Choosing an appropriate topic is important and worth spending a bit of time investigating. It is important that the topic you choose is appropriate in scope and focus. For example, choosing "world hunger" as your topic would not be appropriate for a ten-page paper. The topic of "world hunger" is extensive and complex and a ten page paper would be very insufficient to appropriately address this topic. If you want to write your paper on world hunger, it then becomes necessary to refine the topic to a portion of the broad level topic. Some aspects you might choose to focus on could be causes of world hunger; child hunger; malnutrition; food production; food security; etc. Consulting with your professor is a good idea, too!
The link below will take you to a page from Purdue University's Online Writing Lab about the importance of choosing an appropriate topic.
Identifying the various aspects of a topic can be challenging. The RIT Library currently subscribes to two databases that focus on controversial issues. These databases are very helpful in presenting all sides of a controversial topic and can help you in better forming your topic selection. The databases are:
Opposing Viewpoints in Context: Select issues are displayed across the center of the page, but you can also click on the "Browse Issues" link located on the right half of the toolbar. The "Browse Issues" link will allow you to view a full list of topics or choose by subject categories in the drop down menu. There is also a search box in the top left of the home page that allows you to search by a particular topic you may have in mind. Results for any topic will be separated by content type, i.e., academic journals, magazines, viewpoint article, primary sources, statistics, reference, etc. This database serves as a good starting point to better understand your topic and launch a more thorough search using the library's subject databases.
CQ Research Online: From this database you can also search by keyword in the search box at the top right of the screen or by the "Browse Topics" link in the toolbar. The CQ Researcher Online covers reporting and analysis of political and social issues, including topics in health, international affairs, education, environment, technology, economy, etc.
Use of RIT resources is reserved for current RIT students, faculty
and staff for academic and teaching purposes only.
Please contact your librarian with any questions.
