UVU Writing
Garrett Winn's Writing Classes for UVU

List 2 or more topics that you are thinking about this class’ research paper.

If you want to get several of your required peer comments out of the way early, now would be a great time. Just read over the list of topic ideas and then ask questions about them by replying to that comment. Ask questions about what you would want to know about that topic or tell what you think about the topic (your opinion on the issue). You can also talk about what it would mean to you to have an answer to that issue. And what you think is at stake for that topic. Finally, try to evaluate the topic from the opposite side of where you are now and write down some ideas about counterarguments (all this should sound familiar – it is the steps to inquiry).

67 Responses

I am thinking of doing my paper on Socail media and the effects on society, or technology and how the more new things come out the less and less person to person transactions happen. I am more of a medically minded person so I thought that I would step out of my comfort zone and try something new.

clarkejerome replied on January 11th, 2011:

These are really cool ideas. I am a technology major and we are currently looking at some of those issues in class. Good luck

10504394Tyler replied on January 11th, 2011:

I am considering studying the topic of Nuclear Energy and the proposed project in the Yuma Mountains. Alternate sources of energy are going to become more and more debated in the future, and I want to be well informed as these discussions continue to come up.

what about Nuclear Energy are you going to look at? pros and cons? either way, that is an interesting subject.

brianroskelley replied on January 12th, 2011:

Does Facebook have an obligation to protect privacy as a basic individual right or should we be accountable for our own posts?

emvawdrey replied on January 12th, 2011:

That is a good question. My personal take is that we should be accountable for our posts, however when you sign up for facebook there are a list of rules and quidelines for using facebook and it states that if you use foul, crude, vulgar or inappropriate pictures your account will be terminated and from seeing some people’s post facebook is not monitoring them either. This could be very a good direction to go with, thanks for the question :)

These are really cool ideas. I am a technology major and we are currently looking at some of those issues in class. Good luck

I am considering studying the topic of Nuclear Energy and the proposed project in the Yuma Mountains. Alternate sources of energy are going to become more and more debated in the future, and I want to be well informed as these discussions continue to come up.

Mattj48 replied on January 11th, 2011:

I like this idea. There is so many heated debates over this topic all ready and so many areas that you could discuss. Will replacing current energy sources with alternatives effect the lifestyles and health of mankind? Will what we think is a fix bring on more problems for us in the future? These are somethings I have thought about with all the discussions that have taken place on this subject over the past few years.

andygoat_33 replied on January 11th, 2011:

yeah, I’m thinking pros, cons may be good, but I’d aslo like to look at the other nuclear energy possibilities that have been conceptualized, but not tested as of yet.

areli_aguirre replied on January 12th, 2011:

Are you looking at the science part about it too? Like how it happens, or only how it affects us? Because I think it would be very interesting if you add feedback about how it actually happens and then explain how it actually benefits or affects us! :) this would be very interesting to read, specially of you are a pro at writing ! :) good luck with everything though!

what about Nuclear Energy are you going to look at? pros and cons? either way, that is an interesting subject.

what about Nuclear Energy are you going to look at? pros and cons? either way, that is an interesting subject.

Does Facebook have an obligation to protect privacy as a basic individual right or should we be accountable for our own posts?

TomC replied on January 12th, 2011:

This is a good topic. I want to look at wind and other renewables. I can see the benifit and the feel good factor about it but you can’t rely on the weather for power. I think that nuclear will be the way to go. Coal is cleaner than sociaty want you to belive. Being in the electrical industry and using coal power I have seen the results of the emission control equiptment that has been installed and now the tail pipe of your car is far worse than a coal power plant.

I really want to do my paper on “The effect of technology on the education system,” or “The need for society to seriously start considering renewable energy sources as primary energy sources.”

emvawdrey replied on January 11th, 2011:

Hopefully you will be able to do research for both classes :) Those also sound like great topics.

Pablo replied on January 12th, 2011:

I think the effect of technology on the education system is great. Can you imagine how hard it will be writing a paper without a computer and/or the internet? A flash drive is so useful. Thanks to technology we can have more than hundred computers on campus working at the same time. One of my questions will be how we can improve this technology. Is this going to affect us in a certain way, how?

