Alternative Research Path

          The topic that I originally chose for my research paper was whether or not standardized testing could accurately and effectively measure student intellect and competency. If I hadn't settled on that topic, however, I probably would have chosen a topic along the lines of the decriminalization of marijuana. The main reason I would have chosen this topic is because, although marijuana is quickly becoming more acceptable in many areas of the United States, I truly believe that it is still misunderstood by a vast majority of the population. Rather than just sound like a typical stoner, vying for support because I think weed is cool, I would have wanted to flush out the specific instances where marijuana has provided the necessary support for individuals struggling with both mental and physical ailments as well as delve into the reasons why it is still vastly taboo in many political debates.

          If I were to decide on using this as my topic, one article I would use as a source would be the Washington Post article explaining that for the first time, a majority of the population is in favor of the legalization of marijuana. It would be effective in my paper because it would showcase how the majority of individuals feel about marijuana and how the perception of the substance as a criminal thing has dramatically shifted over the years. The main reason I did not choose this issue as my topic is because I feel as if it is a bit overdone and cliché. It is such a hot topic currently, especially being in Colorado, that I feel it would be a more effective use of my time to highlight the errors and inaccuracy in standardized testing, which applies to a vastly larger portion of the population, namely every single student in public schools.

Editorial Effectiveness

          With any controversial topic, it is usually imperative to include some sort of editorial content in a research paper in order to establish your own point of view on the issue. While remaining unbiased and objective, an author should use thesis statements and other aspects of opinionated writing to express his stance on the argument that he is either supporting or denying. Editorials are different from other articles because rather than just handing out the facts about a certain event, the author gives his own personal feedback and opinion on the topic. In editorials, it is necessary for the author to contribute his own views.
          As for my topic on the inaccuracy and ineffectiveness of standardized testing on measuring student intellect and competency, an editorial might be important to show how the general public feels about the vast overuse of standardized testing in the United States. Allowing a student to publish an editorial on standardized testing in a local newspaper would allow him to express how he, and most likely his peers, are affected by testing regiments and how they personally feel about it. Teachers could write about their opinions on how standardized testing is affecting the quality of classroom settings and it would allow individuals, such as teachers and administrators to have an insight into what it is like for teachers struggling to maintain an introspective learning environment while still having to teach to the test. In the editorial written by the editors of "Rethinking Schools," the sordid history of standardized testing is examined and criticized as well as the statements of several high ranking individuals who have spoken out about standardized testing. The editors of this column effectively evaluate outside sources while skillfully interjecting their own opinions to create a very successful editorial.

Developing a Working Thesis

          The thesis statement in any research paper is the most important part of grabbing an audience’s attention and displaying what the author will be discussing for the length of his paper. It is imperative for an author to develop a well-thought and effective thesis statement in order to start off his paper powerfully. If done well, the thesis statement will tell the reader the main point of the essay, the author’s assertion, and why the essay is worth reading. One way to develop and effective thesis statement is through a working thesis statement. A working thesis statement takes the author’s main claim and then supports it through several specific reasons. This helps the author plainly lay out what he needs to cover in his paper and can help organizationally.
          In my essay about standardized testing in the United States, I could argue two different ways. I could either emphasize the effects of too much standardized testing in public schools or I could focus on the structure of the tests themselves and how they fail as accurate testing applications. The first working thesis that I could develop would look like this:

          Public schools in the United States should reduce the amount of standardized tests that are administered annually because they cause students to experience frequent, extreme pressure and anxiety; because school funding and grants could be based off of the test results; because ups and downs in test results that are attributed to natural learning curves will be nullified; because teachers will focus less on teaching valuable information in the classroom and focus more on teaching to the test, and because frequent standardized testing will eliminate the opportunity for creativity in school by teaching conformity and “standard” knowledge.

         
           Next, I could focus on the construction of standardized tests and state:

          Standardized tests fail to provide an accurate portrayal of student intelligence and competence because they contain vague questions with confusing language; because they focus largely on information that is gleaned outside of classroom learning; because they are biased against minority, low-income, and special needs children; because they do not reflect any real-world problem-solving situations, and because they fail to assess the broad spectrum of student traits, such as creativity, compassion, and perseverance.

          Both thesis statements will lead into very different papers and by laying out all of the support for my claim in a working thesis, I can decide which thesis I will be able to more effectively develop.