ENG101: College Writing (Forman) Summer 2025

At the start of research, you need to choose a topic to research that meets the requirements of the class assignment. It is important to be sure the scope of the topic is not too broad and not too narrow so you can locate enough relevant information for your assignment.

Background research can help to develop your research topic because you will be more informed about the topic and subject area. Additionally, background research may help you to understand how to change your topic or focus before you perform in depth research. Google can be helpful for background information at the start of your research.

Your research question will help frame your research, because the research question is the question that your assignment will provide an answer to.

Some research question tips:

• Choose a question that is focused on an issue that is possible for you to answer with research. 
• Choose a question that cannot be answered with yes or no.
• Choose a question that can be proven/disproven with data.

A great way to brainstorm your question is to make a mind map! 

A mind map begins by writing your big topic in the center. You then begin to write down more specific things you know about that topic. 

For example, if your center topic is "Baseball", you might branch off to Stadiums, MLB, Uniforms, Jackie Robinson, etc.

Then, use those branches to keep brainstorming. Eventually, you'll begin to see patterns emerge, and can narrow your focus down to one, digestible topic. 

Here is an example of one I made for "climate change":

Some possible research questions I could use, based off this brainstorm:

• How has the political divide in the past decade impacted emergency preparedness as a nation?
• How would increasing funding for the infrastructure of public transportation in urban areas impact the amount of greenhouse gasses produced by American citizens? 
• How has Shein's unique manufacturing structure impacted the amount of emissions produced by the fashion industry overall?
• Is veganism an effective way to reduce the amount of greenhouse gasses produced by an individual?

See how one idea (climate change) can lead to so many different topics for your paper?