Selecting a topic for an essay. UNLV - Composition 102 PowerPoint Author: Becky Bosshart

1. Tiffany Wong
Amar Bhatti
Denisse Ruiz

2.  What type of paper am I preparing?
 Who is my audience?
 How can I select a good topic?
 What kinds of topics should I avoid?

3.  Study your assignment and understand the
type of project it is.
 Expository
◦ Informing
 Analytic
◦ Analyzing
 Argumentative
◦ Persuading

4.  Are they informed or uninformed about your
topic?

5. Choosing from assigned topics
 Select from the list, develop a claim or approach.
Finding a course related topic
 write about what interests you.
Selecting a topic without any guidelines
 Narrow your subject area- use electronic databases
 Look over class notes, see what interests you
 Consider college based issues
 Freewrite, brainstorm, ask questions.

6.  Topics that are IRRELEVANT.
 Topics that are broad subject areas.
 Topics that can be fully researched with only
one source.
 Biographical studies.
 Topics that produce a strong emotional
response in you.
 Topics that are too technical for you.