Topic Development
- 2. Choosing a Topic Sometimes you may have to think of a writing topic. It is important to put time and effort into picking the perfect topic, as this will help lead to an interesting & organized essay.
- 3. Strategies for Choosing a Topic Pay attention to the media- issues, events, controversies, & concerns that are being discussed. Almost anything being covered in “quality” newspapers, journals, & websites.
- 4. Strategies for Choosing a Topic Consider what is being taught in other classes- What are interesting topics your history or science teachers discuss? What is a subject you have considerable knowledge about?
- 5. Strategies for Choosing a Topic Listen to people around you- what are some interesting topics people discuss around you? Perhaps someone’s complaints or interests could lead to an interesting essay.
- 6. Strategies for Choosing a Topic Freewrite - sometimes the process of writing everything that comes to mind can be useful. After writing for about 10 minutes, you can go back and analyze material- what could work and what is junk?
- 7. Strategies for Choosing a Topic Fill in the Blanks- filling in the blanks can help generate a great topic. Although many people say _____, I think ____. Doing _____ could help many people. Many people do not understand the meaning of __. The main cause/effect of ___ is ____. The best way to ____ is to ______.
- 8. Narrowing a Broad Topic It is important to have a topic that is narrow enough to effectively write about for a college paper. Peer pressure > Causes/Effects of peer pressure > Effects of peer pressure on middle school students > Effects of peer pressure on middle school boys > How middle school peer pressure creates boy bullies
- 9. Narrowing a Broad Topic Make Lists- write a broad topic down. Underneath it, list all the more narrow topic that fall into that category. You may find that sub-topics from the first list could even generate their own list!
- 10. Narrowing a Broad Topic Make “mind” maps- First write down a broad topic. Next, write anything you associate with this topic around it. Once you have everything mapped out, it is easier to see what can generate just enough writing material.