the bee colony of the two types of bumblebees? GENERAL BROAD LIMITED

5. Guided Practice Pretend you are going to research popular music for your research project. This is pretty general. Let’s narrow this very general topic to something limited and specific.

6. Guided Practice Birds Canadian geese The migration patterns of Canadian geese

7. Preparing to research We have had two days to do some preliminary research. Up until this point, your research has not really been focused on the limited topic. Before you can dive into researching for this limited topic, you have to ask yourself some questions…..

8. KWL Chart for Planning Research KWL Sheet For Mrs_ Kessler.htm

9. Research Questions Look at the “W” column of your chart. Take the things you want to know and make questions and of them. These questions need to be written on your “Reporter’s Notes” handout.

10. Researching with a purpose Now that you have refined your topic to a limited focus, established what you already know and want to know about your topic, and asked some research questions; your research time will be better spent and more productive.

11. Vocabulary Terms Refined: to make something exact and specific Limited focus: a very specific aspect of a topic (example: the migration patterns of Canadian geese)