Starting the Process with
Brainstorming
(Week 1)
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Topic Selection
Narrowing it Down
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Think it Through
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Make it something that you are interested in
if the instructor does not give a prompt.
Pick something that you can find a lot of
information about. (Conduct a search on
JSTOR or other academic databases prior to
locking into a topic)
Make sure that your topic is approved by the
instructor. (avoid played out topics such as
abortion, marijuana legalization…etc.)
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If you have a topic that is too broad then it is
a good idea to narrow it down. For example,
if you are thinking about writing about the
topic “education” then ask yourself a couple
simple questions to help focus your topic:
What specific part of education do you want
to address?
What point are you trying to make about
education?
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Broad Topic = Education
Answer “What specific part of education do you
want to address?”
The costs associated with attending college.
Answer “What point are you trying to make about
the cost of attending college?”
It costs a lot of money to go to college.
Focused Topic Ideas: Resources available to help
students afford college; The trend of rising
tuition costs in higher learning; Making college
more affordable to students.
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Make sure that you think about a topic before
presenting it to your instructor.
Conduct the research so that you can answer
any questions that your instructor may have
when it comes to focus, audience and intent.
Be ready to revise your topic
Once you, and your instructor, are satisfied
with the topic make sure to STICK WITH IT!!
What do you do if you are having trouble
coming up with a topic?
Talk to an instructor, friend, classmate, or
family member to brainstorm ideas and write
them down.
Read a newspaper, magazine, or online blog to
introduce yourself to current events, ideas, or
public concerns.
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