Prof. Craft - English 101 - Humor and Gender: Background Information

You can get ideas for research topics from several WCC article databases and from the Web.

• CQ Researcher: Browse Reports By Topic

  Browse the list of reports by topic to see all the reports related to health, social trends, criminal justice, international affairs, education, the environment, technology, and the economy in America CQ Researcher : Browse by Topic
• Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center

  Covers current social issues. Includes viewpoint articles, topic overviews, statistics, primary documents, links to websites, and full-text magazine and newspaper articles.  Opposing Viewpoints : Browse Issues

Words or phrases that are specific to your topic.

Major ideas related to your topic

People places, time periods that are relevant to your topic

Additional readings on your topic

Information thats answers basic information on your topic (the who, the what, the where, the when)

As you start  reading about topic you should start thinking of questions you want to answer with your research. 

Your questions should include the "Who, What, Where, When, How and Whys" of a topic.  At the start of research they should ask very general question about your topic such: The first set of databaes should provide answer to basic questions on your topic (such as bullying) such as

What is _________?

Where does it take place?

Who is affected by _____________?

As you read more about your topic you question should get more specific  your question should get more specific

 What are the causes of ________________?

What are the effects of ________________?

What are the “pro” arguments about_______________?

What are the “con” arguments about ______________?

What should be done about ______________?

These questions will help guide you as you complete your research and form the content of your speech.