the eXchange at Innovation Academy
  • Welcome
    • What is the eXchange?
    • Meet the Library Staff
    • Request to Use Collab Rooms
  • BookHub
    • Access Sora for eBooks & Audiobooks
    • Manga, Comics, & Graphic Novels
    • Book Recommendations
    • SEL & Mental Health
    • Request a Book Purchase
    • Mrs. B's Bookshelf
  • Technology at IA
    • FCS Technology Competition
    • Tech Help
  • MakerSpaces at IA
    • Safety in the MakerSpace
    • What can you make? >
      • 3D Printers
      • Glowforge Laser Cutter
      • Cricut - Vinyl Cutter
      • Sewing & Embroidery
      • Knitting and Crocheting
    • Podcast Studio
    • Compassionate Making
    • Virtual MakerSpace
  • Research at IA
    • Introduction to Research
    • Notetaking, Plagiarism, Citing Sources
    • Credible Sources & Fake News
    • Copyright &n Intellectual Freedom
    • Finding a Topic and Writing a Thesis Statement
    • Writing a Literature Review
  • Events & Programs
    • Free Little Art Library
    • IA Seed Library
    • Wanderlust Wednesday Series
  • Contact Us

Brainstorming Ideas

Finding a topic and narrowing it down to write a thesis statement or question can be daunting. Ask yourself questions such as the ones listed below and use a mind map to expand on ideas. Do not evaluate ideas during this process; even seemingly irrelevant ideas can lead you to good research areas.
  • Consider your content -- what are your main interests?
  • Have you had any significant or meaningful personal experiences related to your content or topic?
  • Is there anything that you have studied in your coursework that you found particularly exciting?
  • Do any specific theories or concepts related to your content interest you?
  • What are your career goals upon graduation?
  • What major issues or problems are present in your content/topic today?
  • Have you read anything interesting related to your content?

Online Resources to Create a Mind Map
  • Adobe Creative Cloud Express Templates for Mind Maps
  • Bubbl.us
  • MindMup
  • Text2MindMap
  • Venngage

​Topic Finder with Gale in Context

Writing a Question or a Thesis

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  • Welcome
    • What is the eXchange?
    • Meet the Library Staff
    • Request to Use Collab Rooms
  • BookHub
    • Access Sora for eBooks & Audiobooks
    • Manga, Comics, & Graphic Novels
    • Book Recommendations
    • SEL & Mental Health
    • Request a Book Purchase
    • Mrs. B's Bookshelf
  • Technology at IA
    • FCS Technology Competition
    • Tech Help
  • MakerSpaces at IA
    • Safety in the MakerSpace
    • What can you make? >
      • 3D Printers
      • Glowforge Laser Cutter
      • Cricut - Vinyl Cutter
      • Sewing & Embroidery
      • Knitting and Crocheting
    • Podcast Studio
    • Compassionate Making
    • Virtual MakerSpace
  • Research at IA
    • Introduction to Research
    • Notetaking, Plagiarism, Citing Sources
    • Credible Sources & Fake News
    • Copyright &n Intellectual Freedom
    • Finding a Topic and Writing a Thesis Statement
    • Writing a Literature Review
  • Events & Programs
    • Free Little Art Library
    • IA Seed Library
    • Wanderlust Wednesday Series
  • Contact Us