How To Choose The Topic For Your Essay

The Topic is Assigned

Often students are given a set topic - or a choice from a number of topics - by their instructor or professor. While this removes some of the initial uncertainty, the student is still confronted with the need to choose a topic. A handy rule of thumb: Choose the broadest, most general, topic. If you pick a narrow topic at this point you might find yourself stuck when doing research should materials not be available at the library. For example: choose a topic like "The Causes of World War II" instead of "The Role of Adolf Hitler's Mental Illness in Shaping German Foreign Policy."

The Topic is not Assigned

When the topic must be determined by the students, the same Rule of Thumb applies as with Assigned Topics: choose a broad, general topic. Remember, the topic is not your thesis, which must be more narrow and focused. The topic simply provides you with a general guideline for the research stage. Pick a topic that you would be most comfortable in writing about, and with this in mind begin your research.

« Go Back To Resources Page