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RHW 102 Dr.Clinton Peters - First-Year Seminar in Writing

Define Your Topic

Define Your Topic 

When you first begin your research, it is helpful to search for background information surrounding your topic. Doing background research can help you identify keywords that might help you in your search. 

Brainstorm Ideas

  • What do you find interesting? 
  • Must be relevant to assignment.
  • Avoid topics that are too broad or narrow. 

Gather Background Info 

  • What terms do you need to know to better understand the issue? 
  • Who is affected by the issue? 
  • What are the main controversies? 
  • Who are the key figures and organizations? 
  • What significant events/policies have there been? 

 

Google Web Search

Once you have done some background research on your topic, you can begin to narrow down your search. You might need to conduct several different searches as you work to make sure your topic is not so general that you are overwhelmed with different search avenues, but also not so narrow that you have a difficult time finding articles. 

Take Concepts from the Assignment 

"Write about a musician (or band, composer, symphony, etc.) and use research and a thesis to argue for what is a less-obvious influence on their work. Contrastly, you may pick a musician(s) and argue for their lasting influence on either a style of music or an important musician."

Take Concepts from Background Information 

  • What biographical/historical information is important to understand your musician? 
  • What or who were the musical influences for your musician? 
  • What education & training did your musician receive? 
  • What are their major works? 
  • What is the most significant contribution of your musician? Why? 
  • Did their music change over time? How? Why? 
  • What specific musical elements do they incorporate into their work? 
  • What styles/themes do they explore? 
  • What other musicians have been influenced by them and who have they influenced in turn? 

Ask a Research Question 

  • How did Bruce Springsteen's early life experiences, including his upbringing in Freehold, New Jersey, and his exposure to American working-class culture, shape the themes and style of his musical career? 

Gather Your Keywords

  • Bruce Springsteen
  • early life and influence 
  • Bruce Springsteen and Freehold, New Jersey
  • working-class culture in Springsteen's music
  • Springsteen and American identity 
  • American working-class music
  • Bruce Springsteen's music and socio-economic themes
  • Springsteen's music and youth rebellion