Factors to consider when selecting a topic:
The topic should be of interest to you
The topic should be appropriate for the assignment
The topic should be focused so it can be adequately covered in the assignment.
The topic should be supported by credible evidence.
Where do ideas for topics come from?
Course readings
Talking to your instructor
Browsing through books, periodicals, and databases
The outside world--friends, the media, nature, etc.
Once you have a general idea of your topic, how do you modify it so it fits your assignment?
Know your assignment. If you have questions, talk to your instructor
Focus it so it can be covered adequately
Effective ways to focus your topic
Event: concentrate on an event within the context of your topic
Time: concentrate on a particular time period
Person or group: concentrate on an individual or group identified with the topic or particularly affected by it.
Place: concentrate on a region, city or other geographical unit.
Suppose you are interested in writing on the tallgrass prairie. Your search retrieves 168 articles.
The same factors used to focus a topic are also useful in broadening one that is too narrow. Simply expand the timeframe, the region, the group, or the event. Remember that your topic will inevitably undergo changes as your research/writing process continues. Reference librarians are available to work with you to refine your research topic and help you locate resources.
