Expository Essay: Brainstorming and Beginning Research
Attention: Please make sure to complete the Navigating the GCU Library worksheet BEFORE completing this worksheet.
Before you begin any writing assignment, it is often necessary to complete several “pre-writing” activities. This worksheet will assist you with several of the pre-writing activities necessary for completing your expository essay including selecting a topic, brainstorming, research strategies, and research. Follow the instructions to complete these pre-writing activities. Make sure you complete all 4 sections of this worksheet.
Part 1 of 4: Select a Topic
Below are lists of possible essay topics to use for the expository essay you will create in this course in week 4. Please highlight/bold your topic choice so your instructor will know your selection.
Note: If you do not see a topic that interests you, please contact your instructor for further direction.
Describe national security concerns and their impact on the American people.
What are some ways to address the needs of military veterans transitioning into civilian life?
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How does deployment affect the family and loved ones of military servicemen?
What challenges do schools face when dealing with budget cuts?
Explain the kinds of security measures currently available to ensure school safety.
How does class size affect learning in the classroom?
What effect does bullying have on children?
What are some ethical guidelines counselors should follow when treating their patients?
How are faith and spirituality used in pastoral counseling?
How does globalization affect the local community?
What are some characteristics of a good leader?
How do wellness programs affect the workplace?
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How do advertisers use psychology to sell products?
Describe the effects pollution has on health.
What are the dangers of extreme diet or exercise?
What effects will an aging baby boomer generation have on the health care system?
Describe the effect a prison sentence has on an inmate’s reintegration into society.
How has the usage of DNA in forensics affected the court system?
In what ways can a Christian church help the local community?
How does technology affect interpersonal communication?
How has social media affected relationships?
What effects does multi-tasking have on a person?
Part 2 of 4: Brainstorming Strategies
Read: Topic 1 Lecture.
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Review: “Invention: Finding Your Ideas” section of “The Writing Process” media piece:
Complete: Based on the information you learned from the Writing Process media piece “Invention: Finding Your Ideas,” complete the Brainstorm Method 1 & 2 sections below. In box 1, use the brainstorming method of “Questioning”. In box 2, choose one other method that you would like to use to brainstorm on the topic you selected from part 1 of this assignment.
Brainstorm Method #1: Questioning(Use the “Questioning” brainstorming method to brainstorm the topic you chose in part 1.)Who: Who can children go to when they are being bullied? What: What are the feelings children have when they are being bullied? When: When do we adults intervene, and put a stop to the bully? Why: Why don’t say anything when they are being bullied? Where: Where did children learn to be bullies?How: How can children avoid being bullied? |
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Brainstorm Method #2: Your Choice Type the name of the method you choose hereUse one of the other brainstorming methods described in the Writing Process media piece “Invention: Finding Your Ideas” to brainstorm the topic you chose in part 1. If you choose to use Cubing or Mapping, copy and paste your completed brainstorm using that method directly into this box. Children that are being bullied become unsuccessful in school. They are scared to go to school and lose interest in school. Children that are always being bullied are the ones that suffer from no self-esteem due to the negative attention from the bully. Also, children that are anxious, depressed and with disabilities or special needs. Children that are bullies often grow up to be aggressive and abusive adults. |
Part 3 of 4: Research Strategies
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Step 1: Pull keywords that were generated from your brainstorming activity in part 2. These keywords need to pertain to the topic selected from part 1.
Step 2: Come up with synonyms (word/phrase that means nearly the same thing) for those keywords.
Step 3: Combine keywords/synonyms to come up with Boolean search terms. Boolean search terms utilize AND/OR phrases. This is covered on page 15 of the course ebook.
An example table is provided below to demonstrate how you should complete this. Please do not use any part of the example as part of your own table.
Example Tables
Keyword pulled from brainstorming | Synonym (word with same or similar meaning) |
1. Online Learning | 1. Non-traditional learning |
2. Education | 2. School |
3. Higher Education | 3. College |
4. Academic Achievement | 4. Student Success |
5. Learning Strategies | 5. Study Skills |
Boolean Search Possibilities:
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