TCC Library: Choosing a Good Topic

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Choosing a good topic

When picking a topic, consider the following criteria:

1. Assignment's purpose:

Make sure you understand your assignment’s purpose. Are you supposed to take a side in an existing argument, explain a problem, propose a position, describe a project or process, or do something else?

2.  Audience

Make sure you understand your audience and their expectations. Your audience may be your instructor, or your assignment sheet may identify an audience for your work. If you don’t know what their interests are, or what types of sources they will find convincing, find out.

3. Evidence

Be clear about the types of evidence you should use. If you have to use specific types of sources, make sure that you choose a topic that is discussed in those sources. For example, if you have to use scholarly sources, make sure that you choose a topic that researchers are studying.

4. Talk with your instructor

The best persons to tell you how well a topic could work are your instructors. They understand the point of the assignment, and they will be evaluating your final product or paper.