Chapter 2

Chapter 2 is all about digging deeper into your topic. The chapter outlines some interesting ways to explore your topic. For example, it suggests discussing your topic with others, which at first look does not seem so different, but for me that is not the usually way I start to examine my topics. However, I do see the helpfulness behind it.  The book says to make a list of people and a list of questions to ask them then go down it.  It also suggests to make a list of places you might make observations about your topic, a list of resources to search or browse like catalogs, libraries, and databases, and create a system for keeping track of the information you collect.  Then it says to conduct preliminary observations, find and review sources, skim your sources then take notes on them.  Finally this chapter explains ways you can then focus your topic so that it is easier to find more helpful sources.  It suggests identifying conversations about the topic, assessing your interest, and frame your argument for the focused topic.