Okay I’m honestly not trying to copy you guys, but i was thinking of how technology is really making everyone kind of dumb/lazy…. and i’m interested in Engineering, so why not find out more about it.

Steve j replied on January 11th, 2011:

Haha, I say both classes all write on the exact same subject! See how Garrett likes it.

Mattj48 replied on January 11th, 2011:

I like that idea but there may need to be some specifics on what technology is making us dumb and I say that because there is so much technology that has benefited humankind for the good and as well improved ones everyday life. I guess it depends on how you view it all!

Kyleigh replied on January 11th, 2011:

If I were you Tyler I would think as much as how cell phones and testing are damaging our ways to communicate properly as humans to one another

Kyleigh replied on January 11th, 2011:

I mean texting, not testing. Sorry.

andygoat_33 replied on January 11th, 2011:

I think it’s a good topic, but might good to find another slant. It seems like this is such a common topic now that it’s not as original to say that texting is damaging communication, but maybe examine more specifically certain types of messages or emotions (anger, happiness, sarcasm, affection, ect) and how texting can affect each one…. just an idea

areli_aguirre replied on January 12th, 2011:

This is partly true for some people, it does make so many people lazy, but just a quick question, what kind of technology are you going to be talking about? The computers? Smart phones, TVS? Internet? Just asking! Or are you just talking about technology in general?

Okay I’m honestly not trying to copy you guys, but i was thinking of how technology is really making everyone kind of dumb/lazy…. and i’m interested in Engineering, so why not find out more about it.

Okay I’m honestly not trying to copy you guys, but i was thinking of how technology is really making everyone kind of dumb/lazy…. and i’m interested in Engineering, so why not find out more about it.

TomC replied on January 12th, 2011:

I think your right in alot of ways about tech making people lazy. On the other hand it is frustrating! Just trying to post for me is a chalange! What was your opinion on the reading? I found alot of good points and ways of biulding a paper but I know I fill miss some of them when I write mine. I think I will be refering back to the book as much as I do myt research material.

I’m leaning toward either the dangers of cell phones becoming all-in-one devices and tracking devices or technology affecting our social habits.

Kyleigh replied on January 11th, 2011:

That is a very interesting subject I think. You could run into some very interesting information. I don’t know how much information you’ll find, however.

arichens replied on January 12th, 2011:

I like it. Very 1984-ish.

areli_aguirre replied on January 12th, 2011:

I would definitely read this paper if you wrote it, would be very interesting, even though I am all about technology, so would you taking a stance agains having smart phones all in one or are you torwards it?

I’m leaning toward either the dangers of cell phones becoming all-in-one devices and tracking devices or technology affecting our social habits.

I’m leaning toward either the dangers of cell phones becoming all-in-one devices and tracking devices or technology affecting our social habits.

That is a very interesting subject I think. You could run into some very interesting information. I don’t know how much information you’ll find, however.

I’m leaning toward either the dangers of cell phones becoming all-in-one devices and tracking devices or technology affecting our social habits.

I have come up with several different ideas that I will need to narrow down. These ideas are all related to the medical field.
-Are we treating cancer or killing the patient?
-CPR without rescue breathing, is it better for cardiac arrest patients?
-Does Fat Free Mean Healthy?
-Should Ritalin be used on children?

There are a few Ideas I have come up with and there is a lot of direction I could go with them any help or ideas would be appreciated. Thanks

10504394Tyler replied on January 11th, 2011:

oh i like the Ritalin one… haha good ideas matt

hillarymenlove replied on January 17th, 2011:

I am really liking the CPR without rescue breathing. I think you could get some really good information and alot of debate within that one.

I’m thinking about how some CNAs get neglectful of their patients and may cause more health problems because of it. Or how doctors prescribe medicine “off-label” (meaning they prescribe the drug for a non FDA approved method) for depression. Or another one is how playing video games often affects the way you think.

edith replied on January 11th, 2011:

kyleigh those sound really interesting! Great job :)

AndieManwill replied on January 12th, 2011:

I think that the idea of writing about CNAs is great… I know some people who have personal delt with those issues especially in nursing homes. Do you know what you would focuis on if you did write about that?

a couple of the ideas that i am thinking about researching is the benifits of drilling in the artic national wildlife refuge in comparison to that damaging effects that it could have on the enviorment. Also if welfare and public aid is helping our country or crippling it.

