Quarter 1:
Step 1: Read broadly to explore the issues (encyclopedias and issues researchers from library databases). Do NOT take notes. Find 3 general sources from our databases that provide information as to why your topic is an issue.
Step 2: Discover essential research questions. Apply the journalistic questions to your narrowed topic. Who? What? Why? When? How? Where? Since the purpose of this assignment is to discover how your topic relates to poverty, you will have more than 6 questions.
Step 3: Research the essential questions using vetted sources. Examine the authority and credibility of the author. If it is an op-ed dig around and find out information about the author. Remember that the purpose of this assignment is to understand that issues are complex so do not just research those voices with whom you agree.
Step 4: Develop an Annotated Bibliography of 6-8 vetted sources that demonstrates that the sources represent various perspectives.
Step 5: Create a workable outline for the topic. Think of your audience. Who are they? What do they know? What do they believe? How do you want to approach them? The researchable questions will guide you through the outline. If you find yourself relying on your sources and not the questions raised by the issue, you are writing a report, not discovering a poverty related issue. Absolutely NO sentence outlines.
Quarter 2:
Step 6: Write a preliminary rough draft using the outline. Granted, you will revise and revise, so this is the preliminary draft, the draft that sets up your ideas and that will be the basis for the other drafts. Give this draft your BEST shot, so you do not put yourself in the position of having to start from scratch over and over again.
Quarter 3:
Step 7: Final Draft
Quarter 4:
Step 8: Defend/Present your educated views on this topic to an audience.
Poverty
Veterans (Male and Female)
PTSD
Homelessness
Affordable Housing
Inadequate Housing
Access to clean water
Children
Brain Development and poverty
Lifelong Effects of Poverty
Education
Women
Maternity Leave
Pregnancy
Affordable Childcare
Immigration
Access to public services
Job market
Health
Access to healthcare
Prescription drug costs
Senior Citizens
Medicare
Social Security
Care for elderly
Housing for elderly
Disability
Physical Health
Loss of hearing, sight, etc.
Mental Health
Anxiety
Depression
Race / Ethnicity
Refugees
Discrimination
Stereotypes
Religion
The Working Poor
Wages
Benefits
Pensions
Minimum Wage
Food
Obesity
Nutrition
Food Deprivation
Food Deserts
Criminal Justice System
Mass incarceration
Access to legal representation
College Debt
Low interest student loans
Tuition inflation
Access to Higher Education
Admissions policies
Addiction
Illegal Drugs
Prescription Drugs
Opioid Epidemic
Military
Enlisted pay
