Research Guide for Exposition and Argument (01:355:103)

At the beginning of the research process for a college-level paper or essay, you’ll probably have a few ideas for a topic. It's important to develop a topic into a research question. If all you have is a topic, you'll write a report: a collection of facts, figures, dates. A college-level essay poses and answers a question or series of related questions: what, why, how, perhaps who, when, where. A successful research essay for Exposition and Argument develops an argument and answers your question or questions in a logical, convincing, and interesting fashion.

A key to crafting a viable research question is finding something that sparks your interest and will sustain your interest over the course of a semester. Research something that you will have fun exploring!