Choosing a Topic A Lin A Troy A Hamon

1. Pick a Topic You Like 2. Go to the Library and Browse  Online Public-Access Catalog( OPAC) 3. Electronic Storage Sources, CD-ROMs 4. Search on the Internet 5. Encyclopedia 6. Take time Searching for a topic 7. General Interests

 2b-1 Topics that are Too BIG References Sources -> Files Bibliography -> Weeds Opinions, Data and Information -> Come Pouring Narrow the Topic  Lots of Books about your topic in the library Too Big

 2b-2 Topics based on a Single Source Different Authorities Variety of Books, Articles Other 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)

22b-3 Topics that are Too Technical  Technical Jargon Snow Job( Depends on the Class)  Teach > Learned( General Topic)  Special knowledge of Particular Subject Broad Enough to be Understood ( Any Educated Reader) 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 Sources 2. 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 SubjectFirst NarrowSecond Narrow MythologyBeowulfThe oral tradition in Beowulf Migrant WorkersCalifornia migrant workers Major California Labor laws and their impact on Mexican migrant workers John F. KennedyJohn F. Kennedy’s cabinet The contribution of Averell Harriman as U.S ambassador to Russia RussiaThe Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 The role of Leon Trotsky in revolutionary Russia

ChinaChinese agricultureThe effect on China of its agricultural policies during the past 10 years IndiansFamous Indian fightersMajor Roger’s Rangers during the Indian wars Nature’s carnivoresParasitesThe ichneumon wasp and its parasitic hosts Educational psychologyPsychological testing in schools The Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) and its present-day adaptations