{"id":392,"date":"2016-03-31T17:55:00","date_gmt":"2016-03-31T17:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/waymaker-level1-english\/?post_type=chapter&p=392"},"modified":"2017-01-05T18:15:15","modified_gmt":"2017-01-05T18:15:15","slug":"outcome-topic-selection","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-mcc-college-composition\/chapter\/outcome-topic-selection\/","title":{"raw":"Selecting a Topic","rendered":"Selecting a Topic"},"content":{"raw":"

Introduction<\/h2>\r\n
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Learning Objectives<\/h3>\r\n
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  • identify strategies for personalizing an assigned topic<\/li>\r\n \t
  • identify strategies for finding a focus for an unassigned topic<\/li>\r\n \t
  • identify strategies for moving from general to specific<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\"GraphicSome instructors who assign writing projects will leave the choice of what to write about up to you. Others will have a very defined set of topics for you to write from. But even\u00a0when an instructor assigns a given topic or offers a choice of assigned topics, you have a lot of opportunity for creativity.\r\n\r\nThe real issue here is approach<\/strong>. When you come to an assigned essay as a project, how you first engage with it will determine your overall experience. \u00a0Some students see any writing assignment as an externally imposed task -- something they\u00a0have to do in order to pass the course. This approach will guarantee that those students will eventually hate their\u00a0assignments, possibly their\u00a0instructor, and when push comes to shove the whole project of being in school.\r\n

    Solution: Choosing an Approach to Your Topic<\/h3>\r\nDeliberately choosing how you approach your topic will help you not only choose one that will satisfy the requirements, but also ensure that you enjoy the process of research and writing. After all, no one on earth can do what you do. So, only you can figure out how to write a great essay in your own voice.\r\n\r\nIt all starts with selecting a topic. How you approach that selection process is vastly important.\r\n\r\nThe key is to identify what made you take the class in the first place. Something about this class captured your fancy and made you register\u00a0(particularly in the case of an elective), so place that interest at the heart of your topic.\r\n\r\nLook to what you were interested in as a way of finding your paper topic! Use that initial fascination to twist the topic of your paper so that it becomes an excuse to wallow in whatever got you interested in that class in the first place.\r\n

    Avoiding the Pit of Despair<\/h3>\r\nWhatever you do, don't fall into\u00a0the trap of thinking that your work is simply a required box that needs to be checked and you can't bring any creativity to the table. Even if the class was required for your program or degree, you still chose that program.\u00a0There are ways to make almost any writing task enjoyable, or at least something you gain something interesting out of.\r\n\r\n
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    How to Come Up With a Topic to Write About<\/h2>\r\n

    Many people are intimidated by the thought of writing. One of the biggest factors that can contribute to writers\u2019 block is not knowing what to write about. If you can find a topic that interests you, your writing will likely flow more readily and you will be more likely to write a successful piece. Use a variety of strategies for coming up with something to write about to find what works best for your writing and learning style.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    \"Colorful<\/p>\r\n\r\n

    Understand the Essay Assignment<\/h3>\r\nUnderstanding the assigned essay is the first step to coming up with a topic. Knowing the type of essay that is expected, the length of the essay, and to what degree research is expected will all determine the scope of the topic you will choose.\r\n

    Evaluate the Purpose of the Assignment<\/h3>\r\n

    The purpose of the assignment will also determine the type of topic.\u00a0A persuasive essay, for example, will have a much different type of topic than a personal experience essay.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n

      \r\n \t
    • Look for key action words like compare<\/em>, analyze<\/em>, describe<\/em>, synthesize<\/em>, and contrast<\/em>. These words will help you determine what your teacher wants you to do in the essay.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

      Select a Topic from a Provided List<\/h3>\r\n

      If your instructor has provided a list of topics for you, choose a topic from the given list. It is likely that the topics have been gathered together because they are an appropriate scope and breadth and the instructor has found that the topics have led to successful essays in the past<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n

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      • Choose the topic for which a main idea comes most naturally and for which you feel you can develop the paper easily.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

        Brainstorm a List of Ideas<\/h3>\r\n

        Write down a list of ideas that come to mind. They don\u2019t have to be good ideas, but it\u2019s good to just start writing a list to get your ideas flowing. Just write down everything you can think of; you can evaluate the ideas later.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

        This video demonstrates that writers of all levels and experiences value the process of brainstorming. \u00a0Watch brainstorming in action for a television sitcom.<\/p>\r\n