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Julia Wu
Dana Murphy
Writing 39C
10 February 2014
Please thoughtfully answer the following questions. Let me know if you’d like to complete this
assignment by hand, otherwise, please submit your work on Canvas.
On sources:
1. What can secondary sources provide that primary sources generally don’t include?
A secondary source is a source that tells you about the past but that is made in the
present, while a primary source originates from the past. A secondary source
usually provides interpretations and analysis of a primary source.
2. What are the limitations of using secondary sources alone? What if you only used primary
sources?
When using only secondary sources, you are limited in your credibility because your
analyses of an event or object may be swayed by your own biases or current views of a
past event. Secondary sources are not as direct as primary sources because secondary
sources are reported by people who did not physically witness the event. Primary sources
are more direct, however primary sources can also be swayed by the biases of the witness.
3. What makes every primary source unique?
Every primary source is created in its original period in history. It provides people who
are studying that time period with valuable material of a certain event or historical
moment because it is produced by witnesses to or participants of an event.
4. Can you always rely on primary sources for accuracy?
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Most primary sources are credible sources because they come from participants of the
event or object however they are not always accurate because the information could be
based on a persons biases or interpretations of only certain aspecta of the event and not
the event as whole.
On choosing a research topic:
1. Determine a research topic for your final composition. Start by completing the AGWR
assignment on pg. 226, “Starting With Your Interests.” For more help, read pgs. 221-231.
 Part 1:
o Food, television, buying new things, shopping, cooking, cleanliness, crafting,
hanging out with friends, dressing up and looking nice, going to formal
events, volunteering, the feeling you get when you perform random acts of
kindness, taking showers, spending time with family, playing with children,
singing obnoxiously, playing games, listening to music, sleeping, eating junk
food

Part 2:
o Volunteering:
 Volunteering is such a great thing to do because you are giving back to
your community and helping others who are less fortunate. This could
connect to a possible topic because the question embedded into
volunteering is why are there people in situations that need help. Why
are some people less fortunate than others? Why is there a separation
in society when we are all human? Why do some people live luxurious
lives while other people live in poverty? I assume it has something to
do with their level of education, upbringing, living environment,
culture, the economy, etc.
o Taking showers, cleanliness, etc:
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
I am quite a clean freak. I cannot go a day without shower or else I feel
gross. I hate bugs and my living environment must be clean and bug
free. This need for cleanliness is a product of my upbringing and the
environment I grew up in. This could be a possible topic because it
could branch to why are people need to be clean and hygienic. Why
are there people living in situations that are not? Etc.
2. Additionally if you look at pgs. 241-3:
Define your problem:
More and more people are becoming obese due to unhealthy eating habits especially from fast
food chains.
Indicate who is harmed/what is the extent of that harm:
Teenagers and younger children more specifically are being harmed because they are becoming
obese. Obesity is a serious health issue that may lead to increased risk of heart disease, type 2
diabetes, high blood pressure, cancers, and even death.
Write a focused these (no more than two sentences) that establishes WHAT the problem is,
WHERE it exists, WHO is causing it, and WHY it is an important and pressing problem that we
should be worried about solving:
People who are considered obese have a higher risk of many health-threatening issues like
diabetes and heart disease. Obesity is an increasing health issue for many people, especially
women and children, around the world, due to the many unhealthy foods available such as fast
food, frozen food, and the like, and physical inactivity.