Here are a few ideas that I am mulling over
-Why do we as humans focus on and sometimes even seek out bad news?
-What are the effects of shows like “Jersey Shore” having on society or what does the popularity of such shows say about society?
-Global Warming, what is the big deal?

JasonFarrer replied on January 11th, 2011:

I seed out bad news to see how bad things suck for other people, then I realize I don’t have it all that bad. As far as global warming, I say heat it up winter sucks!!

I’m thinking of doing this research paper on Are sweatshops ethical? Possibly on, is there any other benefits from martial arts besides learning self defense?
I’m not quite sure, I want to do a really good topic. But I’m bad of coming up with ideas :/

Celia replied on January 12th, 2011:

I always have trouble coming up with topics. Things that interest me seem to already have been beaten to death! I like the sweatshop idea. Do you have a particular global area that you wanted to focus on?

edith replied on January 18th, 2011:

I don’t have a specific global area, I was just thinking of doing it about all over the world, and it’s so hard!

areli_aguirre replied on January 12th, 2011:

I know for sure that there are other benefits aside from self defense, there is the physical fitness to it and that being said, all of the benefits that fit under physical fitness come with it! Less risk or heart attacks, stroke, etc.

I am leaning toward The Outsourcing of American Jobs: What Good Does It Do for the American Economy? Or English as the National Language: Should I have to Press 1?

JamesS replied on January 12th, 2011:

I am particularly interested in topic concerning outsourcing. Have you read “The World is Flat”? My opinion is that outsourcing/globalization is good for the world as a whole. A major counterargument is the negative consequences that many people suffer because of globalization. You can focus some of your paper proposing solutions to mitigate some of the negative effects.

The two topics I’m leaning towards are quite different. The first is about the new policies being passed in some hospitals banning pictures or videos of newborns until 5 minutes after birth. Is this for privacy or malpractice reasons? The second is why music and art classes are the first to go when budget cuts arise.

I too, am interested in the topic of Nuclear Energy, but more specifically related to why it will be necessary now that everything is trending away from fossil fuels and toward electricity. People just don’t realize that we still need a way to generate that electricity, and nuclear energy is the only real (non-fossil fuel) option.

Alternative topics I’m considering are either the debate over “controversial” oil extraction (oil shale, offshore drilling) or current problems with coal mine safety. I grew up in Carbon County and have lost several close friends to mine accidents and cave-ins. I also worked in the oilfield industry for a time, so both of these topics are close to home for me.

I want to write my paper and know about how technology is this affecting or not affecting our lives and/or the earth in general. If this is affecting how we can fix it. What we can do to improve technology so it does not affect us and the earth. An example will be how we can find the way to stop or replace with something else the use of gasoline on vehicles one of the choices may be electric but it may be more expensive. Another topic will be what we can do to help preserve our earth. It may help if we classified the garbage in what it can be recycled. How we can make easy to do this in every single home. How is this going to affect our lives.

I’m considering writing a paper on the differences between countries with male leaders, and countries with female leaders. I may even look at separate communities within those countries. Another idea is to look at whether or not holistic health care can be as effective as modern medicine on certain health issues. Obviously, I need to narrow that down.

*How social media and the internet has been used to reconnect adoptive children with the birth parents.

*Should adoption records be open or sealed?

* Should the import of foreign products be restricted/limited by law?

*Censorship in literature

*Reality shows and how they provide a false sense of economic security to society. How they devalue the family unit and redefine what is normal.

I have considered the psychological effects of the internet, or issues that games cause or can cause.

Two topics I have in mind are tax reform and financial reform. Regarding tax reform, I would like to know how the adoption of Euopean tax policies (ie VAT) or a flat tax would effect the U.S. economy and ultimately the individual taxpayer.
Regarding financial reform, I would like to research the effects of securties regulations on the financial markets and the U.S. economy. In the long run will more regulation help or hurt the economy?

I was thinking of looking into “No Child Left Behind” and trying to determine how “lowering the bar” for primary education affects general education in college. Or, the pros and cons different forms of compiler construction and theory.

