pursue any topic

For your research paper, you may pursue any topic that meets ALL of the following criteria: –the topic stems from one of our readings from 50 Essays Brent Staples Just Walk on By: Black Men and Public Space –the topic lends itself to analysis –the topic means something to you, emotionally or intellectually –the topic can be shaped, narrowed, and limited so as to yield a strong thesis that can be adequately addressed in an 10 page paper. Remember that a research paper is a synthesis of materials. You will select sources that can teach you something about your selected topic; you will select materials from those sources that can help you support the thesis that you devise for your essay.

LENGTH: 10 pages, exclusive of Works Cited page
GOAL: Your goal is to provide a balance of information and interpretation.
MODE: Any combination of modes that is best suited to developing your thesis.

Research: 7 – 10 sources, half of which may be website resources.
(Note: Articles that you access via the internet but were originally published in print form do not count as website resources.)

Topic: For your research paper, you may pursue any topic that meets ALL of the following criteria:
–the topic stems from one of our readings from 50 Essays
Brent Staples Just Walk on By: Black Men and Public Space
–the topic lends itself to analysis
–the topic means something to you, emotionally or intellectually
–the topic can be shaped, narrowed, and limited so as to yield a strong thesis that can be adequately addressed in an 8 to 10 page paper.

Remember that a research paper is a synthesis of materials. You will select sources that can teach you something about your selected topic; you will select materials from those sources that can help you support the thesis that you devise for your essay.