Choosing and Narrowing a Topic to Write About

Steps 1, 2, and 3: Choosing a Topic

Well, you've been researching for a while now, and you are now ready to
settle down on a specific topic. You can do this easily by moving through the
following steps. (For the purposes of this learning packet, let say that you are
writing on the subject of decomposition.)

Choosing a Specific Topic in Three Steps

1. Choose any topic or topics in the universe. - "e.g., something about organic
matter"
2. Be a little more specific about your topic. - "e.g., compost and soil"
3. Be a lot more specific about your topic - "e.g., soil nutrients released by organic
matter decomposition"
4. Repeat these three steps three or more times to give yourself a few
examples of topics to choose from. When you have a few examples, choose the
topic that you feel meets your course requirements, the needs of your intended (or
imagined) audience, and/or has the most relevant source material to support it. .

Once you feel terrifically solid about the topic you have chosen, you are
ready to Narrow Down Your Topic. Always remember that you can go back to
research at any time of your writing process.
SOURCE: NEIL CUNNINGHAM

Steps 3, 4, and 5: Narrowing Down Your Topic

During the first three steps, you chose a topic. For some, this topic may
seem like it's ready to be written about, but the level of precision required in
the context of academic writing requires writer-researcher to go through a
few additional steps.
In other words, many articles have already been written that describe
various aspects of organic matter decomposition, so we must narrow down
our chosen topic so that we can focus our research efforts on a more precise
question or thesis statement.
Narrowing a Topic in Three Steps, Starting from a Topic that Was Selected
Using the Three-Step Choosing a Topic Process.

1) Make one or two more words more specific.

In this case, we replaced the words "soil nutrients" with nitrogen and replaced
"organic matter" with food waste to make the topic we wish to write about as
precise and as specific as possible.
 Example: "soil nutrients nitrogen released by organic matter the
decomposition of food waste"
2) OK, we've added a few words to make the topic more specific. Now turn the
topic into a complete sentence that actually makes a statement.
 Example: The forms of nitrogen released by the decomposition of food
waste is poorly understood.
3) Make the sentence as precise and arguable as possible.
If you compare the following example with the previous step, you might notice
how the context of decomposition moves from just a generalized process of
decomposition to a particular process that involves household waste. In addition,
this example makes a firm statement that can be argued and supported.
 Example: The amount and value of plant-available nitrogen released
by decomposition of household food waste is not well understood
because most home composters do not have the tools to measure soil
nutrients.
SOURCE: NEIL CUNNINGHAM

Overview
In summary, the steps outlined in this learning packet encourage academic
writers who want to increase the precision of the topics they write about to
go through a process.
This learning packet has broken down the process of selecting a topic into
two large steps - choosing a topic and narrowing it down.
To choose a general topic, follow the following steps:
     1) Choose a topic area. Example: beer
     2) Take you topic area and describe it more specifically. Example: beer
and microorganisms
     3) Name a specific aspect of the specific topic. Example: the quality of
beer and the quality of microorganisms needed    to brew it properly
To narrow down the focus of your topic, follow the following three steps:
     4) Write down additional specific about your topic. Example: brewing
quality tasting beer and the health of the colonies of yeast used to brew
small batches of beer properly.
     5) Turn your topic into a sentence that is a statement. Example: The
quality of small batches of beer is affected by the overall health of the yeast
used during fermentation.
     6) Now add "fine" focus to your statement by making a statement that
can (although it does not necessarily need to) refer back to your
research.Example: A survey of microbrewers suggests that beer taste is
equally affected by the health of yeast used during fermentation as it is by
the quality of the grains used.  

Selecting a Topic
The ability to develop a good research topic is an important skill. An instructor
may assign you a specific topic, but most often instructors require you to select
your own topic of interest. When deciding on a topic, there are a few things that
you will need to do:

 brainstorm for ideas

 choose a topic that will enable you to read and understand the literature
 ensure that the topic is manageable and that material is available
 make a list of key words
 be flexible
 define your topic as a focused research question
 research and read more about your topic
 formulate a thesis statement

Be aware that selecting a good topic may not be easy. It must be narrow
and focused enough to be interesting, yet broad enough to find adequate
information. Before selecting your topic, make sure you know what your
final project should look like. Each class or instructor will likely require a
different format or style of research project.

Use the steps below to guide you through the process of selecting a
research topic.
Step 1: Brainstorm for ideas
Choose a topic that interests you. Use the following questions to help
generate topic ideas.

 Do you have a strong opinion on a current social or political controversy

 Did you read or see a news story recently that has piqued your interest or
made you angry or anxious?
 Do you have a personal issue, problem or interest that you would like to
know more about?
 Do you have a research paper due for a class this semester?
 Is there an aspect of a class that you are interested in learning more about?

