In what ways is the topic open to dispute? Try to consider two reasons for and two reasons against. Also, try to consider what you know others to have said about the topic, too:

Topic for Exploration:

1. What personal experience do you have with this topic?

 

 

 

2. In what ways is the topic open to dispute? Try to consider two reasons for and two reasons against. Also, try to consider what you know others to have said about the topic, too:

 

 

 

3. What kind(s) of binary thinking will you need to avoid?

 

 

1. How can you refine the topic (i.e., narrow your focus to take up just one specific aspect of your interest the topic)?

 

 

 

2. Identify an issue:

 

 

 

3. Formulate your topic as a question:

 

 

Short Paper 2.1: Reflection                          Name:____________________

After you have finished the paper and submitted it online, please fill this out by hand and bring it to class to turn in on Monday, May 2.

1. In plain language, explain the topic that you are proposing to research. What is it about that topic that interests you personally? What problem related to that topic will your paper address, and why is that a problem? Even though you haven’t done much research yet, what do you anticipate might be a practical solution to that problem?
2. What is the community to which you belong that is affected by your topic? What different kinds of views does the community hold about the topic? More importantly, what do you think people outside the community think about the topic, and why?
3. What kind of preliminary research did you do to prepare this proposal?