My understanding between the difference of a topic and an issue is that a topic is a subject you choose to write about after you research an issue. When you write your topic on that issue and your main goal is to enhance the source your writing about. An issue is something that is or has happened in our world or society that you are interested in. The issue I am focusing on is finding a sustainable way that is cheap, afforable and reliable alternative to perserve our water. With the shortage of water comtinuing to grow, laws have been put into place such as catching rain water is illegal, it is making it extremely hard for individuals, families and communities to find a way to sustainable solution for water. So far, I just choose a topic and haven't formed an inquiry question but I am looking to develop one soon. My process of finding a topic was kind of difficult because there were so many choices too choose but I think my topic on finding a sustainable way to preserve our water during this drought is a huge topic and important. I see this happening back in SoCal, which involve my friends currently collecting rain water and have made their houses into drought friendly yards. From there, I haven't really began a draft or an inquiry question but I know I will create one this weekend.
Question:
1. I am struggling to create an inquiry question. What are some pointers you could provide for me?
2. When writing our first essay, how many sources should I be looking at during and siting from?
Dayna- I like your topic a lot as it is directly related to sustainability and timely as we are in a drought. The next wars of our future generations, it has been said, will not be over oil but over water. As we discussed in class, there are no sources yet for this 'essay' which is your proposal for the semester. There will be plenty to research about your topic, so your job in this paper is really to get the reader interested in why creating new and innovative ways to conserve water is important and draw them (me) into how your research will answer your inquiry question over the rest of the semester.
ReplyDeleteTo focus your inquiry question, I think starting broad would be good: What are some ways that individual families and households can conserve water? What are the obstacles to that, or why would local governments or companies be opposed to that (why in the world would the local government make laws against that)? My guess is you'll find interesting information about companies that will lose money if people start doing what your friends did. On that note, it will make your research more interesting by grounding your question in the experience of you and your friends in Southern California, using personalized questions like, 'We just couldn't imagine why this would be a problem...' and this caused me to want to find out more..' Think of all the documentaries that start in that kind of 'personal narrative way,' as well as the suggestions in From Inquiry and They Say/I Say. I hope this project over the semester, where you will become an expert through the different research you do, will be interesting and personally relevant, and you can by all means draw the reader in with a personalized story that makes your research real.