Finding a Term Paper Topic

What is a good topic for a term paper?

When students are choosing a term paper topic, they should remember that they will have to write about that topic for 10 pages, at least. So, students should keep the following in mind.
1. It should be a topic that interests the student.
2. It should be "researchable."
-It must be a topic that experts have discussed in magazines, speeches, etc.
3. It should be "arguable."
-You will be required to create a thesis statement, so there must be at least
2 differing views on the topic.
-Research should provide experts who have differed in their points of view on the topic.

How do you create a thesis statement?

Because the student has chosen a topic that is arguable, the thesis is the argument the student will make. The thesis should be only one sentence and should clearly define your stand on the topic you've chosen.

Step-by-Step

Step One: finding a topic

Let's use the example of the student John. the first thing he must do is determine what he is really interests him and he determines that History really interests him and he could write about any number of historical topics with ease. he thinks about it and his favorite topic from history is the rise and fall of the Roman Empire. So his topic will be about the Roman Empire...but this is just his topic. it is only the first step.

Step Two: creating a thesis

For a thesis, he will have to determine what the arguments have been over the years about the Roman Empire and then choose one that he wants to prove true in his paper.

For example: Arguments about the Roman Empire have included...
-The Roman Empire was doomed to fall because of its excessiveness.
-The Roman Empire had lasting effects on the future of warfare and politics, as well as economics.
-The Roman Empire was only as good as its rulers.
-The Roman Empire provides a guideline for future civilizations to follow to succeed, as well as to fail.

John finds the idea of rulers determining the success or failure of an Empire intriguing, so his thesis reads: The Roman Empire succeeded and failed because of the emperors who were in power during that time.

Step Three: ensuring your thesis will work

Now that John has a topic and a thesis, he must determine whether his thseis will "fly." He has to go to the library and find research on the specific information he will need for his thesis. If he finds at least four sources for his thesis, it is likely that the paper will "work out." If he cannot find at least four sources, he will need to go back to Step Two, decide on a different argument, create another thesis and then move to Step Three.

Need more help?

  • How to Structure a Term Paper
  • How to Research
  • How to Quote
  • How to Create a Works Cited List 1