Often, choosing your topic can be the hardest part of the assignment. Where do you start? If your instructor has already chosen a topic for you, or if she or he has given you certain guidelines or restrictions to follow when selecting your topic, your task has been simplified. If, on the other hand, you must choose your own topic, there are several ways to go about doing so. Be sure to look at the topics suggested by the Richland College Library.
USING PRINT SOURCES TO SELECT A TOPIC
Research Papers
and Speeches: Writing Guides and Idea Sources
(Library of Congress call numbers are included for books.)
A Simple List of Possible Topics
Many libraries may have list of suggested topics at their reference desk. Always stop by the reference desk at the library and ask if such a list is available.
The Best Guide for Writing Research Papers
Lester, James D. Writing Research Papers: A Complete Guide. 8th ed. New York: HarperCollins, 1996. (LB 2369 .L4 1976). Chapters on finding a topic, gathering data, taking notes, writing the paper, handling the format and mechanics of your paper, preparing the works cited list, and a list of reference sources by discipline. Especially note basic writing formulas, pages 87-90.
Idea Sources for All Subjects
- Lamm, Kathryn. 10,000 Ideas for Term Papers, Projects, and Reports. New York: Prentice, 1987. (LB1047.3.L35 1987).
- Miller, Walter James. Sourcebook for English Papers: 1001 Ideas for Term Papers, Projects, Reports, and Speeches. New York: Prentice, 1987. (PE1478.M54 1987).
- Powell, David. What Can I Write About? 7000 Topics for High School Students. Urbana: NCTE, 1981. (LB1631.P66).
Idea Sources for Identifying Significant National
Issues
(These are periodicals.)
- CQ Researcher. 4 per month.
- Current. Monthly. 1974-.
Help for Writing Reviews of All Kinds
- Rivers, William L. Writing Opinion Reviews. Ames: Iowa State UP, 1988. (PN 4784 .R4 R58 1988).
Idea Sources and Writing Guides in Specific Disciplines
|
Art Business History Literature and Film Philosophy and Religion Social Science |
- Barnet, Sylvan. A Short Guide to Writing about Art. 4rd ed. Glenview:
Scott, 1993. (N 7476 .B37 1985)
- Morris, David. Guidelines for Case Analysis. Chicago:
American Marketing Association, 1993. (HD58.7.M68).
- Farmer, Robert A. 1000 Ideas for Term Papers in American History.
New York: Arco, 1969. (E175.8.F35).- Marius, Richard. A Short Guide to Writing about History.
Boston: Little, 1988.
LITERATURE AND FILM
- Barnet, Sylvan. A Short Guide to Writing about Literature.
5th ed. Glenview: Scott, 1985. (PN 81 .B35).- Corrigan, Timothy. A Short Guide to Writing about Film.
Glenview: Scott, 1989. (PN 1995 .C66).- Roberts, Edgar V. Writing Themes about Literature.
5th ed. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice, 1983. (PE 1408 .R593).- Farmer, Robert. 1000 Ideas for English Term Papers.
New York: Arco, 1967. ( PR35.F3).- Griffith, Kelley. Writing Essays about Literature: A Guide and Style Sheet.
4th ed. San Diego: Harcourt, 1994. (PN 83 .G72).
PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGION
- Uttal, Bro. 1000 Ideas for Term Papers in Philosophy and Religion.
New York: Arco, 1973. (B52.U87).
- Farmer, Robert, and Paul Frobose. 1000 Ideas for Term Papers in
Social Science. New York: Arco, 1970. (H62.F35).- Cuba, Lee J. A Short Guide to Writing about Social Science.
Glenview: Scott, 1988. (H 91 .C78).
USING INTERNET SOURCES TO SELCT A TOPIC
Browsing and surfing the following web sites can help you to see what type of information is available through the Internet. By investigating these web sites, you may be able to settle upon a topic. Many of these sites are encyclopedia-like in their design and may be referred to again later in this tutorial.
- The Best Information On The Net - maintained by O'Keefe Library, St. Ambrose University - A Librarian's Guide to the Best Information on the Net - Hot Paper Topics
- Google Issues - Links to major issues that affect society.
- Yahoo - multiple links to issues and causes.
- The Internet Public Library Ready Reference Collection - Topics with links.
- Richland College Library Research Paper Topics List - Topics only - no links.