Developing Your Topic: Home

This guide offers instruction and helpful tips on how to develop your topic for an academic paper or class assignment.

Welcome!

Start Your Research by Developing Your Topic

Get started as early as possible. Don't wait until the last minute. Never underestimate how time-consuming research can be.

The Assignment Planner is a really useful source that divides the writing process into scheduled sections and has helpful tips and links for each section.

Understand the assignment. Make sure that you read your instructions thoroughly and carefully. Don't make assumptions. If you have any questions, concerns, or problems, talk with your instructor.

Helpful Links for More Information

How to Find and Develop a Viable Research Topic
By the Olin & Uries Libraries at Cornell University.
Research Tips
This links to helpful information from the University of Victoria, like why develop a research topic and tips for developing your topic.
Thinking Tool: Choosing a Topic and Search Terms
A tool to help you organize your ideas by the University of Virginia Library.
Deciphering Your Assignment
The following video created by CLIP and hosted by Lane Community College explains the first steps you should take before starting your research. It is designed to help undergraduate students deconstruct an assignment into its basic parts and identify appropriate sources to complete it successfully.