Look at some of the following topically oriented Web sites and research
sites for ideas.

 Are you interested in current events, government, politics or the social

sciences?
 Try Washington File
 Are you interested in health or medicine?
 Look in Healthfinder.gov, Health & Wellness Resource Center or
the National Library of Medicine
 Are you interested in the Humanities; art, literature, music?
 Browse links from the National Endowment for the Humanities
 For other subject areas try:
 the Scout Report or the New York Times/ College Web site

Write down any key words or concepts that may be of interest to you.
Could these terms help be used to form a more focused research topic?
 Be aware of overused ideas when deciding a topic. You may wish to avoid
topics such as, abortion, gun control, teen pregnancy, or suicide unless you
feel you have a unique approach to the topic. Ask the instructor for ideas if
you feel you are stuck or need additional guidance.

Step 2: Read General

Background Information
 Read a general encyclopedia article on the top two or three topics you are
considering. Reading a broad summary enables you to get an overview of
the topic and see how your idea relates to broader, narrower, and related
issues. It also provides a great source for finding words commonly used to
describe the topic. These keywords may be very useful to your later
research. If you cant find an article on your topic, try using broader terms
and ask for help from a librarian.

For example, the Encyclopedia Britannica Online (or the printed version of

this encyclopedia, in Thompson Library's Reference Collection on
Reference Table 1) may not have an article on Social and Political
Implications of Jackie Robinsons Breaking of the Color Barrier in Major
League Baseball but there will be articles on baseball history and on Jackie
Robinson.

Browse the Encyclopedia Americana for information on your topic ideas.

Notice that both online encyclopedias provide links to magazine articles
and Web sites. These are listed in the left or the right margins.

 Use periodical indexes to scan current magazine, journal or newspaper

articles on your topic. Ask a librarian if they can help you to browse articles
on your topics of interest.
  Use Web search engines. Google and Bing are currently considered to be
two of the best search engines to find web sites on the topic.

Step 3: Focus on Your Topic

Keep it manageable

A topic will be very difficult to research if it is too broad or narrow. One way to
narrow a broad topic such as "the environment" is to limit your topic. Some
common ways to limit a topic are:

 by geographical area

Example: What environmental issues are most important in the

Southwestern United States

 by culture

Example: How does the environment fit into the Navajo world view?

 by time frame:

Example: What are the most prominent environmental issues of the last 10
years?

 by discipline

Example: How does environmental awareness effect business practices

today?

 by population group

Example: What are the effects of air pollution on senior citizens?

Remember that a topic may be too difficult to research if it is too:

 
  locally confined - Topics this specific may only be covered in these (local)
newspapers, if at all.

Example: What sources of pollution affect the Genesee County water

supply?

 recent - If a topic is quite recent, books or journal articles may not be

available, but newspaper or magazine articles may. Also, Web sites related
to the topic may or may not be available.
 broadly interdisciplinary - You could be overwhelmed with superficial
information.

Example: How can the environment contribute to the culture, politics and
society of the Western states?

 popular - You will only find very popular articles about some topics such as
sports figures and high-profile celebrities and musicians.

If you have any difficulties or questions with focusing your topic,discuss the topic with
your instructor, or with a librarian

Step 4: Make a List of Useful

Keywords
Keep track of the words that are used to describe your topic.

 Look for words that best describe your topic

 Look for them in when reading encyclopedia articles and background and
general information
 Find broader and narrower terms, synonyms, key concepts for key words to
widen your search capabilities
  Make note of these words and use them later when searching databases
and catalogs

Step 5: Be Flexible
It is common to modify your topic during the research process. You can never be
sure of what you may find. You may find too much and need to narrow your
focus, or too little and need to broaden your focus. This is a normal part of the
research process. When researching, you may not wish to change your topic, but
you may decide that some other aspect of the topic is more interesting or
manageable. 

Keep in mind the assigned length of the research paper, project, bibliography or
other research assignment. Be aware of the depth of coverage needed and the due
date. These important factors may help you decide how much and when you will
modify your topic. You instructor will probably provide specific requirements, if
not the table below may provide a rough guide

ssigned Length of Research Suggested guidelines for approximate number and

Paper or Project types of sources needed

1-2 page paper 2-3 magazine articles or Web sites

3-5 page paper 4-8 items, including book, articles (scholarly and/or popular
and Web sites

Annotated Bibliography 6-15 items including books, scholarly articles, Web sites and
other items

10-15 page research paper 12-20 items, including books, scholarly articles, web sites and
other items
Step 6: Define Your Topic as a
Focused Research Question
You will often begin with a word, develop a more focused interest in an aspect of
something relating to that word, then begin to have questions about the topic. 

