Choose a Topic

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Finding a topic in 4 steps

1. Brainstorm possible topic ideas. Consider your personal interests.
   • Talk to family, friends, and classmates.
   • Look at the headlines on Google News or Yahoo!
   • Scan the list of topics on Opposing Viewpoints homepage or in CQ Researcher under Browse by Topic or Browse by Date.
   • Look at the list of topics from Contra Costa Community College


2. Review assignment requirements
   What kind of assignment is it - a 5 minute oral presentation, 10 page paper, 50 page paper? What formats do you need - visual, audio, printed, electronic? Is point of view an issue? Do you need opinions? How much time do you have?



3. List keywords to define your topic
   State your research topic as a question. Think about the terms that describe your topic. These terms will become the key for searching for information about your subject in library catalogs, online databases, and other resources.
   
   

   What keyword would you use to describe what you see in this image? SODA? POP? CARBONATED BEVERAGES? SOFT DRINKS?

   
   If you only searched using SODA you would miss the information and articles that used one of the other terms or phrases. So, remember to use alternative terms, or synonyms, when you are doing research so that you don't miss the best articles!
   
   When you brainstorm for alternative terms, you are creating a CONCEPT MAP for keywords. For more on this topic, check out this YouTube video on Developing Your Topic with a Concept Map.



4. Gather background information on your topic
   It's hard to get started if you don't know much about your topic. Do some general reading in an encyclopedia to get an overview of the topic. World Book and Encarta are standards, but About.com and Wikipedia can be useful. Remember to avoid Wikipedia articles that have "warning" statements posted.
   
   Doing background reading is also a great first step towards refining your topic.

Refining your topic

Is Your Topic Too Broad? Too Narrow? Why does it matter if your topic is too broad or too narrow? Simply speaking, if a topic is too broad you will drown in information. Examples of broad topics are: "teenage pregnancy," "the economic bailout," "the war in Iraq."

A topic that's too narrow means you’ll drive yourself crazy trying to find useful information.

Examples of research topics that are too narrow: "what's the long-term impact of driving a Prius?" "what motivated immigrants to move to Waukegan?" "why does the goverment suppress information about UFOs?"

Duke University Library has created a brief guide to help students with refining a their research topics. You can link to the guide here: Refine a Topic.

Need more help?

• Try the CLC Writing Center
  http://www.clcillinois.edu/depts/lac/writingcenter.asp
  Every writer needs a reader! So come to the Writing Center for feedback at any point in your writing process. For example, visit them when you're developing a focus, organizing ideas, expanding ideas, revising for grammar and punctuation, or citing sources. Or just take advantage of their online resources.



• Online Writing Center - Purdue OWL
  http://owl.english.purdue.edu/
  This site has wonderful resources for writers including:
  • Writing and Teaching Writing
  • Research
  • Grammar and Mechanics
  • Style Guides (MLA, APA)
  • ESL (English as a Second Language)
  • Job Search and Professional Writing

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