Page 515 - Wordsmith A Guide to College Writing

Your instructor may assign a topic or area of investigation, or you may
be asked to choose your own topic. Within the range of choices you

are given, choose something that interests you. Once you have

selected a topic, your next job is to narrow it by formulating a research

question. In a personal essay, you would formulate a thesis at this

point. However, research deals with a question to be answered, not a

thesis to be proven, so writing a thesis at this point would be
premature.

Just as a thesis statement provides direction for your essay, a

research question provides direction for your research. For example,

let’s say that you decide your topic will be the Internet. When you look

for articles on such a broad topic, you may find too much information.
You will find information on the Internet as a business tool, a research

tool, and a communication tool. You will find information on the history

of the Internet and the future of the Internet. You will find articles on

Internet addiction, the Internet and pornography, and the Internet and

education. A research question will help you narrow your search to
articles in one specific area.

Suppose you decide on the research question, How can the Internet

be made safer for children? Now you have direction. You can focus

your search on articles dealing with children and the Internet and on
Internet safety. However, remember that your research question is

tentative. If you find a more interesting angle on your topic, don’t be

afraid to alter your question. If you cannot find enough information to

answer your question, write a whole new question. It is easier to