SMFA ENGS 1

Research is a messy, creative, and powerful process that ultimately leads to learning and the creation of new knowledge. 

An important part of the research process is turning your interests into topic ideas. A good topic should:

• Spark your interest and curiosity
• Inspire deep and critical thinking
• Change as you learn more

Great topic ideas take time to develop. 

Distilling topic ideas into single words and short phrases is an important step in the research process. It helps you:

• Focus and refine your thinking
• Prepare to search resources like library databases, do more targeted searching on the open web

Example topic:

Sondra Perry’s “Resident Evil” & systemic racism in law enforcement

Your topic is what you will explore via research, critical engagement, and writing. It might shift and change, but you identify it early in the research process.

Your thesis is the argument you are making about your topic, informed by your research. It should come later in your research process, after you have critically engaged with a diverse array of sources. 

Research is a process; you must learn about a topic before you can make an informed, intelligent argument. Remember that you are taking part in a scholarly conversation-- just as in a "regular" conversation, you can't successfully participate unless you're listening to what other people have to say.