Start Your Engines, Part 1
Getting Started
This part of the writing discovery process is a little like push-starting a car. You need to a few tries to get the engine to turn over so you can get going. Once the tires are rolling, your project will pop into gear, and you will be on your way.
As this unit progresses, you will learn about the parts of the research process. If you complete your research step at the same pace as the unit, then you will have a much more enjoyable trip. (Don’t procrastinate!) Let’s start that first step: topic selection.
- Let's generate a topic or ten, based on the brainstorming you did in the introduction. Write down ten topics that make you curious to know more.
Sample: Dog training, the beginning of the world, the music genome project (Pandora radio), Wii technology, computer animation, my great great aunt Zelda who was a mobster’s secretary, spiders, changing weather patterns, evidence of aliens, how to become a chef, violence in video games... - Now, choose three that you are most exciting to you. Try to avoid topics that are too intensely personal. For instance, if I suffer from a disease, I may carefully consider choosing that topic. Objectivity (seeing something with unbiased eyes) is necessary for effective discovery.
- Do an Internet search on each topic in your list and decide if you are still interested in finding out more and if there is enough information about the topic out there. If quite a few web sites from reliable sources (national publications, sites ending in .gov, .edu, .org) have information, then your topic is likely to give you enough research information to go on.
- Select your topic. [Sample: violence in video games]
Go on to the next page, once you have chosen a topic. (Before you start writing, you will get to check your topic with your instructor to make sure it is the best topic for you.)
