Welcome back, all!
Today, I would like you to take some time to define a topic that you’d like to research and eventually, write an argument about. Let’s start there, rather than coming to the writing experience with strong opinions. Instead, let’s allow the evidence we gather from our research to guide the arguments we make.
Which topics matter most to you right now?
Which ones matter to others, too?
The prompts that follow might help you uncover worthy topics for research and argument writing
- What should we take care to PROTECT right now? How do your answers change when you consider this question through the lens of your experiences at home, in school, in your local community, in your state, or as a global citizen? How should they?
- What opportunities should we CHASE right now? Again, take some time to play with your perspective and vantage points. This will help you generate additional ideas.
- What is UNFAIR right now? Tackle this question from varied perspectives, too.
- What gives you incredible HOPE right now? Again, think about this from your vantage point as a family member, a student, a local community member, a citizen of your state, and a global citizen.
Once you’ve generated a list of potential topics, investigate the degree to which others share these interests, and most importantly, WHY.
How might you do this? Here are some ideas:
- Share a short list of your potential topics with as many friends as you can, and ask them which of those topics they are they most interested in. Probe a bit further, and ask them why they have these interests. Ask them to share their opinions, if they have any. Invite them to share the sources that are informing their opinions. Reflect quietly here. How will your research process compare? How should it? How can you serve your friends well, as a research and argument writer investigating a topic that you both care about?
- Investigate how people are talking about different topics inside of social spaces online. Analyze the engagement around them. Which topics are people exploring most often? Which conversations seem most fervent? Of all of the topics you’re interested in studying, which ones seem to matter to others most? How are they discussing them? How might you best contribute?
- Make an assessment of popular news headlines right now. What is being reported on? What should be? How could this influence your thinking, your learning, your process, and your work?
- Consider which of your potential topics should be of most important to your audience right now. If you were to research and then, share an argument about any one of them, which one would be of greatest service? Why?
You’Ve finished this lesson when:
–You’ve brainstormed a wide variety of potential topics for research and argument writing.
–You’ve tested the potential for different topics to engage a wider audience, in order to choose one that serves others’ well.
–You’ve considered the potential consequences of your contribution, as an argument writer.
–You’ve studied how your potential topics are currently being treated inside of social media exchanges and in the news media.
–You’ve narrowed your topic choices to just a few. Think on them overnight. We’ll define your specific topic in the next lesson.