Choosing a Topic

9510009A Lin9510071A Troy9510097A Hamon

1. Pick a Topic You Like2. Go to the Library and Browse

Online Public-Access Catalog( OPAC)

3. Electronic Storage Sources, CD-ROMs4. Search on the Internet5. Encyclopedia6. Take time Searching for a topic7. General Interests

2b-1 Topics that are Too BIG

References Sources -> FilesBibliography -> WeedsOpinions, Data and Information -> Come Pouring

Narrow the Topic

Lots of Books about your topic in the library Too Big

Too Big

2b-2 Topics based on a Single Source

Different AuthoritiesVariety of Books, ArticlesOther References

The data which come from Single Source Defeating the Purpose of the paper

Research Paper( Topics Broad Enough)

Multiple Sources

Ex: The life of a person( Single Source)( Famous People) Compelling Biography Overquote

V.S.

( Marginal People) Single Biography Wasting Time

A person Approach( A Variety of Sources)Ex: James Monroe Monroe Doctrine( Multiple Sources)

2b-3 Topics that are Too TechnicalTechnical Jargon Snow Job( Depends on the Class)

Teach > Learned( General Topic)Ex: “Heisenberg’s Principle of Indeterminacy as It Applies to

Subparticle Research” Physics English

2b-4 Topics that are Trivial Ex: The History of the Tennis Ball

Safest Way Ask your Instructor

Good Topic Be made Trivial by its Treatment Ex: “ Fictional Detective on Foreign Postage Stamps”

( Insignificant Topic)

Trivial Obvious Ex: Walking is good aerobic exercise( So Tame)

2b-5 Topics that are Overused Subject of Heated Debate Temperate Tone

Overused

Importance in the Public Consciousness

Overused Topic( Parrot New Angle) Ex: Abortion Effects of the RU-486

2b-6 Topics that are Contemporary

Avoided Reasons

Contemporary Topic( Hotly Debated at the Moment)

1. Unbiased Sources2. Newspapers and Magazines( Unbelievable)

Variety Sources( Books, Periodicals Reference Volumes, Specialized Indexes, and variety of Electronic Sources)

Solid Papers

Including Topics that has weathered both Time and Scholarly Commentary

Search Tip Sources (Initial Search) > Narrow your Topic

Sources Rare Change the Topic

1. Search for Sources that helps you Narrow the topic.

2. Is your topic Arguable?

3. Make Trials and Error until you have a Suitable Topic you like.

4. Make sure the topic is Approved by your Instructor.

General Subject First Narrow Second NarrowMythology Beowulf The oral tradition in

Beowulf

Migrant Workers California migrant workers

Major California

Labor laws and their impact on Mexican migrant workers

John F. Kennedy John F. Kennedy’s cabinet

The contribution of Averell Harriman as U.S ambassador to

Russia

Russia The Bolshevik Revolution of 1917

The role of Leon Trotsky in

revolutionary Russia

China Chinese agriculture The effect on China of its agricultural policies

during the past 10 years

Indians Famous Indian fighters Major Roger’s Rangers during the Indian wars

Nature’s carnivores Parasites The ichneumon wasp and its parasitic hosts

Educational psychology

Psychological testing in schools

The Thematic Apperception Test

(TAT) and its present-day adaptations