Choosing a Term Paper Topic

will probably be limited by the nature/scope of the course. Don't try to squeeze in an irrelevant topic just because you like it or because you think it will be easy to do. Ask your instructor before you start to ensure the topic is suitable

Get topic ideas by thumbing through the course textbook and handouts. Look at chapter headings and diagrams. Look at the bibliography, if there is one. Have any questions been left unanswered in readings or class discussion? These make great opportunities for research. Would any two of the course's topics stand up for interesting and meaningful comparison? Do you have strong opinions about any of the issues discussed in the course?

Discuss the assignment with classmates. Others may have ideas that you can modify to suit your interest or style. For example, if a classmate chooses to describe a certain period of history, then you could describe an earlier or later one. Or, you could take an opposite stance on a controversial opinion.

Do a little supplementary reading. Perhaps there's a connected issue that the instructor hasn't mentioned in class. Take a look at a related video or web site, or talk to a person involved in the field. You may get some fresh ideas this way, and may even begin to gather information, too.

In the next column, we will discuss how to narrow your topic so that it's workable: not too wide and not too specific.

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