Topic Development The goal of topic development is the thesis.

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 ?  books  articles  WWW  TV or movies  life experiences

I got the topic, now what ? * Read about it * Explore it * Think about it

Great topic, but too much info! Help! You need to narrow your topic to a manageable size.

How do I break down my topic?  Cluster it  Classify it  Question it

Cluster it! high school students eating disorders academic achievement sexual orientation dating issues athletics

Cluster it high school athletics drug use recruitment hazing academic achievement gender issues

Cluster it! Crime

Classify it! Place: Time period: Person/group: Event/aspect: Issue:

Classify it! Topic: Censorship Place: U.S. Time: present Group: children and teens Aspect: rap music Issue: should it be banned?

Classify it!  Topic: Dating  Place:  Time:  Person/Group:  Event/Aspect:  Issue:

Summary  Cluster it  Classify it  Question it

How do I start questioning a topic?  Begin with REPORTER-TYPE questions:  Who?  What?  Where?  Why?  How?

Question it! Why should pornography be censored?  Why: Why should pornography be censored? What should be censored?  What: What should be censored? Who advocates censoring pornography?  Who: Who advocates censoring pornography? How will censoring pornography affect our right to freedom of speech?  How: How will censoring pornography affect our right to freedom of speech? Topic: Censor adult pornography?

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! eating disorders

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

Thesis topic opinion assertion conclusion defense attitude A thesis contains two parts:

Thesis Two basic types: 1. Argumentative 2. Informative

Argumentative  Cats are really a person’s best friend.

Sample thesis  Topic  Cats  Assertion  are really a person’s best friend.

Informative  Picasso is one of the most influential artists of the 20th  century.

Sample thesis Topic Picasso Conclusion is one of the most influential artists of the 20 th century.

Sample Thesis  A terminally ill patient has the right to refuse medical treatment.

Sample Thesis  TV violence does not cause  kids to act aggressively.

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

Thesis topic opinion assertion conclusion defense attitude A thesis contains two parts:

A thesis is not  a statement of fact.  There are approximately 8,000 policemen working in New York City.

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 question. Should adult pornography be censored?

Summary: A thesis is not a statement of fact a promise or statement of purpose. a question.

Bad Theses  Suicide 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 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.

Theses 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.

Theses 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? Topic (General) Thesis (Specific)