Minimum wages

Research Report 1 – Brainstorming Topic Ideas

Take some time and do some brainstorming. Think about topics that you are interested in and write down as many as you can. As you write down ideas, list what you would write about for each topic. This will help you generate and develop ideas for your writing this semester. Keep in mind that you are writing an argumentative paper, so you need to have a topic and an argumentative stance that you will take on the topic.

Next, take your brainstorming list of ideas and narrow it down to 3 potential topics and complete the following assignment. Make sure you read the list of banned topics for the course before completing this assignment.

1. List 3 topics that you are interested in writing about this semester. And yes, you must list 3.

2. For each topic, write one to two paragraphs explaining why this topic interests you, why it would be important and relevant to share with others, and the argumentative stance you would take on the subject.

3. For each topic, list at least 2 research sources that you know are available on the subject. This will require you to go to the Auraria Library database and do a keyword search on each topic.

Hint: If you do not know how to do a keyword search on a subject, go to the web links page within the course and click on the “Navigating Library Research” link to complete the tutorial. This tutorial will help you learn how to conduct research using the library database.

*Keep in mind that you will be selecting one topic to write about all semester, so if you have problems finding research on your subject, that may be a sign that you need to select another topic.

Assignment Specifications:

Length: 2 to 3 pages

Format: This assignment must be typed in 12 point font (Arial or Verdana) and be double spaced.

Make sure your assignment contains your name, the course number and section, the date, and the assignment description in the upper left hand corner of your paper. This information should be double spaced.

Your paper should also have page numbering in correct MLA format.

BANNED TOPICS

The following is a list of tiresome, overused research paper topics. These topics are banned in this course. Papers on these topics will receive an F.

Topics Not Allowed For Your Research Paper

•          Abortion

•          ADD or ADHD & how these illnesses are treated

•          Alternative Fuels

•          Alternative Medicine

•          Animal Testing

•        Breed legislation, such as the banning of Pit Bulls

•          Censorship

•          Cloning 

•          Death Penalty or Capital Punishment

•          Deforestation

•          Drinking and Driving

•          Euthanasia - including Living Wills, DNR Orders, Durable Medical Power of Attorney, and other similar documents

•        Evolution

•          Global Warming

•          Gun Control

•          Gun Ownership

•          Healthcare Reform or Universal Healthcare

•          Immigration Issues

•          Issues related to, and including, the events of September 11, 2001

•          Legalization of Drugs, such as the legalization of Marijuana

•          Medical Marijuana

•          Minimum Drinking Age -- including all issues related to underage drinking

•          Music and/or Movie Piracy

•          Pornography

•          Recycling

•          Religion or matters of personal faith - this includes support for or against your argument

•          Same sex marriage or civil unions 

•          Smoking and Smoking Bans

•          Stem Cell Research

•          Steroids and Performance-Enhancing Drugs and Supplements

•          Video Games [and other media] and violence

•          War in Iraq or Afghanistan

       Women’s body image and the impact of the media on body image