Touchstone 1.2: Write a Research Question, Thesis, and Outline
ASSIGNMENT: Following the Topic Selection Guidelines below, choose an argumentative topic to research. This will be your topic throughout the entire course, so the activities required for this assignment will provide the foundation for your future Touchstones. The topic for an argumentative research paper must be a debatable topic, meaning that it involves conflicting viewpoints. Additionally, it cannot be a topic that is already decided or agreed upon by most of society. You will need to take a firm position on the topic and use evidence and logic to support the position. Touchstone 1.2 includes a research question, a working thesis, a detailed outline, and a reflection on this pre-writing process.

A. Topic Selection Guidelines
DIRECTIONS: You may choose any topic you wish as long as the topic has two clear sides and is not agreed upon by most of society. Your topic should be current, appropriate for an academic context and should have a focus suitable for a 6-8 page essay.

In order to foster learning and growth, all essays you submit must be newly written specifically for this course. Any recycled work will be sent back with a 0, and you will be given one attempt to redo the Touchstone.

B. Research Guidelines
DIRECTIONS: Refer to the list below throughout the writing process. Do not submit your Touchstone until it meets these guidelines.

1. Research Question and Working Thesis
Keep in mind: The research question and working thesis are the driving force behind your research and eventual argument.

❒ Your research question should be a single sentence, framed as a question.
❒ Your working thesis should be a single focused sentence, framed as a statement that takes a clear position on the research question.
❒ Include your research question followed by your working thesis.
2. Detailed Outline
Keep in mind: Your detailed outline provides a map of the argumentative research essay that you will write, including your key claims and the sources that support them. You may not have all your sources yet, and that is fine. The outline is a way to organize your essay and determine which areas (e.g. your sub-points) will require researched evidence as support.

❒ Headings: one for each paragraph with a brief label of the paragraph’s controlling idea(s).
❒ An introduction, at least five body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
❒ Introduction includes your working thesis.
❒ Body paragraphs should each have their own unique title and key points.
❒ Conclusion includes notes on your final thoughts.
❒ Subheadings: two to five for each paragraph, below each heading, indicating key points that support the controlling idea
❒ Sources: one to three for each paragraph, as relevant, indicating the support for the key points
❒ For each source, include the author’s name and the idea or information relevant to your argument (e.g. “Lappé on mono-cropping corn/soy and production”).
3. Reflection
❒ Have you displayed a clear understanding of the research activities?
❒ Have you answered all reflection questions thoughtfully and included insights, observations, and/or examples in all responses?
❒ Are your answers included on a separate page below the main assignment?

C. Reflection Questions

DIRECTIONS: Below your assignment, include answers to all of the following reflection questions.

Learning to conduct research is important because it is a skill you will use both in academia and in your professional life. It improves critical thinking and empowers you to find information for yourself. Consider the process of researching as a whole. What was the most challenging aspect of the process for you? (2-3 sentences)
The working thesis statement is a proposed answer to your research question. It should clearly identify a debatable topic and take a position on one side of that topic. Analyze the effectiveness of your working thesis statement. (3-4 sentences)
A detailed outline is an effective tool for laying out the progression of an argument. It allows you to consider the arrangement and organization of your ideas, as well as choose places to incorporate outside source materials. Review your detailed outline and summarize the argument you’ve presented. (3-4 sentences)
You will use the same topic on three of the remaining Touchstones in this course. What kind of feedback would be helpful for you? What are specific questions you might have as you go deeper into the research process? (2-3 sentences)

D. Rubric (ATTACHED)

E. Requirements
The following requirements must be met for your submission to be graded:

Double-space the outline and use one-inch margins.
Use a readable 12-point font.
All writing must be appropriate for an academic context.
Composition must be original and written for this assignment.
Plagiarism of any kind is strictly prohibited.
Submission must include your name, the name of the course, the date, and the title of your composition.
Submission must include your research question, working thesis, outline, and reflection questions.
Include all of the assignment components in a single file.
Acceptable file formats include .doc and .docx.

ANSWER

Technology has negatively impacted people’s ability to be creative

Research Question 

How has the digital distraction in the various working environment affected the level of people’s creativity?

Thesis

As a result of the paradigm shift in the use of technology, creativity and development ideas have been on a major decline due to the high dependence on online platforms and sources. 

Detailed Outline

 Introduction 

Technology has had a positive impact on the lives of people. However, technology has had a negative impact on

the levels of creativity of people.

This is due to numerous information and ideas regarding various subjects. ( The introduction will further explain more about technology and end with the thesis statement above ).

Digital distraction is easy to deny

Technology has many advantages, which makes it difficult to look squarely at its liabilities. Due to its effectiveness, it makes it easy for persons to get digitally distracted and hence fail to be creative enough when undertaking tasks that require creativity. According to HYDER (2020), technological distractions have made that easier for people since they are designed to seem so useful and nurturing.

Digital distraction kills creativity. 

After getting digitally distracted, one fails to be mindful of who else uses technology. The mind gets distracted from its abilities and concentrates on the use of modern technology y for solutions; he/she hence fails to utilize its full potential (Ingram, 2018).

Technology impact on children 

Depending on the manner used, technology can positively or negatively affect the child’s development and creativity. According to Lazar & Irena (2014), too much dependency on technology can hinder a child from being creative and reduce creative thinking.

 Conclusion 

As a result of the shift in paradigm in the use of technology, people’s creativity, and development ideas as been on a major decline due to the high dependence on online platforms and sources. It is manifest that despite the positive impact of technology, it can also have negative impacts that could lead to reduced creativity.

 Reflection Questions 

The most challenging aspect of the research process was settling on the most suitable thesis for study. This is since it is a key determinant of the results of the research and had to be perfect. There was also the challenge of identifying the most relevant research questions which be used for the entire study process. The working thesis statement is effective since it touches on all the aspects of the study. It is detailed and ensures to fully support one side of the study. As a result, the entire research focuses on analyzing the thesis and highlights points that will either agree or disagree with it. The outline is fully detailed, with all sections that will be covered for the research. It provides a

summary of the key points which will be argued in the study. The outline also provides the guidelines which will ultimately help in making a conclusive argument for the research.

References

HYDER, S. (2020). How Digital Distraction Is Killing Creativity and What to Do About It. Retrieved from https://www.inc.com/shama-hyder/how-digital-distraction-is-killing-creativity-what-to-do-about-it.html

Ingram, J. (2018). Information and imagination: why technology isn’t killing creativity. Retrieved from https://www.raconteur.net/creativity-technology/

Lazar, S., & Irena, S. (2014). Impact of Computers on the Creativity of Children. International Journal of Cognitive Research in Science, Engineering and Education, 2(2).