TOPIC EXPLORATION: TO FIND, FOCUS AND SUPPORT A TOPIC

NAME:                                                 

CLASS:                                        ASSIGNMENT:

DATE:

FIRST: State the TOPIC or SITUATION to explore:

PART 1. FIRST THOUGHTS, PREJUDICES, PRECONCEPTIONS (100-200wds.): To jog ideas, maybe start with "When I think of (this topic/subject) it occurs to me______; I wonder about______; Then I think______;" etc. (<THESE PHRASES PROBABLY WILL NOT BE PART OF FINAL PRODUCT)-- Write quickly whatever occurs off the top of the head: hunches, feelings, images, wishes, snapshots of what you bring to this topic. [POSSIBLE USE IN FINISHED PROJECT: this material can provide insight into the writer's initial assumptions and serve as evidence of writer's thought process.] 

PART 2. MOMENTS, STORIES, PORTRAITS (100-200wds.): Sketch in any moments, events, and people that seem to be connected with this topic from personal experience, stories you've heard, seen on TV, read about etc. Don't try to explain or interpret, or intentionally connect them, just record as clearly as possible. Use the 5 senses and figurative language to capture the life in these specific, real world examples. [POSSIBLE USE IN FINISHED PROJECT: As evidence that's easy for a reader to understand which supports and explains key points or position--a way to use description to help reader experience the situation.]

PART 3. [OPTIONAL EXCEPT FOR POSITION PAPERS] STATE ANY OPPOSITE POINTS OF VIEW TO YOURS AND POSSIBLE REASONS: (list 3-5).  [POSSIBLE USE IN FINISHED PROJECT-Can serve as fair understanding of another point of view or start of counter-argument ]

PART 4. SAYINGS, LIES, MISCONCEPTIONS, QUESTIONS (list 5-10): Brainstorm assumptions people make about the topic/situation, folk sayings (i.e., a penny saved is a penny earned...), questions, etc., that you've heard, read about or just occur to you that relate to this topic. Don't explain them; simply list. [POSSIBLE USE IN FINISHED PROJECT: can help expand understanding of the issue in ordinary language or via relevant cultural values, and these can serve as provocative parts of a title for finished paper.]

PART 5. EXPLAIN THIS ISSUE/TOPIC TO A READER WHO HAS LITTLE OR NO KNOWLEDGE OF IT OTHER THAN WHAT YOU SAY (100-200wds.).If you do this more than once, try convincing a reader who has a very different view than yours to agree with you, or just to entertain your views. [POSSIBLE USE IN FINISHED PROJECT: Often, this is a keystone part of the presentation. The more accurate and clear this is worded, the better the reader understands the situation.]

PART 6. WHAT I SEEM TO BE SAYING, OR WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY IS... (50-75wds.). This can be inserted even 2-3 times in the loop to check the effect of any stage of the thinking. Loop must end with a part 6. [POSSIBLE USE IN FINISHED PROJECT: provide concise statements from which a working thesis/main claim and title can come. The substance of this part is really the core of the finished PROJECT. It also reveals your subtle reasoning.

 

Topic:

Position/opinion:

Main Reason:

Initial Thesis sentence: