what is a good topic sentence for a research paper on hazing that is not so broad

In order to take a broad topic, like hazing, and make it into a focused topic for a research paper, there are a few brainstorming techniques you can use. The first technique is clustering -- also called mapping, webbing, or free association. This technique helps you to understand what you already know about the topic and organize your thoughts.

To begin, write the word "hazing" on a sheet of paper. Then, write a list of...

In order to take a broad topic, like hazing, and make it into a focused topic for a research paper, there are a few brainstorming techniques you can use. The first technique is clustering -- also called mapping, webbing, or free association. This technique helps you to understand what you already know about the topic and organize your thoughts.

To begin, write the word "hazing" on a sheet of paper. Then, write a list of five words that come to your mind when you think of hazing. For this example, let's say you list terms like: college, Greek life, peer pressure, alcohol, expulsion. Which of these five words is most interesting to you, or would be most interesting to your reader? Choose only one. Take the word or phrase that most interests you and make a list for it. Again, choose the terms that are most interesting to you. Let's say you selected peer pressure as the term most interesting to you, under which you list the words: tribe, fun, homesick. Now you have a collection of ideas around the topic of hazing as it relates to peer pressure.

Now, take your small collection of terms and perform some preliminary research, to see what other reputable sources have to say. Preliminary research will help you to see if you are on the right track with your topic. If reputable sources have something to say about your search terms, you are likely on the right track and will be able to find sources to back up your thesis. For example, if you search "hazing + peer pressure + homesick," several articles come up that discuss how hazing is often a result of trying to fit in on a new campus (if you have trouble finding any reputable sources that relate to your topic, go back to your first word map and choose a new term).

After you've decided which terms relating to hazing interest you most and you have seen the research available about those terms, start to draft a topic sentence that incorporates those terms and your own point of view. The topic can be something simple, like: "Research suggests there is a strong link between homesickness and becoming the victim of hazing," or you can narrow the topic even more, like: "The correlation of reported homesickness in college freshmen and becoming a victim of hazing appears directly proportional to the size of campus."

What does Scout mean when she says, “By some voo-doo system Cal already seemed to know all about it?” (p. 103)

In chapter 11, Scout and Jem are walking past Mrs. Dubose's home on their way to the store when Mrs. Dubose begins to make derogatory comments toward them. Mrs. Dubose tells the children,

Your father’s no better than the niggers and trash he works for! (Lee, 105).

Jem becomes infuriated after hearing Mrs. Dubose insult his father and ends up destroying her camellia bush on their walk back from the store. When the children arrive...

In chapter 11, Scout and Jem are walking past Mrs. Dubose's home on their way to the store when Mrs. Dubose begins to make derogatory comments toward them. Mrs. Dubose tells the children,

Your father’s no better than the niggers and trash he works for! (Lee, 105).

Jem becomes infuriated after hearing Mrs. Dubose insult his father and ends up destroying her camellia bush on their walk back from the store. When the children arrive home, they sulk in the kitchen until Calpurnia kicks them out. Scout mentions,

By some voo-doo system Calpurnia seemed to know all about it (Lee, 106).

Scout is humorously acknowledging Calpurnia's instincts and awareness that Jem has done something wrong. Calpurnia can sense that Jem has done something that will get him into trouble judging by his body language, depressed mood, and the fact that he is not excited about seeing Atticus when he comes home from work. Scout's inability to understand Calpurnia's innate senses and awareness is the reason she ascribes Cal's knowledge of Jem's offense to "some voo-doo system." From Scout's naive, childhood perspective, Calpurnia could only know about Jem's offense through some sort of magical, supernatural ability. 

How does voter turnout in the US compare to the voter turnout in other countries? How do you explain the differences? What were the effects of the...

The United States voter turnout is a topic of interest because despite the nation being a strong democracy, it ranks lower in voter turnout compared to other developed countries. The voter turnout was slightly higher in 2016 when compared to 2012, but it remained lower than the record turnout in 2008. In 2016, the voter turnout was estimated to have reached 55.7%, which was lower compared to countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The highest was Belgium at 87.2%.

In the United States, voter registration by those eligible is voluntary. Thus, the number of registered voters is much lower compared to the number of potential voters. In states where competition is low between the parties, low voter turnouts have been recorded due to minimal interest. Restrictive voting laws such as photo ID mandates have also impacted negatively on turnout.

The Motor Voter law was introduced to improve participation of marginalized groups in polls. However, the law has not yielded the expected results because its main focus is on registration. Marginalized groups have yet to be convinced of the need to turn out and vote. The Australian ballot system serves the purpose of reducing fraud and expanding voter freedom during the actual voting, but it cannot motivate voters to turn out at the ballot. Thus, more needs to be done to motivate and convince the eligible voters to register and participate in electing their representatives.

In "Half and Half," by Amy Tan, what does the metaphor mean when the narrator writes, "My mother believed in God's will for many years. It was as...

