3.+Developing+Basic+Knowledge+about+Your+Topic

To begin to develop basic knowledge about your topic it will be important for you to know what others are saying about your topic and what terms/words/phrases are used in discussing this issue.


 * Learning Terms/Words/Phrases to Better Understand Your Topic**

In the Topic Overview section of SIRS, "Terms to Know" are given as a way to help you explore your topic. Below you will find an example of terms in the "Terms to Know" section for the topic Animal Rights:

//animal liberation:// Another word for the animal rights movement //factory farms:// A large-scale farming enterprise //PETA:// Animal rights organization, People for the Ethical Treatment of //Animals whaling :// The business or practice of hunting, killing, and processing whales zoo: A park or an institution in which living animals are kept and usually exhibited to the public

In addition, you may want to try use **define:** search feature in Google.

Below you will find the Google results when asking for the definition for animal rights. Example:


 * define:animal rights**

Related phrases: __animal rights movement __ __animal rights militia __ __abolitionism animal rights __ __animal rights activists __ __animal rights in islam __ __list animal rights groups __ __bullfighting and animal rights __ __history of animal rights __ __animal rights campaigns __ __abolition and animal rights __ Definitions of **animal rights** on the Web: · Animal rights, also referred to as animal liberation, is the idea that the most basic interests of animals should be afforded the same consideration as the similar interests of humans."." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2007. ...  __ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_rights __ · This article is about the album Animal Rights. For the rights movement, see Animal rights. __ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_Rights_(album) __ · The concept that animals are entitled to certain fundamental rights such as the right to be spared undue suffering __ en.wiktionary.org/wiki/animal_rights __ · The movement to protect animals from being used, exploited, or regarded as property by humans. The term Animal Rights is sometimes abbreviated in ... __ www.all-creatures.org/articles/act-gloss.html __ · The rights to humane treatment claimed on behalf of animals, especially the right not to be exploited for human purposes. ... __ allelephants.com/allinfo/trumble16.php __ · Mr.Redhill __ www.statemaster.com/encyclopedia/Andrew-Hill-High-School __

To fully understand your issue it important to answer the following questions:
 * Who are the stakeholders involved in this issue? In other words, who is affected by the way this constitutional issue has been interpreted by the courts?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">In reading a number of articles about this topic, what have you determined to be the main controversies concerning this issue?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Constitutional issues are given voice by key figures and organizations surrounding this issue. Who and what are they?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Constitutional issues that have taken place in our history or are currently taking place in our country are usually shaped by significant events. What events are significant to this issue?