2. Choosing a topic
• You must choose your topic from an Approved List
of SQA topics (which your teacher will give you)
• Choose a topic which interests you – this will
make it easier for you to do well
• Don’t choose a topic if you’re not sure you
understand what it means or involves

3. What topic should you pick?
When choosing a topic, consider the following issues:
• Is it something you are interested in?
• What do you already know about this issue?
• Why do you think it is an important topic?
• What primary and secondary sources will you
use? Will you be able to easily access these?

4. Factors and sub-issues
After choosing an overall topic, you consider the
factors and sub-issues you will examine
• Factor The features of your topic which
will be investigated before reaching
a conclusion
• Sub-issue Other issues which will be
considered as part of each factor

5. EXAMPLE: Factors and sub-issues
How far did policies in the Third Reich, 1933-1939,
achieve the aims of the Nazis?
Nazi policies
• Social
• Economic
• Racial
• Foreign
• Military
Economic – sub-issues
• Actions to increase
employment
• Actions to improve workplace
conditions
• Actions to economically
benefit key supporters