Two Peas in a Pod:

             You & Your Research Essay Topic 

Background & Forefront: Last class we went over what's required in your portfolio as well as completed some writing prompts that will hopefully help you focus your Reflective Essay. Now, we are going to continue that work by writing and thinking about your Research Essay topic. The topic you chose, and why you chose it, says something about your interests, your experience, and your values. All of which I would love to see you explore in your Reflective Essay.

• Explain how your topic is personal - either to something that's happened in your life, or to your career goals. Does that personal point of view come out in your paper? Explain why it does or doesn't.

• Describe your learning process as it pertains to your research essay. What was the idea that you started with? How did it morph over the course of the semester?  Then, explain at least three things you have learned from conducting research about your topic. How has what you have learned helped you to understand your own life differently? If it hasn't at all, then do you think you chose your topic poorly? Explain.

• Now, at the end of the semester, do you think that you chose your topic wisely? Explain. If you had this to do again, would you choose differently? 

• If you could share only one thing about your topic with a national audience, what it would be? Why?