Writing - Topic
Focusing Your Topic
Explore these concepts:
- Choose a subject or area of interest.
- Focus it.
- Narrow and shape your subject into a specific thesis sentence.
Begin
Ancient Crete
General Subject of Interest
When given a writing assignment, read or listen very carefully to what the assignment is about.
Then, consider your area of interest in choosing your topic
For example, let's say you wanted to write about the island of Crete.
Would you be able to cover the topic in the number of pages your instructor has assigned?
- History
- migration
- wars (Ottomans, Venetians, Turks, Germans …)
- People
- origin
- culture
- customs
- foods
- myths
- Land
- resources
- terrain
- crops
- caves
- beaches
- mountains
- gorges
- climate
Too much! This would require a few books.
Focus It
Narrow Your Interest
People
- Minoans
- People
- Culture
- Customs
- Foods
- Myths
- Architecture
- Games
Still too much to cover in a 3- 5 page essay.
This would easily fill a book.
Focus It More
Narrow Your Interest More
Minoan People
But can't decide between:
- customs
- palace design
Focus it Again
Bath Rooms with plumbing, Game Court
Checking available resources
Do a bit of research and background reading.
Which topic has better resources making you want to get into the subject more?
Read so that you can be knowledgeable on the subject.
Minoan Palace Design
Subject Focus: Complete!
Now, narrow and shape your subject into a specific topic:
Broad Subject: |
Palace Design (functional design) |
Narrowed Topic: |
The
features of the Palace of Knossos |
Research Question: |
What do the features of the Palace Knossos reveal
about the lifestyle of the Minoans? |
Thesis Statement: |
The features of the Palace Knossos reveal
a great deal about the lifestyle of the Minoans who lived within
the palace. |
NOTE: Your thesis statement includes your position on the topic. See next link.
Index Grammar-Quizzes | Previous Writing Plan Guide | Next Writing a Thesis Sentence