"Exploring Topics and Creating a Research Proposal"

My previous research papers have given me few liberties on choosing a topic. They have been either given a specific topic for everyone or given the class a few topics to choose form. Consequently, I have had a hard time choosing what to write about in my projects for ENC 2135. I had only truly thought about one or two possible subjects for my projects, basically the obvious subjects. Reading though the fifth chapter of the Bedford Book of Genres, “Exploring Topics and Creating a Research Proposal”, however, made my mind open slightly and come up with ideas that had no even crossed my mind. As I read, I found myself subconsciously following along with the steps or suggestions for coming along with a topic in my head. After finishing that section, I already had at least three extra topic possibilities and I has no even done the steps as they should be done. Not only that, but the next part of the chapter I found extremely helpful as well. Research papers have never been my strong suit, despite having a premeditated subject or not. The chapter recommended some ideas that I believe will show extremely helpful, such as the different methods for keeping up with the sources. In addition, I liked how the chapter guided your towards an analytical research question, instead of a fact finding research question. This, I believe, is a problem for many in the beginning years of their research-paper-writing academic careers. Without even noticing, one might find himself/herself getting carried away in all the “research” and writing an entire paper based on facts and lose focus on the arguments, the most important element.