Rise of THE Sunflowers!

I suppose it is that time of the week, time to pick an article.

So, I have been thinking... and thinking... and thinking!

I have analyzed a few articles throughout my college career but they were all articles I liked and agreed with. I have decided to take a road less traveled and analyze an article I am not fond of. I found an article titled The Rise of Sunflowers in a botany journal that is ridiculously vague and all over the place. I am hoping that the flaws in the authors writing will help me create great talking points in my paper.

Wish me luck!

Biting the Bullet

Sunflowers are an overwhelming topic to say the least. There so many avenues I could take, but I ultimately have to slim it down to one. So I will share some specific ideas with you and see where it takes me.

Possibilities for analysis:

1) A poem

Four poems about sunflowers caught my eye... they are amazing! I am not sure if I am allowed to analyze a poem. If I am, I think it would be the most fun route for this up and coming paper.

2) The lineage of Sunflowers

I found a great article on the lineage of flowers in a botany journal. 

3) Sunflower oil as biodiesel

I found two articles on this where they analyzed the combustion rates to make sure the sunflower oil could preform well as a biodiesel. Both of the experiments I looked at agreed that sunflower oil can be used as biodiesel.

4) Sunflower use in teaching

A kindergarten teacher used Van Gogh's Sunflowers as a teaching platform for art. It had a bunch of pictures that the kids drew of Sunflowers replicating Van Gogh.  

Topic Trouble

Sunflower Seed Spread
 (Aka: Sunbutter)

Sunflower Oil





 

Alight I am going to be honest, yesterdays class scared me a bit. I am supposed to come up with a new twist on sunflowers... something that has not been thought of before. Goodness, this feels like a daunting task and I am completely dreading it. I suppose I have only been putting it off for two days. I need help getting over this fear. Any advice?

Sunflower Seeds

Final Decision

Do I pick an easy topic or do I pick a topic I am passionate about?... that is the question.

I think it is time in my college career to pick a topic I am actually passionate about. I should not pick one that is simple or one that could be somewhat interesting when I have the perfect topic at my fingertips. It is time I move from my boring little box and live a little. I have thought long and hard over the past couple weeks and talked myself into SUNFLOWERS!


I would like to thank all of you for your amazing input. It is so helpful when picking a topic to receive feedback from an outside observer.

Picking a Topic-- My Thought Process

Does the topic work for future writing assignments?

Will I be able to find enough research information? 

Will I be able to think of something "unthought" of about this topic? 

How well can I analyze this topic?

Topic 1) Nutrition

I am already taking a class on this subject and will not be required to write any essays. So, I really do not want to tackle this large topic. 

DISCARD PILE

Topic 2) Dancing

I have been in dance classes since I was four years old and have lost nearly all my love for dancing. It is a somewhat depressing topic due to the behavior of other dancers and jealousy (not on my part). I do not think I could be passionate about this subject even if you paid me.

DISCARD PILE

Topic 3) Public Transportation (Costs and Benefits)

Lets just say that I dislike public transportation with a passion. I do not like random people to sit next to me nor do I like to be bothered while I am CLEARLY doing homework of some sort. I use public transportation because its inexpensive and I am a poor college student. If I chose this topic I would not want to argue the positives, I would want to argue the negative aspects of public transportation.

DISCARD PILE

Topic 4) Sunflowers 

Is there one thing you think about that always makes you smile? No matter my mood, no matter where I am, sunflowers always make me smile. It may be their perky color, or the fresh sent of summer that brings me happiness. I am curious about all the varieties as well as future uses for sunflower oil. Will I be able to run a car on sunflower oil? Is sunflower oil a healthy alternative?

POSSIBILITY

Topic 5) Death

This topic would be interesting if you went broad and compared burial traditions with other countries. Also, I think this topic is too 

broad and daunting since I know little about traditions in other countries.

DISCARD PILE 

Topic 6) Instant Gratification ( ipad, iphone, google, e-readers)

This topic is so interesting because you can take it so many different directions. You could talk about youth and how cellphones, e-readers and google have influenced the world these children grow up in.  You can even talk about the elderly and how they have been influenced by electronics. I believe i will be able to find ample studies and resources regarding instant gratification. 

POSSIBILITY 

There you have it-- I have narrowed my choices down to only two.

Initial Post

     I have been brainstorming topics for the upcoming topic proposal all day long. I initially thought a familiar topic would be easier and thus a great idea. I have since then decided that I would like to write about an unfamiliar topic so I can expand my knowledge. This is the time to learn and broaden my mind so I am choosing to embrace it. So far I have created a list of six possible topics. I do not gravitate to any particular one and will choose based on information availability.

Possible Topics
1). Nutrition
2). Dancing
3). Public Transportation (Cost and Benefits)
4). Sunflowers
5). Death
6). Instant Gratification (impulsive decisions, netflix, ipad, iphone, google)