Educator

Choosing a Topic

• Look at the prompt. What kind of prompt is it? (For the five kinds of prompts and how to answer them, see Lesson 2.)
• Look for key words in the prompt that will tell you its main idea, and choose a topic that addresses that idea.
• Listen for the tone of the question to detect its theme, and make sure you interpret your topic in a way that aligns with that theme.
• Look for technical specifications (like word count or formatting requirements) that may influence your choice of topic.
• Analyze the quote or anecdote you’ve been given (if any).
  • Look at the literal meaning.
  • Look at the metaphorical meaning.
  • Look at the context, both in the source and in the author’s life.
  • Look at how others have interpreted the quote or anecdote.
  • Do a little research. How do your ideas intersect with what the question asks? Is there anything you need to find out before you can write? Is there a “hidden” topic in your area of interest that would make a good essay?
  • Write what you know. Search your own knowledge and experiences for ideas. Stay on topic, but tell a good story too.
  • When in doubt, remember what Flannery O’Connor said: “Anybody who has survived his childhood has enough information about life to last him the rest of his days.” You have at least one good topic in you—it’s your job to find it.