What is an I-search?
An Isearch is a research paper that asks a question. It does not simply gather information for its own sake. It asks a question, and then you hunt for information that answers the question.
It is a question whose answer matters to your life in some way. It is a question you really do not know the answer to, but you would like to. It is a question which you can realistically pursue in the course of a single semester. It is a question with more legs, depth, angles, and nuance than a simple yes/no answer.
It is a research paper that puts "I"--you--at the center of things.
What do you want to write about? Hit songs
What do you want to find out about your topic? How do you make a hit song, what goes into writing the music and lyrics, and what makes it a hit song, is it the music or the lyrics?
What are your questions about the topic?
1. How long does it take to write a hit song?
2. What makes a hit song (what does it have to be about)?
3. Does the music or lyrics make the song a hit?
How does it connect to your life?
I love music, it’s my soul, but I find that what songs or artists I love other people can’t stand, and vice versa. So I want to know what makes a hit song to different people.
Give three reasons you like the topic
1. I am constantly listening to music.
2. I am learning to play violin, piano, and guitar.
3. I want to write my own music.
Give three ways your life might change if you answer your questions
1. I might get over my stage fright and be able to sing and talk in front of people.
2. I might decide to change my career goals.
3. I might get famous (very large might there but it could happen, maybe).
Do you already know the answer to your question? If the answer is sitting in a single book somewhere or if all you need do to find the answer is make some simple decision or ask one person one question, it isn't going to work out for a research paper becuase there isn't much you can research. Is it that kind of question and answer? If it is, please redo the worksheet.
So, you're into music, you want to research songwriting--and you want to try writing a song as part of the isearch maybe, applying your book knowledge? Have I got that right?
ReplyDeleteYes, I also wanna learn what makes different songs more or less appealing to people, like why a love song can appeal to one person who's never had a significant other but another person who's never had a significant other will hate the same love song.
ReplyDeleteFinding out why some songs appeal and others is going to be very tricky. Taste is very personal, and I'd have a very hard time explaining, for example, why I like Delta blues and don't like Chicago blues. I just do!
ReplyDelete