Wisneski
ENG 102

1. Analytical Argumentative. Analyze those who are for and against a particular issue, or how different sides discuss a particular issue.
   • Example: Analyze those who are for reforming affirmative action at universities, and those who are opposed to such reforms. Present and analyze the reasons for their stances.
   • Example #2: Analyze the strengths and weaknesses behind those who argue for and against allocating more money to women collegiate sports
2. Analysis of a Case Study(ies). Suggest why or how an issue is discussed or presented as it is.
   • Example: Posit why so much media attention is devoted to crime, or why so many people seem to be preoccupied with "decency" standards in television and film.
   • Example #2: Examine how African-Americans are portrayed in prime-time television situation comedies, or how men are typically portrayed in action movies.
3. Problem-Solution Analysis. Examine the solutions posed to a particular problem
   • Example: Present what various sides are saying about sexism or racism in advertisements, and suggest what side has a more convincing case, or what all sides should consider.
   • Example #2: Present what various sides are saying about the unequal distribution of wealth in America, and analyze the different solutions given for it.
4. Historical Analysis/Archival Research. Analyze the state of an issue—how an issue has been discussed over a certain period of time, or how a current issue compares to a similar issue from the past.
   • Example: Examine how prejudice has been discussed over the course of 10-30 years, with specific historical incidents (e.g. Japanese Interment Camps, Emmitt Till incident).
   • Example #2: Examine how news media’s coverage of terrorism today compares to news media’s coverage of terrorism in the 1972 Summer Olympic Games, or the 1979-1980 Iran Hostage Crisis
5. Cause/Effect Analysis. Analyze the causes of and effects from a particular issue.
   • Examples: Analyze the causes for inequalities in funding public schools, and the effects of these inequalities; or, analyze the causes of and effects from suburban sprawl
   • Example #2: Examine the causes of racial profiling, involving a specific ethnicity, and the effects of such profiling.
6. Case Study Analysis. Present a case study—report on a particular issue.
   • Example: Report on two schools, each from different socio-economic areas, in terms of their use of and access to technology (a.k.a. the "digital divide").
   • Example #2: Report on student and teacher reactions to standardized tests in high school.
7. Bibliographic Analysis. Present overview of discussion on a particular subject.
   • Examples: Research that has been done on America’s "War on Terrorism," or U.S. environmental policies, or funding towards education.

Regardless of Research Paper Type, have in the paper:

• History/Background on Subject
• Scholarly sources/Informed sources
• Specific examples (not just general examples, and not just personal examples)
• Qualifier—showing other viewpoints, sides, ideas, or issues.
• Complexities of the subject. This avoids over-generalizations, or making a complex issue sound too simplistic