Overview
The topic you choose can make or break your research
paper. If it's
- too broad, you won't be able to finish your research
before the quarter ends
- too narrow, you won't find enough material for
a 6-8 page paper
- too boring, you won't want to work on it
- too close to your heart, you'll have a hard time being objective
You may have to explore several topics before you find
one that fits your interests and the criteria of the assignment.
The Hints below will help you identify possible
topics.
Topics to avoid
Some topics should be avoided. For example, "How
aggressively should doctors treat prostate cancer?" is a good research
question. However, if the topic is painful because the disease affects
someone you know, you should choose another subject.
Other topics,
like abortion, are extremely difficult
to narrow and to argue objectively. Your instructors may
ask you to avoid certain topics because they are tired of reading
about them. The authors of The Practical Writer have this advice:
You'll do yourself and your readers a real favor
if you stay away from some kinds of topics. Avoid
writing about contemporary politics or religion—such
topics are often too personal to write a research
paper about. (Bailey & Powell, 2003, p. 203)
Another reason to avoid topics that have been "done
to death" is that your teacher has probably read dozens of
papers on euthanasia and capital punishment; what will make
your paper stand out? In addition, you will have to do in-depth
research to add to what your readers already know.
Example: If your
research is superficial, you won't be able to answer
challenges to your argument. For example, if you
argue that "Gay marriage doesn't hurt anyone," a knowledgeable
reader might ask, "What
about the Scandinavian
study that found that allowing
gay marriage reduced the marriage rate among heterosexuals?"
Muttering "Uh, what Scandinavian study?" doesn't
do much for your credibility. It's much more effective
to explain why you believe the study is flawed or
to concede the point: "You're right; that is a point
to consider. However, I believe it's more important
to...."
Topics like euthanasia or capital punishment are also too broad to
cover in a 6–8 page
paper. However, as you consider what you might write about,
a general idea is all you need. You can
narrow your topic as you learn what resources
are available and what questions you have.
Example: As
you read about familiar topics,
you can
These research questions are examples of good starting
points for a researched argument paper:
Hints for Finding a Topic
So how
do you find a topic? You may already have a subject you want to explore.
Perhaps you've always been interested in Down syndrome, so you read
everything you can find about it. Just check with your instructor to
see if that topic could work for your presentation and argumentative
paper.
Perhaps
you've been assigned a topic you don't know much about in
another class. If—and only if—you have the other instructor's
permission, you may read and write about that topic in Comp
II.
Once you have a subject that interests you, try to find
a question to explore or a problem to solve. Remember that your ideas
about your topic may change. However, starting with a research question
will help you narrow your search and choose the most relevant sources.
Where to find topic ideas
If you
don't have a clue, you can browse until you find something that catches
your interest. Here are some places to look:
Making the choice: Familiar or unfamiliar topic?
Should you pick a topic you know well or a topic you know little about?
The chart below will help you weight the advantages and disadvantages.
Familiar
Topic |
New Topic |
Pros |
Cons |
Pros |
Cons |
Quick; no need to do background research |
Can be difficult to distinguish between
common knowledge and what needs to be documented |
Chance to learn something new, different |
Harder to predict difficulties you
might run into, such as not finding enough material |
Predictable; shouldn’t hit too
many snags in research |
Same old, same old |
More challenging; less boring |
Requires more time and mental effort |
Still
have questions? See the Internet Resources below
and
Hints for Finding Sources.
Internet
Resources
 How
to Find a Research Topic (UCSC)
Finding
a Topic (tutorial from Webster U. library)
Finding
a Topic (includes links to successful
topics and a research log entry on picking a topic)
Module
2: Choosing a Topic (help with keywords from Lesley
Libraries)
Choosing
and Focusing a Topic (tutorial from Virginia Tech)
What
Can I Write About? (suggestions from STCC Library)
The
Question Is the
Answer (McKenzie)
Steps
Along the Research Path (Lesley Libraries)
Writing
Tip # 19: Writing and Planning a Research Paper (University of
Colorado at Boulder; discusses how your topic changes as you find
more information)
Framing
Your Research Question (OhioLINK)
Planning
and Writing a Research Paper (tutorial from the University of Wisconsin-Madison)
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