Finding a Topic (3.1.1-2)
You are looking for something that interests both you AND others: follow your nose, but prepare to answer the question “who cares”
- Create a mind map of your thesis interests
- List a dozen sources and describe the zig-zag that has helped you narrow your interest from something general to something more ≥ limited and particular
Transforming a topic to a question (3.3)
Questions you ask
- Larger development
- Internal history
- Context of a larger structure
- Fit together as a system
- How categorized (kind)
- Comparison to other things like it
- Positive into negative questions
- Asking “what if?”
Questions your sources ask
- Extend their reach
- Suggest new evidence
- Asking analogous questions
- Find disagreement
So What? (3.4)
- Complete the sentences: “I am studying … because I want to find out …”
Why did you ask your first question (3.4.3)
- in order to help my reader understand …