Choosing Your TopicYou will want to “love” what you’re writing about!

Your Mission:• Write a 5-7 page persuasive research

paper about an issue or topic that has opposing sides.

• You are not researching the problem; you are researching the solutions to those problems.

• A minimum of five sources are required to serve as evidence for your thesis.Copy this mission onto a note card and

place in the front of your portfolio.

Hacker book, pg. 92

Choose a Narrow Question.Choose a Challenging QuestionChoose a Grounded Question

Narrow Questions:Remember, it’s only a 5-7 page paper.

Broad• What are the

effects of school uniforms?

Narrow• Do school

uniforms truly decrease school violence?

• Do school uniforms effect bullying in high schools?

Narrow Questions:Remember, it’s only a 5-7 page paper.

Broad• What are the

hazards of fad diets?

Narrow• What are the

hazards of low-carbohydrate diets?

You try it this timeBroad Topic

• Cell PhonesNarrow topic

• In question form………

• You have one minute to think of two narrowed topics.

• Now pair/share

• Now class share

Ask a Challenging QuestionDon’t be predictable!

Predictable/Bland• Is child abuse

wrong?

• Is it important for teenagers to exercise?

Challenging/Controversial

• Is spanking a child wrong?

• How does exercise affect student’s academic performance?

You try it this time. . . Bland/Predictable

Is steroid use in sports bad?

Challenging/Controversial• In question form. . . • You have ONE minute

to think of ONE challenging question

• Now pair/share. . .

• Now class share. . .

Choose a Grounded Question

Speculative• Should prayer be

allowed in public schools?

• Should people have the right to copy professional photographs?

Opinion Based

Grounded• How does religious

diversity effect a school’s social climate?

• How has easy copying technology changed the professional photography industry?

Data Driven

You try it this time. . . Speculative

Is it wrong to share music files on the

internet?

Grounded• In question form. . . • You have ONE minute

to think of ONE GROUNDED question. . .

• Now pair/share. . .

• Now class share. . .

You Choose the Better Issue• Do SAT scores

thoroughly predict college success?

OR

Should SAT tests be abolished?

• Should teenagers be allowed to use social networks like Facebook and MySpace?

OR• How does

Facebook and MySpace effect a teen’s ability to communicate and socialize.

You Choose the Better Issue

• Should schools be required to serve healthy lunches?

OR

How do healthy school lunches affect student performance?

• Does technology increase student understanding, learning, and scores?

OR

• Should classrooms provide technology for students to use?

What is your opinion?

• As you choose a topic, keep an open mind. You don’t have to know a lot about the topic or have an opinion about it. Your research will help you learn more about your topic and your discoveries will help you form an opinion and write about your solutions to the problem.

Warning: Review from Last Class

What are you interested in?

• Choose a topic that has a personal interest or connection. Don’t choose a topic because it’s easy to find information about it. Be ready to “dig” for information about something that really interests you.

Warning: Review from Last Class

OFF LIMIT TOPICS!!!!• Abortion – Too broad and emotional

• Global Warming – Over done

• Legalizing Marijuana – Way over done. This issue has gone up in smoke!

Warning: Review from Last Class

Core Group Project• Meet with your group and present your 3

topics.• Group will select the most “interesting”

topic .• Select a name for your publication• Design your Front Page.– Add your pictures– Caption each picture with a controversial

“question.”– Sign off on your poster– Present!!!