Selecting a Topic Focus on a subject that you are interested in and meets the requirements of the assignment. Review your class notes and readings, brainstorm with classmates, talk to professors, surf the Internet and browse periodicals for ideas. Explore the subject thinking of ways to develop it.
Subject encyclopedias are available in nearly every discipline.
They provide an overview and give background information on each topic covered. Subject encyclopedias provide clues to the terminology, personalities, and events related to your topic. Many also include a selective bibliography of important titles for further research. Read an article that relates to your assignment and begin to focus on an aspect you find interesting. Phrase your research inquiry in the form of a question.