The following steps used in selecting essay topic 1. Write about what you know 2.
Identify your audience 3. Decide on the purpose of the essay 4. Select a topic that will interest your audience
You need to decide the pattern of your essay organization
What causes people to lose their jobs? (cause and effect)
UNEMPLOYMENT
How to combat Unemployment? (Problem Solution)
Unemployment in Indonesia in the 60s and in the 90s (Comparison and Contrast)
What causes people to have speaking anxiety? (Cause-Effect)
Speaking Anxiety
How to overcome the speaking Anxiety? (Problem-Solution)
Speaking anxiety experienced by high school and university student. (Comparison-Contrast)
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It needs to do the following steps, if you want to choose your research topic:
Brainstorm for ideas Read general background information Focus on manageable topic Make a list of useful keywords Be flexible Define your topic as a focused research question Research and read more about your topic Formulate a thesis statement (WSU Stewart Library)
Step 1: BRAINSTORM YOUR IDEA Choose a topic that interests you
You may use the following questions to generate your topic idea:
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Do you have a strong opinion on current teaching strategy? Did you read a newspaper article, journal, book, or other learning sources which triggered your curiosity? Do you have a personal issue, problem , or interest that youd like to know more about? Is there an aspect of one of your courses you are interested in learning more about?
Step 2: Read General Background Information
Read a general encyclopedia article on the top two or three topics you are considering; to get an overview or see how your idea relates to broader, narrower and related issues 2. Read magazine, journal, or newspaper article on the topic; use article databases 3. Find web sites which relate to your topic
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Step 3: Focus on Your Topic
Keep it manageable; it is very difficult to research if it is too broad or too narrow your topic: teaching strategy; by performance of teacher, by subject matter, by interaction with students, etc 1. Avoid broadly interdisciplinary topic
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Step 4: make a list of useful keywords
Look for words that best describe your topic These words will be found in the reading you do while selecting your topic 3. Find synonyms, broader and narrower terms for each key word you find in order to expand your search capabilities
Step 5: be flexible
You are free to modify your topic during the research process
Step 6: define your topic as a focused research question for example;
Idea: Teaching strategy can achieve the students academic score Research question: in what term do the teaching strategy achieve the student academic score? A focused research question: what is the most effective strategy used to motivate students to learn?
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Step 7: research and read more about your topic
Use the key words you have gathered to research in catalog, article database, and internet search engine 2. You will need to do some research and reading before you select your final topic
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Step 8: formulate a thesis statement
Write your topic as a thesis statement; thesis statement could be one or two sentences that state precisely what is to be answered, proven, or what you will inform your audience about your topic 2. the development of thesis assumes that there is sufficient evidence to support the thesis statement 3. The title of your paper may not be exactly the same as your research question or thesis statement
