Topic: Unsolved Mysteries
This paper will be drawn from the overarching topic of “Unsolved Mysteries,” which is a lot more open than you might think. The range of potential subtopics underneath the uber-topic is practically innumerable. I’ve listed a few of the more famous unsolved mysteries below, but you are not limited to these. If there is something else underneath the umbrella that you’d prefer to research and write about, you can do so. All topics will be run by me for approval in any case.
Style: This is an informative paper. The basic idea is for you to give detailed background information about the topic of your choosing, discussing the facts only. Give historical context, discuss timelines, lay out specifics, provide all sides of a debate with some equal measure, and otherwise work to be as objective as humanly possible. You will write an argument paper later that is based on this paper.
Now, the paper will need a narrow enough focus to fit in the paper requirements. The danger here really is not in being too narrow, but in being too broad. The topics above are probably okay because these events are limited, with a few major theories surrounding their mysteries, and are isolated instances. Something like “the Bermuda Triangle” is too broad as it covers literally too much of the Earth’s surface, has too many smaller pieces, and is generally known to be nonsense. Also, cryptozoology (like the Loch Ness Monster or Bigfoot) don’t really count as they are not unsolved mysteries about factual events. They are speculative nonsense with no basis in reality.
This paper is not an argument. It is not argumentative to explain that MH370 disappeared with very little evidence of what happened to it or where it went. Those are facts. It is not argumentative to discuss the potential theories surrounding the death of Natalee Holloway, the high school student who disappeared and is presumed dead after a trip to Aruba. The argument comes later in the second paper when you “solve the mystery” (don’t do that yet! Save it for paper 3!) by advocating for one particular theory over another.
Also, remember this is a relatively short paper, so you need to narrow the topic accordingly. A topic that is not narrowed down is a nightmare.
You should have an original title that is merely not the subject of your paper. For example The Disappearance of Natalee Holloway would not be an acceptable title; it is already taken by the actual disappearance of Natalee Holloway. Titles should be creative, bordering on poetic, by using juxtaposition, hyperbole, onomatopoeia, alliteration, or other such technique borrowed from creative writing and literature.
You should have an interesting introduction/hook that leads your reader to a clear narrowed thesis. What is the mystery you researched, and what are the main theories about it? This should be clear in your first paragraph, given the short page requirement: 1200-1500 words is about 5 to 7 pages, not including the Works Cited page.
