Choosing a TopicStep #1

Surge has a project in his English class. He has to write a 3-6 page paper about any topic he chooses. Where to begin??

Where can I get a topic idea?

Where can I get a topic idea?

0Course materialWhat are you learning about in class?

Where can I get a topic idea?

0Course materialWhat are you learning about in class?

0AssignmentDoes the assignment give you any topic ideas?

Where can I get a topic idea?

0Course materialWhat are you learning about in class?

0AssignmentDoes the assignment give you any topic ideas?

0Current literature in the fieldLook at articles from magazines and journals in your field of study for ideas.

Where can I get a topic idea?

0NewsWhat’s happening in the world right now?

Where can I get a topic idea?

0NewsWhat’s happening in the world right now?

0Personal interestsIs there an appropriate subject you’re passionate about you could use?

Where can I get a topic idea?

0NewsWhat’s happening in the world right now?

0Personal interestsIs there an appropriate subject you’re passionate about you could use?

0ProfessorYour professor might be willing to give you some ideas.

Where can I get a topic idea?

Remember, your professor might have specific instructions or parameters for your topic, so keep those

in mind!

Surge decides to follow his interests … he has dreams of being a rock star someday. So he chooses the music industry as his topic.

Developing a Research Question

Once you have a topic …

… it’s time to turn it into a question you can answer with your research.

Developing a Research Question

What about Surge’s topic, the music industry? His question might be

What skills and training are required to be successful in the music industry?

Background Information

Before going any further, you might want to get some background information about your topic.

Background Information

So what is background information?

Background information consists of the basic facts and vocabulary associated with your topic.

Background InformationYou can find background information in sources like

Encyclopedias

Background InformationYou can find background information in sources like

Encyclopedias

Dictionaries

Background InformationYou can find background information in sources like

Encyclopedias

Dictionaries

and Handbooks

Background InformationYou can find background information in sources like

Encyclopedias

Dictionaries

and Handbooks

You can also find information online, but be careful—it might be inaccurate!

Background InformationUsing the reference collection at the library, Surge found lots of good background information on his topic. He learned:

Background InformationUsing the reference collection at the library, Surge found lots of good background information on his topic. He learned:

1. The music industry consists of people who make money by creating or selling music.

Background InformationUsing the reference collection at the library, Surge found lots of good background information on his topic. He learned:

1. The music industry consists of people who make money by creating or selling music.2. Professionals in the music industry include musicians, producers, recording engineers, talent managers, radio broadcasters, and many others.

Background InformationUsing the reference collection at the library, Surge found lots of good background information on his topic. He learned:

1. The music industry consists of people who make money by creating or selling music.2. Professionals in the music industry include musicians, producers, recording engineers, talent managers, radio broadcasters, and many others.3. The music industry has drastically changed since the advent of digital music creation and distribution.

Identify Keywords

Once you have your question, it’s time to brainstorm some keywords.

Keywords help you expand your perspective about a topic and find search terms to use in the

catalog and databases.

Identify Keywords

From your research question, identify 2-4 important words or phrases. Underline them.

What skills and training are required to be successful in the music industry?

Identify Keywords

From your research question, identify 2-4 important words or phrases. Underline them.

What skills and training are required to be successful in the music industry?

Identify Keywords

Now brainstorm some words that are related to those important words and list them below.

Don’t be picky right now, just list the first words

that come into your head!

And don’t forget to use the background information you found for inspiration!

Identify KeywordsTopic Question: What skills and training are required to be

successful in the music industry?

Identify KeywordsTopic Question: What skills and training are required to be

successful in the music industry?

Skills & TrainingSuccessful

Music Industry

Identify KeywordsTopic Question: What skills and training are required to be

successful in the music industry?

Skills & Training

• Ability• Knowledge• Experience• Talent• Digital music

creation

Successful

• Popular• Recognized• Sell• Talent• Create

Music Industry

• Rock band• Popular music• Entertainment• Producer• Radio broadcaster

Identify Keywords

Once you have a strong list, you can always add or remove words as you do your research.

Use these words in the catalog and databases to narrow and expand your search.

Surge has lots of keywords to use in his searching. He decides to search for “music industry” AND ability. Let’s see what results he gets!

Surge has lots of keywords to use in his searching. He decides to search for “music industry” AND ability. Let’s see what results he gets!

Looking good, Surge! Now get researching!

Questions?

If you have questions, don’t hesitate to ask a librarian at libref@gsw.edu!