Rustlin’ up some COMMON TOPICS

From Writer to Writer by Arthur W. Biddle

By asking the following questions of your topic, you will be seeking to uncover not merely an approach to a subject but an idea or insight that moves you to write about that subject. 

1.         Define your subject. What are its characteristics or qualities? What are its limits?

2.         Compare how your subject is similar other subjects. In what ways are they alike?

3.       Contrast how your subject is different than other subjects. How does it differ from things it might otherwise resemble? Is it a difference of degree or of kind? 

4.         Divide and analyze your subject’s different parts. What goes to make it up?

5.         Classify your subject. To what larger structure or class does it belong?

6.         Analyze how the subject functions. How does it work?

7.         Analyze the cause of your subject. What conditions are necessary for its existence? 

8.         Analyze your subject’s effects. What results might be anticipated from its existence?

9.         What is the value of your subject? What are its advantages? What are its disadvantages?

10.       What do others say about his subject?

In answering these questions, you will gain a greater perspective of what parts of the subject you know best, hold the most interest and are most relevant to the assignment.  Keep in mind that a topic should be something you don’t mind living with for a while as you will be spending much time on it.