It's a way of expressing An-mei's simple faith in God. An-mei firmly believes that her faith is responsible for all the blessings and good things she's received in life. The faucet metaphor is very useful, because it perfectly encapsulates a comforting, uncomplicated understanding of what faith in God entails. Just as when we're thirsty, we turn on a faucet to get a drink of water; when An-mei wants to enjoy the blessings of life, she...

It's a way of expressing An-mei's simple faith in God. An-mei firmly believes that her faith is responsible for all the blessings and good things she's received in life. The faucet metaphor is very useful, because it perfectly encapsulates a comforting, uncomplicated understanding of what faith in God entails. Just as when we're thirsty, we turn on a faucet to get a drink of water; when An-mei wants to enjoy the blessings of life, she places her unconditional faith in God.

But as her faith is based largely upon an almost constant flow of blessings, it's inevitable that when the "faucet" is turned off, then that faith will falter. And that's precisely what happens in the case of An-mei. For when Bing, her youngest child, falls into the sea, An-mei implores God to give her son back to her. Sadly, her prayers go unanswered and An-mei loses her faith.

`3^(3x-7)=81^(12-3x)` Solve the equation.

`3^(3x-7)=81^(12-3x)`

To solve, factor 81.

`3^(3x-7)=(3^4)^(12-3x)`

To simplify the right side, apply the exponent rule `(a^m)^n=a^(m*n)` .

`3^(3x-7)=3^(4*(12-3x))`

`3^(3x-7)= 3^(48-12x)`

Since both sides have the same base, to solve for the value of x, set the exponent at the left equal to the exponent at the right.

`3x-7=48-12x`

`3x+12x=48+7`

`15x=55`

`x=55/15`

`x=11/3`

Therefore, the solution is `x=11/3` .

`3^(3x-7)=81^(12-3x)`

To solve, factor 81.

`3^(3x-7)=(3^4)^(12-3x)`

To simplify the right side, apply the exponent rule `(a^m)^n=a^(m*n)` .

`3^(3x-7)=3^(4*(12-3x))`

`3^(3x-7)= 3^(48-12x)`

Since both sides have the same base, to solve for the value of x, set the exponent at the left equal to the exponent at the right.

`3x-7=48-12x`

`3x+12x=48+7`

`15x=55`

`x=55/15`

`x=11/3`

Therefore, the solution is `x=11/3` .

The Civil Rights movement is considered to be related to Madison democracy in America. What is the relationship between the struggle to achieve...

Madison defined our democratic government as a republic rather than as a pure democracy. The difference, in his words from The Federalist Papers, is that a republic is "a government in which the scheme of representation takes place." The Civil Rights movement advanced the struggle to achieve American democracy by fighting for African-Americans to enjoy the same basic liberties as other people and by gaining access to the franchise (the right to vote) for African-Americans.

Before the modern phase of the Civil Rights movement, African-Americans' rights were restricted. In the south, very few African-Americans were allowed to vote, as they were subject to poll taxes, literacy tests, and grandfather clauses (which stated that people couldn't vote if their grandfathers couldn't vote). In some southern states, the African-American voting rate was less than 10%. The Civil Rights movement fought for African-American voting rights. For example, in 1964, the Mississippi Freedom Summer, organized by CORE, Martin Luther King's SCLC, SNCC, and the NAACP, registered African-Americans to vote. Civil rights workers were killed, and others risked their lives. Eventually, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 put the power of the federal government behind the enforcement of African-American voting rights. By being able to vote, African-Americans were able to exercise their right to participate in our republican form of government by which we elect people to represent us at the local, state, and federal levels.

The Civil Rights movement also resulted in the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which made racial and forms of other discrimination in public facilities, schools, and the workplace illegal. A democracy allows rights to all its people, including people in the minority, so by granting these rights to African-Americans, the U.S. became more democratic.  

I'm writing an analysis essay on James Hogg's The Brownie of Bodsbeck. I've received feedback suggesting I connect how the nationalistic and...

From the information given in this question, it sounds as if your editor would like to see a further demonstration in your essay of the two female characters and how their struggles mirror the larger national issues in the story. The Brownie of Bodsbeckis known for Hogg's unconventional female characters, who do not conform to stereotypical female roles. Katherine's importance to the nation, despite the fact that she is unmarried and denies courtship with...

From the information given in this question, it sounds as if your editor would like to see a further demonstration in your essay of the two female characters and how their struggles mirror the larger national issues in the story. The Brownie of Bodsbeck is known for Hogg's unconventional female characters, who do not conform to stereotypical female roles. Katherine's importance to the nation, despite the fact that she is unmarried and denies courtship with the "Highland hero," gives Scotland a new kind of heroine that is set apart from earlier symbolic Scottish figures. Other characters are male but are lower-class in Scottish standards, yet play a vital part in helping their country. Hogg is showing how two non-traditional types of national hero are nonetheless hugely important to their nation. Many characters deny Katharine's usefulness and are even frightened of her, but Nanny is one of the few that can see through the former "ideals" to the new revolution that is coming true in reality. The feedback from your instructor implies that he/she would like you to juxtapose these two characters and their femininity with the larger picture of Scottish politics and freedom.