Writing@CSU

Writing Guides

Choosing and Narrowing Topics

Introduction

Definition

Arriving at Topics

Purpose, Audience, and Choice of Topics

Choosing Workable Topics

How to Find a Topic

Subjects and Topics

Starting With What You Know

General Strategies

Strategies for Specific Assignments

Personal Essays

Response Essays

Argumentative Essays

Research-based Essays

Evaluative Essays

Problem-Solution Essays

Generating Multiple Topics

Perspective: Choosing a Topic on the Basis of What You Know

Perspective: The Making of a Topic

Narrowing Topics

Deciding When a Topic is Too Broad

Perspective: Broad Topics

Deciding When a Topic is Too Narrow

Perspective: Considering Your Audience When Narrowing Topics

General Strategies

Looping

Questioning

Topic Cross

Research Considerations

How Research Narrows Topics

Testing Research Topics

Research Topics and Writing Assignments

Flexibility in Research

Moving from Topic to Thesis

Developing a Working Thesis

Arriving at a Possible Thesis for a Research-based Essay

Arriving at a Possible Thesis for an Argumentative Essay

Perspectives on Working With Topics

Working With Topics in Different Disciplines

Additional Resources

Related Resources View Related Resources
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Related Resources

The following resources--guides, activities, and tools--are related to Working with Topics, and should help you to further understand this concept, topic, or idea.

Resources Related to
Working with Topics

Exploring Interests
Exploring Your Topic
Defining a Problem
Analyzing a Problem
Alternative Solutions
Analyzing an Issue
Issue Analysis Worksheet
Ideas Tool
Outline Tool
Draft Tool
Blog Tool
Narrowing from Topic to Thesis for an Argumentative Essay

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