I am actually looking to research about the immigration and what they are doing possible to fix all of the current issues. This problem has been going on for decades and it continues to be a problem, so I figure I could do research and maybe also bring about some new solutions to solve the current issue! Another topic I am looking into is capital punishment around the world and if it is morally just? What are the things that came into place for the current rules, emotional, physical? Votes? Or how were the current rules set?

I am not sure what we had to look for in the C student paper, I read it and even printed it out, but what does the teacher mean by a source that was not peer reviewed? Am I missing something?

I have been a server for almost three years now and am not sure of a specific question to research but am thinking of something along the lines of figuring out why people don’t tip or why restaurants can get away with only paying us 2.13 an hour in Utah. We are basically free labor since our customers are paying us to work there yet the restaurant makes us do so much and we’ll be there for hours cleaning and such when we’re not even taking tables/getting paid.

Jason.Binks replied on January 12th, 2011:

I think that is a great topic. My sister really had a hard time with the same things that you do. I think that there should be some type of restriction to prevent this. I think that this would be a reall yinteresting topic, and I haven’t heard of anybody writing about it before.

I wrote my paper on adolescent behavior last semester, and never really got a chance to get into the information that I wanted to learn more about. I want to learn why some adolescents are more apt to participate in bad behavior than others. I also want to know how it can be prevented, so that it does not turn into bad criminal behavior when they are adults.

Kyleigh replied on January 13th, 2011:

That is a very unique idea. Do you think the way the kids are behaving has something to do with the way they were raised?

Jason.Binks replied on January 13th, 2011:

I think that is the biggest factor yes. When I was working at a local high school there were kids that were from really good families that cared about what they did, and they still had bad behavioral issues. There is a lot more than meets the eye in this topic I think.

I am thinking about doing my reseach on the amount of antidepressants that are being perscribed in the US and the effect that is having on youth. OR The media(especially magazines and music) and how it effects us on a psychological and emothional level.

In my 1010 class I reaserched the prison system in the US and how it compares to to other countries’s systems, I found it very interesting and would like to go deeper in it. I’m also considering something about miscarriages I’m not sure exactly what but it interests me as I have had siblings experience it as well as my wife.

I am thinking about researching about the growing population of predatory fish in Utah and the effect it is having on the different verity of fish we have here. I am also thinking about researching the new and different ways we can use stem cells to treat people who have neurological injuries.

I am considering writing about the effect the Muslim Nation/Religion has had on the American way of life. I think that a lot of people are prejudice towards others that are from other countries or faiths. I am considering this subject or immigration from latino countries.

I would like to research on supplementation among athletes. If I can find the right info, I would like to specifically write about women athletes and if their is enough research done to really recommend the same types of supplementation as they do for men.

I just had a really great idea I would be very interested in but I don’t know how I would phrase the topic to make it a question. I want to do something with the psychology behind serial killers. If you have any ideas they would be appreciated.

brianroskelley replied on January 16th, 2011:

Research whether or not those serial killers are born that way. Similar to how people say that they are “born homosexual” Is it a chemical imbalance? How do medications meant to help with psychotic tendencies exacerbate the problem.

I have been looking around to see about possible topics to write about. Here are the couple of possibilities after talking with my wife.

First is that she mentioned that Utah is exporting water to neighboring states. I haven’t seen anything along these lines, so it would be something to look into to see how realistic it is and if we are, then how is that effecting our water supply, especially since we are supposedly in a drought.

The next possible topic is related to the Alaskan Pipeline and our use of domestic or foreign oil reserves.

hillarymenlove replied on January 20th, 2011:

I have not heard about us exporting water either? That could be really interesting to look into, alot of good informations with the fact that we are in a droubt? i like that idea.

I know we have already gone over listing what we what write about. I thought I knew but I have had a complete change of mind after starting to research topics this last week. I don’t know if anyone else has started looking tand then changed thier mind. I like my new topic but it really sucked starting all over.

I am thinking i will either write about whether or not AD/HD is something that can be fixed with medications or if it is just a personality in people? OR whether shots we give to children is good or bad for them, since we are actually injecting the disease into them?

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