Subject matter problems are the heart of college writing. A thesis statement is the main point a writer wants to make in an essay. What is the question that lies behind the thesis? What is the problem or issue that the writer is wrestling with? Experienced writers immerse themselves in subject matter questions in pursuit of answers or solutions.
Shared problems unite writers and readers. A good, interesting question is at the heart of good writing.
Where do problems come from? Good questions do not always have right answers. The kinds of questions that stimulate the writing most valued in college are open-ended questions that focus on unknowns or invite multiple points of view. A good question sets the writer on the path of inquiry, critical thinking, analysis, and argument. You can write about questions or problems that are already “out there” or you can initiate your own.
Argue your own thesis in response to a research question. The best way to produce effective, engaged, and ethically responsible research papers is to begin with a good research question. There is a difference between topic focus and question focus. A topic focus invites you to collect information without a clear purpose. A question focus encourages active construction of meaning.
Write with your own voice. Think about the topic enough that you form your own opinion and can express your own feelings. You can test the initial feasibility of your research question by considering the following prompts:
- Are you personally interested in this question?
- Is the question both problematic and significant?
- Is the question limited enough for the intended length of your paper?
- Is there a reasonable possibility of finding information on this question based on the time and resources you have available?
- Is the question appropriate for your level of expertise?
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