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AFRS 115: University Writing

Guide to information resources for AFRS 115.

Defining your Topic

  • Make broad topics more focused
  • Topical focus makes research manageable
  • Your search results should reflect the intersection of multiple topics 
Diagram depicting the intersection of three topics
Example: 
  • Broad Topics = Media, Violence, Children
  • Narrower Topic = Violence in the media
  • Focused Topic = Media violence and children
 
The intersection of your broad topics is your research focus. When searched together, these terms will yield more relevant results. 

Research Statement and Vocabulary

Using your chosen broad topics, create your research (thesis) statement: 

  • What are the effects of media violence on children?, OR ...
  • Media violence affects (or does not affect) children.

Your objective?  Using evidence found in your research, seek to prove your research statement OR answer your research question.

From your broad topics, build a vocabulary of similar or related search terms you can substitute if needed when searching online...

  • media: television, film, video games, comics, music
  • violence: crime
  • children: teens, adolescents

These are your search terms you will use to locate information resources. Consult a thesaurus to add synonyms to these terms, if necessary.

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