The Topic and Working Thesis

The Topic

The first thing that you need to do is to select a topic that you want to research and write about.  This is obviously an important step—the more your topic interests you, the more you will gain from the experience.  So choose carefully, considering what kinds of things you typically have an interest in and want to explore further.  If you get stuck on this step, ask yourself “What have I been thinking about lately?”  Answering this question is often a good first step in coming up with an interesting and personal research topic.  Use the resources below to help you come up with the topic.

Notes: (Print this form and use this space to work out your topic by brainstorming)

The Thesis

After you have decided on a topic, you can create a working thesis, which will serve as a guide directing your research.  Understand that the word ‘working’ means that this is not necessarily the thesis that you will ultimately include in your paper, but it is nevertheless important to develop this working thesis now so that you can narrow the focus of our research.  Although the final thesis will develop as you do your research, the process used to develop the working thesis is the same as developing any thesis.

Notes: (Print this form and use this space to work out your thesis)

Resources

Finding That Topic Topic Invention Techniques Guide to Building Your Thesis How to Write a Thesis Cliff's Notes: How to Write a Thesis

Don't Forget Chapter 11 in The College Writer's Reference

And for Your Own Search

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