Chapter 2 Choosing and narrowing a topic Possibilities

Chapter 2 Choosing and narrowing a topic

Possibilities 1. A wide range subject of which you need to choose a topic. Example: Romantic literature

2. Assigning a specific topic in a form of question. Example: Express the main themes in the Lord of the Flies.

3. Negotiating a topic with the instructor. You may be interested in writing Macbeth, or a paper on the evaluation and testing of teaching short stories.

How do you choose a topic?

Why is choosing a topic important to you as a researcher?

Guidelines for choosing a topic

Interest • Relevance of your topic to your future course can promote your motivation and creativity.

Availability of sources • Books, references, periodicals, etc. journals, internet,

Paper length 15 - 20 pages

Specifying a topic • Do not choose a very broad topic because the time frame is limited. • Do not choose a very specific topic because resources may not be available.

Target audience

Strategies for developing a topic

Reading • Checking the content pages of books to verify the availability of sources.

Questions What topic do I want to write about? Why do I want to write about this topic? Who is my favorite writer, etc. ? What aspects do I like about the writer? What evidence do I have to support my views?

Next class • Free writing and brain storming