For example:

Ideas = Frank Lloyd Wright or modern architecture

Research Question = How has Frank Lloyd Wright influenced modern
architecture?
Focused Research Question = What design principles used by Frank Lloyd
Wright are common in contemporary homes?

Step 7: Research and Read

More About Your Topic
Use the key words you have gathered to research in the catalog, article databases,
and Internet search engines. Find more information to help you answer your
research question.
You will need to do some research and reading before you select your final topic.
Can you find enough information to answer your research question? Remember,
selecting a topic is an important and complex part of the research process.

Step 8: Formulate a Thesis

Statement
Write your topic as a thesis statement. This may be the answer to your research
question and/or a way to clearly state the purpose of your research. Your thesis
statement will usually be one or two sentences that states precisely what is to be
answered, proven, or what you will inform your audience about your topic.
The development of a thesis assumes there is sufficient evidence to support the
thesis statement.

For example, a thesis statement could be: Frank Lloyd Wright's design principles,
including his use of ornamental detail and his sense of space and texture opened
a new era of American architecture. His work has influenced contemporary
residential design. 

The title of your paper may not be exactly the same as your research question or
your thesis statement, but the title should clearly convey the focus, purpose and
meaning of your research.

For example, a title could be: Frank Lloyd Wright: Key Principles of Design For
the Modern Home

Remember to follow any specific instructions from your instructor.

Practical Exercises to Extend

Your Learning
Identify three narrower aspects of the following broad topics. In other words,
what are three areas you could investigate that fit into these very broad topics?

Sports
Pollution
Politics
 

Identify a broader topic that would cover the following narrow topics. In other
words, how could you expand these topics to find more information?
Menus in Michigan prisons
Urban planning in Flint
 

Imagine that you have been assigned the following topics. Think of 5 keywords
you might use to look for information on each.

How does air quality affect our health?

What are the barriers to peace in the Middle East?
Should snowmobiling be allowed in wilderness areas?
How can welfare reform help poor children?

Choosing a Topic
Read How
Trying to decide what to write can be difficult and frustrating. Your professor will
usually provide a general topic that reflects the course material; but you will be required
to focus on some aspect of that topic. It is up to you to decide the angle to take. Before
continuing, please read the following general concepts about choosing research topics.

 Getting ideas for your topic.

o Course material: Go back over lecture notes or textbook chapters to find a topic.
o Brainstorming: Take the general topic and create a concept map for it.  From there you
may find some aspect of the topic you would like to explore.
o News: Yahoo News, CNN.com, local broadcast news all cover recent events and may
pique your interest for further exploration of the story.
 o Internet: There are many reliable educational and current event resources available on
the Web that are excellent sources of ideas for selecting research topics. Keep in mind that
because of the open nature of the Web, many resources vary in quality.
 Choose an interesting topic.
There is more motivation to do a research assignment if there is genuine interest in the topic. If the
research assignment is unrestricted, relate the topic to some personal experience or issue of personal
relevance. If you have no personal interest in the assigned topic, pick an aspect of the topic you are
curious to know more about.

 Narrow your topic.

Depending upon the subject and required length of a research assignment, be careful not to choose a
topic that is too broad in scope. Focus on a particular event, time, person or group, and/or place.
"The Media's Influence on Body Image " 

Media comes in various forms such as television, advertisements, movies, and commercials. This topic
would be too general and broad to research and cover in a short paper of 5-10 pages. Instead, it would be
necessary to narrow the focus of the topic to some smaller aspect of media influence.

"The Impact of Current Fashion Magazine Advertisements on Female Adolescents' Body Identity"
 The topic has been narrowed and is more manageable because it focuses on a particular type of
media (magazine advertisements), time (current rather than historic), person or group(adolescent
female), and place (focus on U.S.). 

 Broaden your topic.

If you are required to write a long paper (20 or more pages), there should be enough information
available about the topic for the paper to be comprehensive and complete. If an obscure person, event,
or subject is chosen as the basis for a research topic, it may be difficult finding relevant and accessible
material to do effective research.
"The Impact of Keira Knightley and Mila Kunis on the Body Image of Young Women" 

Yes, Keira Knightley and Mila Kunis are very famous actresses, and many magazine articles have been
written about their weight and the message it sends to young girls; but you are unlikely to find scholarly
information available solely on their impact on the issue of body-image. You will need to broaden the
focus of to include what they represent in order to write an effective paper.

"The Impact of Movie Industry Beauty Standards on the Body Image of Young Women" 

Altering the focus of the subject matter from one person or issue to some larger aspect of the person or
issue (the movie industry), expands the scope of the topic so that more relevant and scholarly
information can be found.