ENGL U102 - Composition II - Richie: Focus Your Topic

Taking a few minutes to complete the following worksheet will be helpful for thinking about your topic and searching for sources.

It is important to come up with a research topic/question that is neither too broad or too narrow. 

 The 5 W's, described in the video below, are a helpful tool for focusing your research question/topic.

When you begin your research, you start with a broad topic. It is important that you focus your topic to make it manageable. For your assignment, you'll need to come up with a well-developed thesis statement.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Who is affected by the problem and what groups are involved? (people, culture, demographics)
• Who else cares about/has an interest in the problem?
• What is the issue?
• Where is your problem most important? (typically United States, but may be international)
• When is/was your problem most important? Most times, this is current (now).
• Why is this problem important to address?

Source: Mesa Community College. Determining your research question.