Tips on Writing a Research Paper: How to Identify a Topic Question for Essays and Research Papers

I spent hours teaching thesis statements with only moderate improvement in essay quality. I went to the mountains without food or water to meditate on ways to improve student essays. After 3-hours without food I passed out (technically, I was beaten senseless by a couple of boy scouts with sling shots). I woke up in an ambulance. Instead of paramedics tending my wounds, there were question marks.

"That's it," I thought, "The question marks are trying to tell me something about writing better thesis statements." I guessed what it could mean, but to no avail. Evantually the chief question mark picked up the ball underneath its arched body and bashed me over the head with it. When I awoke, there was a scar across my chest with the following words: "(1) identify a topic; (2) create a research topic question(s); (3) write the thesis statement."

That made no sense, so I did some research. I discovered the question marks were right: the best way to write effective thesis statements is to identify a topic first and create a research topic to be answered by the thesis statement.

I needed to find out the best way to make a research topic question. Here's what I found:

• A topic question asks a relevant and important question about the topic that is answered in an essay or research paper.
• The topic question can be what other writers have already considered, but answered with a new spin.
  • Topic: Roe vs. Wade
  • Possible topic questions: (1) What are the negative/positive effects of the Supreme Court's 1973 ruling? (2) What effect would overturning the federal court's ruling have on teen pregnancy rates? (3) What effect did the decision have on its litigants?
• Although these questions have been addressed by thousands of writers, there are still unexplored options.
• The topic question can be formulated by the writer. When deciding to answer a question, be sure to explain why it is an important question.
  • Topic: Personal Finance
  • Possible Topic Questions: (1) What effect does bankruptcy have on pre-school children? (2) How does investing at a young age shape children's attitude about different jobs? (3) What effect does religion have on paying off debt?
• A good topic question helps the writer focus.
• A good topic question leads directly to the thesis statement.
• A good topic question is open ended?
• A good topic question guides research.