Subject:You may explore any subject that arouses your curiosity and interest. You might choose a topicrelatedto your career goals orthe field you plan to major in. Perhaps a certain topic in one of your other courses has piqued your curiosity. Perhaps an event or person from recent or earlier history would be worth learning more about. Perhaps in your reading, in conversation, or in viewing a film or television documentary, you have encountered a subject you would like to explore.Audience:Assume that the other members ofyour class are your audience. Write a paper that is appropriate for this audienceone thatthey will find informative and interesting.Voice:You are the author of this paper, and it should be an honest presentation of what you have learned. But remember that your readers interests, not yours, should come first. Although sometimes research writers use the word Iin their papers (e.g. when they present their personal experience as a source), the focus of the paper should be on the subject matter, not on you as a person.Information and opinion:Be certain that your paper is principally based on the findings of your research rather than on personal speculation. This does not mean, however, that your paper must avoid any ideas and opinions of your own. Your paper may adopt a point of view, but if it does, you should make it clear to your readers from the beginning.Sources: Your paper should be based on a variety of research, including (where appropriate) such secondary sources as books, periodicals/journal articles, newspapers, and websites. If you find that additional sources are appropriate for your topic, you should also interview or correspond with experts.
