The ISearch Paper 25 of the Third Marking

The I-Search Paper 25% of the Third Marking Period

Choosing a Topic Something that really interests you! n Something that you know very little about n Something you once saw in a movie or on TV? l Something a friend told you about? l Something that sounds too unreal to be true? l

Choosing a Topic It is crucial that you choose a topic about which you know nothing or just little. n The first I-Search assignment hinges on your relative ignorance about the topic. n

Opposing Viewpoints n You can use this LMC database to brainstorm topic ideas. The sources are already organized according to “pro” and “con. ”

Mode n The I-Search paper is not an informational “report. ” It will be written in the persuasive mode. l You will be asked to defend a thesis position. n Concepts to avoid: l l Biography of. . . (just information) History of. . . (just information) Future of. . . (pure speculation) Impact of. . . (too broad to quantify)

n Make a list of at least ten topic possibilities based on the suggestions which follow or based on anything else that occurs to you as you view the following categorized list of previous student I-Search papers. . .

Communications Comparative mythology n “Fake news” n Movie violence n Censorship n Freedom of speech n Subliminal advertising n Urban legends n News Infotainment n

Government and Politics Immigration n Opioid addiction n Poverty in the U. S. n Carbon tax n European refugee crisis n ACA/Obamacare n Oil consumption n Communism and Socialism n

Health Fetal genetic manipulation n Insomnia n Antibiotic-resistant bacteria n The origin of Ebola n Alzheimer’s disease n Gluten-free diet n Savantism n

Historic Figures/History n n n n Finding Amelia Earhart D. B. Cooper The real Atlantis Purpose of Stonehenge The Holy Grail The Ark of the Covenant Salem witch trials Nazi treasure and stolen art

Psychology American culture of fear n Dreams and nightmares n Mindfulness n Multiple personalities n Cults and deprogramming n Insanity defense n “Free-Range” Parenting n

Social Issues Marijuana legalization n Native Americans rights n The income gap n College costs n Doctor-assisted suicide n Capital punishment n Video games and violence n

Local Issues Tyler Park deer hunt n Locavore movement n Fracturing for natural gas n Warminster/Willow Grove water contamination n Penn East pipeline n

Mythology/Parapsychology Modern witchcraft n Near-death experiences n Ghosts n Big Foot n The Bermuda Triangle n The Loch Ness Monster n Telekinesis n

Religion Voodoo as religion n The Book of Revelation n Jonestown, Guyana cult n Modern anti-Semitism n Faith healers n Pagan/modern holidays n Liberal Catholicism n

Science and Nature Glacial depletion n Mars travel n Jurassic Park? n Global climate change n Time travel n Animal intelligence n Genetically Modified Food n

Sports Salary caps n Concussions n Pros in the Olympic Games n Steroid use/doping n Hazing n Political expression n

Technology Nuclear power n 3 D-printed human organs n Alternative energy sources n DNA testing and justice n Cyber/computer warfare n Artificial intelligence/sentience n

In the next 24 hours Listen to friends’ and family members’ conversations n Tune in to news broadcasts n Click through online news sources or channel surf n

n DO NOT start by googling your topic. Rank order your three potential topic choices based on your immediate level of interest or excitement, and lack of prior knowledge