Informative vs. Persuasive Topics

In writing a research paper, you need to go through the same steps you'd go through for any other kind of paper--brainstorming, outlining, writing drafts, etc. However, the way you proceed depends on the type of paper you're writing. Research papers fall into two general categories-informative and persuasive. As we'll see, these categories overlap somewhat, but let's start with basic definitions.

Informative papers

An informative paper is a "report" of some kind. It presents facts and explanations, but not an obvious opinion about them.

Examples of informative topics:

    The history and development of the Peace Corps

    The purposes of affirmative action

    The evolution of the Internet

    The plot and major themes of the novel Beloved

Notice, however, that in an informative paper, you also use some persuasive tactics. Your explanation of how the Peace Corps developed must make sense; you need to show your reader how one event led to the next. In other words, you have to "persuade" the reader that your facts are right.

Persuasive papers

A persuasive paper, sometimes call an argumentative paper, openly attempts to convince the reader of the writer's point of view. In this type of paper, you choose a position regarding a specific and debatable topic. College teachers are especially interested in your ability to develop and present an argument, and so we'll dwell on this a bit longer.

Examples of persuasive topics:

    In developing nations, the Peace Corps has improved the image of the "ugly American."

    Affirmative action remains essential to create equal educational opportunities.

    The Internet has improved communication between corporations and their customers.

    The ghost in Beloved embodies the family's desire for revenge against the people who enslaved them.