Topic Stuff for Research -- Due on a separate, typed sheet Wednesday, 4/24.  Please use complete sentences and proofread carefully.
First. No: skateboarding, surfing, particular cars or planes, snowboarding, mass murderers/criminals, bios of sports stars or celebrities, rock or rap stars, animals just because they're cute, mafia/gangsters, guns/weapons, video games, Disney or Disneyland, topics you already know "everything" about or have reported on before... And most importantly, no encyclopedia papers; no "all about _____."
Second. If you choose to do a biography, it must be about a person who has had a major impact on society. Your thesis /controlling question should be about what that impact was. This person should, in most cases, have been dead for a while.
Third. On a separate, typed sheet (save it on your computer, or here at school), write four paragraphs that explain:
1. Why you're interested in researching this topic. (Why you care.)
2. What you already know or think you know about this topic.
3. What you want to find out. Ask at least five (5) in-depth questions (not yes/no type). Ten or more would be better.
4. Several possible sources of information, besides the internet.
Then, in a final paragraph, tell which of your questions will be your "controlling question," and predict what you think you might find out. This will be the "point" of your research.This will become your thesis. Examples:
 

Topic Stuff for Research -- Due on a separate, typed sheet Wednesday, 4/24. Please use complete sentences and proofread carefully.
First. No: skateboarding, surfing, particular cars or planes, snowboarding, mass murderers/criminals, bios of sports stars or celebrities, rock or rap stars, animals just because they're cute, mafia/gangsters, guns/weapons, video games, Disney or Disneyland, topics you already know "everything" about or have reported on before...
Second. If you choose to do a biography, it must be about a person who has had a major impact on society. Your thesis /controlling question should be about what that impact was. This person should, in most cases, have been dead for a while.
Third. On a separate, typed sheet (save it on your computer, or here at school), write four paragraphs that explain:
1. Why you're interested in researching this topic. (Why you care.)
2. What you already know or think you know about this topic.
3. What you want to find out. Ask at least five (5) in-depth questions (not yes/no type). Ten or more would be better.
4. Several possible sources of information, besides the internet.
Then, in a final paragraph, tell which of your questions will be your "controlling question," and predict what you think you might find out. This will be the "point" of your research. This will become your thesis. Examples: