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Research essays

Writing that matters

In The Purposeful Argument: A Practical Guide, writing instructors, Harry Phillips and Patricia Bostian believe that "when students are encouraged to honor and respond to issues that matter to them, their investment becomes evident and the writing purposeful" (xvi).

Choose a topic

If you have a choice, choose

  • an area of interest (you will write a better paper when you are interested in the topic)
  • a question you want to answer
  • a subject that will expand your knowledge in a chosen field

Develop ideas

  • Brainstorm alone or with others
  • Freewrite to explore your thoughts
  • Draw a diagram or make a list of your ideas

Freewrite

Freewriting helps you

  • gain an understanding of your topic
  • develop a perspective on your topic
  • create a foundation you can build on as you read research material

Write down anything you

  • already know
  • would like to know
  • have questions about
  • think or believe
  • have an opinion about

Additional information to help you choose a topic: