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ENG 101 - Technology

2. Explore Your Topic

After thoroughly examining your assignment, now it's time to look for some initial background research on your topic.  Try a search in the following database to learn more about your topic.

Analyze Your Topic

Magnifying Glass

Who

Think about some of the top technology companies that have changed our lives--Google, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and Snapchat. You may think of others.

What

Reading a summary to learn more about your topic will help you understand it better. It can also provide you with keywords, specialized vocabulary, and definitions, which will be useful for future searches.

When

Technology changes rapidly, so pay attention to the dates on your sources. Some historical material may be helpful, but you will want to focus on the more recent developments in technology.

Where

Technology is affecting life worldwide. Many databases or internet articles may focus on countries other than the United States. It might be helpful to decide if you want to focus on the United States, or if you want your focus to be broader and include other countries.

Why

Getting background information on why people are interested in your topic can help you craft an argument. Why does this issue matter to people? What's at stake?