Choose the Topic

If the topic is not prescribed or you can choose between several topics, try to choose a topic that interests you. If your topic genuinely interests you, chances are you'll enjoy spending time working on it.

Finding a topic can be difficult. Give yourself enough time to do some background reading. Trying to answer questions you have about a subject may lead you to a good paper idea.

• What subject(s) are you interested in?
• What interests you most about a subject?
• Is there anything you wonder about or are puzzled about that subject?

Once you have a topic, you will probably need to narrow it down to something more manageable.

One method for coming up with a more specific focus is called brainstorming (or freewriting). Brainstorming is a useful way to let ideas you didn't know you had come to the surface.

Sit down with a pencil and paper, or at your computer, and write whatever comes into your head about your topic.

Keep writing for a short but specific amount of time, say 3–5 minutes. Don't stop to change what you've written or to correct spelling or grammar errors.

After a few minutes, read through what you've written. You will probably throw out most of it, but some of what you've written may give you an idea that can be developed.

Do some more brainstorming and see what else you can come up with.