Information Literacy Guide | Defining the Task Resources | Site Outline

 

Defining the Task: Choosing a topic
  1. Choosing a Topic
  2. Refining the Topic
  3. Organizing your Thinking

Before you write your first word, draw your first line, record your first scene, make you first cut, sing your first note ....you need to start with a topic.

 

 

 

Choosing a Topic

Where do TOPICS come from?

Your teacher assigns them - Make sure you understand the purpose of your assigned topic. Before you get too far into it, ask if you are headed in the right direction.
Your interests - If you could spend your time learning about anything, what would it be?
Places you've been - Think geographically and historically and consider places you have imagined.
People you have met - Not just the rich and famous. An interesting friend will often make a good research topic.
Books you have read - Browse the shelves to jog your memory
Videos you have seen - TV? Movies? Home videos?
Magazines you have looked at - National Geographic and Kids Discover are just two of the good browsing magazines you can probably find in your library. Ask the librarian for other suggestions.
Things you have always wondered about - What are the big questions you have always wanted to ask?
Things you have opinions about - This isn't as easy as it sounds. This choice will require information as well as strong feelings and a willingness to explore the opposite side.

On to the next section...Refining the topic

 

 

 

 

Defining Locating Selecting Organizing Presenting Evaluating

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Last modified: October, 2003 by Steinke, Ague, Feuerhelm, Maxwell, and Warburg