The Bedford Researcher -- Chapter 2 Summary

The Bedford Researcher, Chapter 2: Exploring and Focusing guides the reader in discussing the appropriate topic. The first part of Chapter 2 goes into detail about topic exploration, topic discussion, preliminary observations, and finding sources. The latter of the three can be done by searching the library for books, articles, CD-ROMs, DVDs, and magazines related to the reader's topic, as well as browsing newsstands and bookstores, searching available databases, searching the web, and browsing electronic web discussion forums, blogs, and wikis. Chapter 2 asks the reader to record their search results and sources, annotate their sources, and identify conversations in their sources. The second part of Chapter 2 discusses how the reader can focus on an issue in their topic and identify conversations of issue in their topic. This can be completed by finding repeated concepts in the reader's sources, finding disagreements, recurring voices, and broad themes discussed in said sources. Chapter 2 asks the reader to asses their interest in the issues and choose an issue that will help them achieve their purposes as a writer. Chapter 2 will come very much in handy to the reader looking for the right topic, issues, and in need of valid resources.