Finding Focus

Physicists search for a Unified Theory of Everything, and I wish them much good fortune in finding it. Most of us, however, have to focus on only a few aspects of the universe, not everything that is or isn’t, at least when writing a research paper. Your instructor is likely to tell you to narrow your topic, find a part of the whole and discuss it in detail, showing its relevance to the whole.

It sounds easy to find a singular area of a broad subject to concentrate on and write about it. Sometimes it actually is. Researchers/writers who consider what interests them the most find their focus more rapidly than those who don’t think their way through to find part of a subject that is of concern or interest to them. At first glance, some subjects may seem to be as dry and dull as miles of sand with no ocean next to it, but research does mean to do some searching.

When you are given an assignment, perhaps one issue connected to the broad topic is of greater importance to you than others, or one person involved historically might appeal to you more than others. If your research is on Transcendentalism, for instance, there may be one idea that intrigues you, maybe the Over Soul, or one poet or essayist whose voice resonates with you, Thoreau, Emerson, or a lesser known writer, perhaps.

At times your instructor will be specific and give you instructions to write on one facet, even directing you in the assignment to focus on just that one facet. In such a case, read the assignment carefully to find the specific focus your instructor has given you (and maybe even fake interest if you have none at first). There may also be some leeway with an already focused and specific topic. You might concentrate on meanings and discuss what the one facet of the whole reveals about the rest.

Before beginning your research, ask yourself what you already know about the subject. Even if you don’t know much about it initially, you will probably find that you have some ideas, right or wrong, or some feeling about the subject. Then when you start searching for information, note how you react when reading. Are you interested and concentrating? Are you yawning and thinking of putting your head on the desk for a quick snooze? Pay special attention to anything that catches your attention; but If preliminary research causes only boredom, ask yourself why that is and then see if what fails to hold your attention might lead to something that does.

If I were to write a research paper on any sea bird of the Coastal Bend, I would choose the Brown Pelican because they look prehistoric to me, as if they’ve been around since long before the dinosaurs even. In my research, I might find when they did come to be among the Gulf Coast wildlife –probably somewhat later than the dinosaurs. The point is that of all the sea birds here, Brown Pelicans are the ones I find the most fascinating. My research would be much more fun for me than if I chose a bird that doesn’t seem as remarkable to me as the pelican.

No matter what the general area of discussion, a bit of reflection and preliminary research should guide you to the part of it that you find of more interest than any other, which is the key to making research enjoyable – and the paper you write more enthralling for the reader.

See you next time the breeze is cool, the sun is up, and the waves roll into view! ‘Til then, hang ten!