English 1101/1102: Get Started

Understand the type of assignment you've been given.  Here are a few types of papers that are common:

• Exploratory--present information on a topic
• Argumentative--discuss two or more sides to an issue, persuading the audience that a position/opinion has more evidence to support it
• Compare/Contrast--explore the differences and similarities of two issues or things that have a common purpose
• Explication--explain / interpret a creative work, such as poetry, paintings, stories, etc.
• Critique/Analysis--analyze the effect/value of a project

Choose a topic. 

Choose the type of resources you need based on the topic.

• Basic facts, overview--reference works, including encyclopedias.  Some websites
  
• Interviews, opinions--newspaper articles.  Some websites.
  
• In-depth, historical--books. 
  
• Research and analysis--journal articles.
  

• You can find what others have written on it/against it and can use this to support your argument. 
• You can discuss a new or different aspect of it.  Ask How? Why? What? Where? When? questions
• It is focused enough to match the scale of your assignment
• It can be modified based on the information that you find
  
• It is interesting to you!

Not focused enough: 

• Pollution
• Global Warming
• Gun rights
  

Better:

• How does pesticide use in agriculture impact soil and groundwater pollution?
• How have ideas of global warming affected popular movies?  (If this is unproductive, change global warming to natural disasters)
• Three good reasons why fourteen-year olds should be able to use guns.

• Review chapters in your textbook
• Browse magazines & newspapers for topics of interest
• Reflect on issues in your intended profession, career or discipline
• Expand on a topic discussed in class
• Talk with your advisor/instructor