Topic Development

Topic Development

• 1.
  Topic Development p.31-58
• 2.
  Choosing a TopicSometimes you may have to think of a writing topic. It is important to put time and effort into picking the perfect topic, as this will help lead to an interesting & organized essay.
• 3.
  Strategies for Choosinga Topic Pay attention to the media- issues, events, controversies, & concerns that are being discussed. Almost anything being covered in “quality” newspapers, journals, & websites.
• 4.
  Strategies for Choosinga Topic Consider what is being taught in other classes- What are interesting topics your history or science teachers discuss? What is a subject you have considerable knowledge about?
• 5.
  Strategies for Choosinga Topic Listen to people around you- what are some interesting topics people discuss around you? Perhaps someone’s complaints or interests could lead to an interesting essay.
• 6.
  Strategies for Choosinga Topic Freewrite - sometimes the process of writing everything that comes to mind can be useful. After writing for about 10 minutes, you can go back and analyze material- what could work and what is junk?
• 7.
  Strategies for Choosinga Topic Fill in the Blanks- filling in the blanks can help generate a great topic. Although many people say _____, I think ____. Doing _____ could help many people. Many people do not understand the meaning of __. The main cause/effect of ___ is ____. The best way to ____ is to ______.
• 8.
  Narrowing a BroadTopic It is important to have a topic that is narrow enough to effectively write about for a college paper. Peer pressure > Causes/Effects of peer pressure > Effects of peer pressure on middle school students > Effects of peer pressure on middle school boys > How middle school peer pressure creates boy bullies
• 9.
  Narrowing a BroadTopic Make Lists- write a broad topic down. Underneath it, list all the more narrow topic that fall into that category. You may find that sub-topics from the first list could even generate their own list!
• 10.
  Narrowing a BroadTopic Make “mind” maps- First write down a broad topic. Next, write anything you associate with this topic around it. Once you have everything mapped out, it is easier to see what can generate just enough writing material.