Choosing a Topic for an Assignment

As a college instructor, it is interesting to me to see how frustrated many students often get when they are given a certain amount of freedom. I have noticed that when a professor allows a student to choose any topic for a paper, or a speech, students often have trouble deciding what they should do. This has always amazed me as students can pick just about anything, something they enjoy or like, and they still have trouble. If you are fortunate enough to have such an assignment, you should keep a number of tips in mind.

First and foremost, your topic should always be something in which you are interested. Make sure to actually give this some consideration and thought. This is especially true if your teacher needs to approve a topic ahead of time. A number of students fall into the trap of not thinking about the topic, then needing to quickly come up with a topic, only to decide s/he is not really interested in the topic and to regret choosing it.

Second, your topic should always fit into one of two categories. Either it should be something that you already know about, or it should be something you want to learn about. For the most part college students would rather pick a topic they already know about because there is less research and work, or at least that is the perception college students have. Still, a student who may be experiencing something new in his or her life might want to do the research. This could range from an expectant parent who wants to do research on child raising to a student first getting interested in a new sport or hobby and wanting to find out more about it. In either case, it should still meet the first criteria of being a topic in which the student is interested.

Third, it is always a good idea to know the teacher's preferences. This is not to say you need to use a topic in which the professor is interested, but know if any topic truly means any topic. I know of one professor who does not like her students to use the 'traditional' topics for a research paper, such as abortion or capitol punishment. I know of another professor who was embarrassed because a student chose to give a demonstration speech on the proper technique of French Kissing. A third professor enjoyed papers that tackled issues relating to sex. It is helpful to know what limits, if any, are imposed.

Fourth, you want to make sure the topic meets the assignment. If you are assigned a persuasive paper to write, do not write and informative one. If you are supposed to be working on a demonstration speech, don't give a persuasive one. On the other hand, know that you can manipulate one type of speech to be another kind. I would, however, recommend checking with the instructor first to make sure s/he sees it this way. One student who needed to deliver a persuasive speech wanted to do a demonstration speech on how to make 'No bake' cookies. I suggested that she actually deliver a persuasive speech convincing us that 'No bake' cookies should be appreciated just as much as someone who engages in 'traditional' baking, even though most people wouldn't consider it 'real' baking. Part of the way she could make her argument was to show how to make the cookies.

It is important to keep in mind that most teachers are looking for some research. Even if it is a topic you know about, even if you are taking a non-traditional approach, you should always show that you have done research.

So, the next time you have that assignment where the teacher provides maximum flexibility, don't fret it or get frustrated, enjoy it.