AP Lit Research 2024: Home

Choosing a Topic - One key to writing an effective research paper is selecting a subject of interest. Your topic for this paper must focus on a specific major. Consider whether you will be able to gather enough information about the topic and whether the field will hold your interest. Start with a research question that will lead to a thesis (See below).

Research question example: “Which college major would best prepare me for a career as a lawyer?” Your research will answer this question. Your thesis will take the answer to that question and will be the guiding force behind your paper..

Thesis example: "USC has one of the nation’s strongest pre-law programs due to faculty who are nationally recognized for scholarship in many fields, its interdisciplinary focus, a commitment to public service, and leadership in the profession."

OVERVIEW:

Goal: Research and report on a college major, its differing pathways and coursework expectations at various universities, and the prospective careers available in this field. *Alternative topic options: Trade, Military, and Entrepreneurship

• Use a third person, objective voice in your narrative, avoiding personal judgments about the information you are presenting. 
• Maintain proper MLA style for documentation, including a Works Cited page. 
• Cite a minimum of five valid and varied sources.
• Complete a report of 5-7 typed pages; though visual representations or graphics may add to the paper’s minimum length, they do not contribute to a 5-pg minimum total.