This document provides feedback on a student's pre-search mapping for developing a research topic. It indicates that the student has shown evidence of searching three sources and one database. The student's map is organized by source and includes vocabulary, concepts, and ideas related to search terms. However, the feedback suggests the student could focus more on terms, vocabulary and concepts rather than facts, and flesh out more information from some sources. The student included a running list of search terms but could aim for 7-10 terms. Based on the pre-search map, the topic is moving in the right direction but may need refinement, so the student should do more searching as they revise their thesis statement.

1. Pre-Search Mapping Feedback
Ms. Hamilton, 3/23/15
Element/Criteria Yes Somewhat No or
Unclear
You have shown evidence of searching at
least three sources
You have searched at least one database
Your map is organized by source and
vocabulary/concepts/ideas related to your
search terms
You seem to have included sufficient details
with the vocabulary/concepts/ideas
/5Ws(at least 3-4 solid ones per source)
 Try to focus on notingterms,
v ocabulary, concepts insteadof
facts to help you open up and
expandyour search
 You may need to flesh out more
terms/concepts/voc. from some
sources.
You included a running list of search terms
(we’re looking for at least five but
encourage you to aim for 7-10
Items for Revision and/or Further Action
Status Next Action Steps for Search
and Reflection for You
Your Status
(Indicated by
Checkmark)
Your topic is focused and moving in the
right direction though it may need some
additional refinement. However, you are
ready to move forward with more search to
help you craft a more focused and/or
researchable topic.
 MOVE FORWARD WITH
ADDITIONAL SEARCH AS WE
PREPARE TO REVISE THESIS
STATEMENTS.
It looks like you may need to search more
sources and/or record more
terms/concepts as well aspossibly try
additional search terms to get to a topic
that is more focused and/or researchable
in order to make an argument that your
topic is or is not sustainable.
 DO ADDITIONAL SEARCH
AND COMPLETE or REVISE
YOUR PRESEARCH MAP;
 WE WILL CONFERENCE
WITH YOU DURING CLASS
this week.
Your pre-search map doesn't reflect the
level of work/depth we expected today.
Consequently, your topic feels broad or
not researchable based on what we are
seeing. More work is needed for us to see
if you are onto a focused topic that you can
develop for the paper. You will need to
revise and resubmit your map this week,
please.
 You will need to do additional
pre-search and resubmit or
consider changing topics and
doing a new pre-search map,
please. WE WILL
CONFERENCE WITH YOU
DURING CLASS this week.
Name:____________________________________
Period: ___________________________________
Working Topic: ______________________________