What current problems, events, movements, concepts interest you?

Directions
For our Research Essay, you are going to create a unique argument addressing a current issue of your choice. This carries a great amount of freedom, but how we approach the Research Essay will be well structured. Before we discuss the requirements of the essay, I want you to write about your research interests outside of obligation and expectation. Like I said in this weeks lesson, in higher academics there is no prompt. You have to be the impetus for your academic and professional direction. I want everyone here to choose their own topic to guarantee authentic interest in the research and drafting process.

What current problems, events, movements, concepts interest you?

Keep in mind that your research essay will need to be connected to the Arts rather than the Sciences in general. This means that we cant write papers that would be better suited in a Computer Science, Biology, Chemistry, Environment, or Mathematics class. It will need to have a primary social and/or linguistic component to work in an English 1B class. Issues that have components in economics, sociology, psychology, philosophy, political science, linguistics, history, anthropology, ethics, social sciences, etc.–we need those for an English 1B research essay.

Example: If youre interested in Pollution and Climate Change, you wouldnt be able to write a claim of fact about them because those are scientific arguments; however, you could engage the socio-political elements connected to Pollution and argue something unique in there (like what exactly needs to happen, or what is being overlooked as a solution or key factor).

Before we worry about any requirements, what are your current research interests? What do you care about and why? Try to give more than one research interest, and for each, go into detail elaborating on its significance. Also, dig deep into sub-elements and details within your subject interest.

There are nearly infinite important arguments to be made about any significant event or issue. For example, the Covid crisis, or the Portland protests. There are universal categories to consider such as personal vs public rights, governance theory, propaganda, Constitution theory and interpretation, economic power structure, police structure, interpretation of the law, ethics, etc. Then, there are various modes we use to examine, explore, and argue: comparison, cause/effect, categorization, definition. –Nearly unlimited ways for us to dig deep into consequence and uniqueness of perspective and argument.

We engage our interests with detail, fervor, meticulousness, open-mindedness, and awareness. That’s the mindset! No casual, cursory, or lazy interests in the true academic. Your research interests don’t have to be intense, heavy, or urgent, though they can be. There is room for lighter topics.

Important Note: I want to read about your interests, not your argument. This is because your argument should change during the research process. We don’t know everything, and that’s why we research! As we educate ourselves our perspectives will change.